Sea Waybill
A Sea Waybill is a non-negotiable ocean transport document. Like a bill of lading it evidences the contract of carriage and receipt of the goods, but unlike a bill of lading it is not a document of title — the named consignee takes delivery simply by identifying themselves, without surrendering an original document.
Because no original needs to travel to the destination, a sea waybill speeds up release and avoids the delays and risks of couriering original bills. It is ideal when the goods are not going to be sold or financed in transit — for example shipments between related companies or on open-account terms. Where the goods must be traded or used as security, a negotiable bill of lading is used instead.
The sea waybill removes a whole category of delay and risk — the original bill of lading in the post. When there is no need to trade the goods in transit, it lets cargo be released on arrival by identity alone, which is faster, cheaper and safer than negotiable bills. Knowing when it is (and is not) appropriate is a core documentation decision.
Is a sea waybill a document of title?
No — it is non-negotiable and cannot be used to trade or pledge the goods in transit; the named consignee simply takes delivery.
When should I use a sea waybill instead of a bill of lading?
When the goods will not be sold or financed in transit — for example intra-company shipments or open-account trade.