NVOs, FORWARDERS ASKED TO AVOID VAGUE MASTER BILL OF LADING LANGUAGE

NVOs, FORWARDERS ASKED TO AVOID VAGUE MASTER BILL OF LADING LANGUAGE    Citing pressure from the U.S. Customs Service in certain ports to provide more detailed shipment information, some ocean carriers have told freight forwarders and non-vessel-operating common carriers that they will no longer accept vague descriptions on master-level bills of lading.
   Specifically, forwarders and NVOs have been asked by the carriers to avoid the use of “Said to Contain” and “Shipper’s Load and Count” for master bill of lading descriptions.
   The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association said it understands the pressures carriers face from Customs, and that the group is working closely with the World Shipping Council to clarify the issue.
   “Although the carriers may make this demand for the master bill of lading, they have no say as to how the house bills of lading are prepared,” NCBFAA said. “Consequently … there is no reason for NVOCCs or forwarders to alter the long existing practice of indicating on bills of lading that a container, which is sealed outside of its control, has been loaded subject to ‘shipper’s load and count.’ “
   Additionally, NCBFAA also questioned Customs’ authority on dictating the level of information contained for house bills of lading.
   “Obviously, the USCS (Customs) can insist on what language is properly included on the inward manifest,” NCBFAA said. “However, it also seems clear that the agency does not yet have any authority to dictate what language appears on bills of lading.”