GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 23, 2026
Clean Bill of Lading
A Clean Bill of Lading is issued by the carrier to confirm that cargo was received and loaded in apparent good order and condition, with no notation of damage, shortage, or discrepancy.
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Source: https://www.marineinsight.com/maritime-law/clean-and-clause-bill-of-lading/
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Logistics Concept
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Definition & Explanation
A Clean Bill of Lading is issued by the carrier to confirm that cargo was received and loaded in apparent good order and condition, with no notation of damage, shortage, or discrepancy. In documentary credit transactions, banks typically require a clean bill as a condition for releasing payment: any clause or reservation signals a potential defect that shifts risk and may cause the bank to reject the document set. It stands in contrast to a Claused—or Unclean—Bill of Lading, which records exceptions noted at the time of loading. For exporters, the clean bill is therefore not merely a transport document but a direct prerequisite for collecting payment under a letter of credit.
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