Glossary term
Original Bill of Lading
A signed original of a bill of lading, one of which must usually be surrendered to obtain the goods.
Bills of lading are issued in a set of signed originals, conventionally three. Surrendering one gives up the right to the goods and the others stand void.
Because the paper controls the cargo, losing a full set is a serious problem: the carrier will normally release only against a court order or an indemnity backed by a bank. Sending all originals in one courier package is a risk that is taken more often than it should be.