Seaway Bill

A Seaway Bill (also called a Sea Waybill) is a non-negotiable transport document that serves as a receipt for goods and evidence of the contract of carriage, but unlike a Bill of Lading, it is not a document of title. The named consignee can collect the goods at the destination by proving their identity, without needing to present an original document.

In Freight Forwarding

Seaway Bills are used when there is no need to transfer ownership of goods during transit — typically between trusted trading partners or related companies. They speed up cargo release at destination since there is no need to wait for original documents. However, because they are non-negotiable, they cannot be used in letter of credit transactions that require a negotiable B/L.

How CargoGen Handles It

CargoGen doesn't issue sea waybills as a separate document. For the same effect at destination, a house BL can be released by telex (express release), so no original has to be surrendered.