Document type
Master vs house bill of lading
They describe the same freight at two levels. The master bill of lading is issued by the actual carrier to the freight forwarder and covers the whole consolidated load. A house bill of lading is issued by the forwarder to each individual shipper, covering only that shipper's portion inside the consolidation.
Why it matters
In a consolidated shipment you are not the carrier's customer — the forwarder is. Your house BOL is your contract with the forwarder, and it is the document your claim runs through.
The mistake that costs money
Trying to trace or claim on the master BOL number when you are one shipper inside a consolidation. The carrier's relationship is with the forwarder, and they will point you back to them.
Worth knowing
- One master, many house bills, for a single consolidated load.
- The master names the forwarder as shipper and consignee at each end.
- The house BOL is what an individual shipper receives and claims against.
- Most common in ocean and air freight forwarding rather than domestic LTL.