Carrier lost my original bill of lading: what now?
Notify the bill issuer, carrier and destination agent immediately, preserve the custody evidence and request a written lost-original release procedure. Ask a UK shipping solicitor to review any indemnity before signing, even if the carrier lost the document. Cambridge China Bridge can coordinate supplier-side records through its staff in China.
Notify everyone handling the document
Tell the issuer, carrier, forwarder and destination agent in writing that the original is missing. Notify the supplier and any bank handling the shipping documents. Distinguish confirmed loss from an unexplained delay. Ask the carrier to acknowledge what happened, identify the person managing the case and explain how it will flag the missing document against the shipment.
Clarify whether the shipping line lost it or a document courier lost it. Preserve dispatch instructions, tracking, handover receipts, scans and the carrier's admission. Record who last held the originals and which remain accounted for. Our bill of lading and release guide covers document choices; this guide addresses the loss response and proposed indemnity.
Get the alternative release conditions in writing
HMRC describes presenting an original as evidence of title to receive the goods. Do not assume a scan or replacement printout will secure delivery. Ask the issuer for its specific lost-original procedure and the destination agent's acceptance. If there are house and master bills, obtain an approved release plan for each.
Ask whether the proposal involves replacement documents or release without original presentation. Request the exact supporting documents, identity checks, signatures, indemnity wording and any bank guarantee or other security being requested. Ask how outstanding originals will be handled if found. Treat these as conditions to confirm for this shipment, rather than assume a standard checklist applies.
Review the indemnity before agreeing
Request the complete proposed indemnity and any guarantee terms before agreeing to them. Ask who would sign, who would benefit, which shipment it covers and what losses, legal costs or security demands the wording includes. Ask about its duration, any financial limit and how it would be discharged. Check for statements about document custody or entitlement that you cannot verify.
Because the carrier lost the document, ask it to explain why it wants your indemnity and propose who should fund the release solution. Keep that discussion separate from approval of the wording. Do not accept an oral assurance that the form is harmless or sign a statement blaming your business when the records show otherwise.
Brief a UK shipping solicitor before signing
Send a UK solicitor experienced in shipping disputes the bill copy, carriage terms, custody evidence, payment records, bank correspondence and complete release proposal. Ask them to assess the proposed obligations, any governing-law or dispute clause, your position against the party that lost the document and whether to seek amendments or another release route.
Ask the solicitor to check claim and notification deadlines for your actual documents and circumstances. Contact your insurance broker about the proposed arrangement before committing, and seek written confirmation of any relevant cover. If the carrier requests a bank guarantee, send the guarantee wording to the bank and solicitor together.
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Manage charges and confirm collection
Ask the destination agent for the cargo's location, release status, applicable storage and container charges, and options to reduce further costs. Request a written breakdown and ask the carrier to address costs caused by the document loss. Use our demurrage, detention and storage guide to organise that discussion.
Before booking collection, obtain destination confirmation that the approved document-release conditions have been met, then check customs and outstanding charges separately. Our customs document checklist covers the wider clearance file. Keep the signed documents and release confirmation together. Cambridge China Bridge's staff in China can gather supplier-side records and coordinate with the forwarder.
Frequently asked questions
Who do I tell if my original bill of lading is lost?
Notify the issuer, carrier, forwarder and destination agent in writing. Tell the supplier and any document-handling bank. Preserve tracking and handover evidence, and ask for written acknowledgement of the loss.
Can I use a scanned bill of lading to collect cargo?
Do not assume so. Ask the issuer for its lost-original procedure and obtain destination acceptance of the proposed release route before booking collection.
Should I sign an indemnity if the carrier lost the bill?
Get UK shipping legal advice first. Request the full wording and any guarantee terms. Ask the carrier why it wants your signature and who will fund the solution; its admission of loss does not explain the proposed obligations.
Who pays storage charges after the bill is lost?
Request a written charge breakdown and ask the carrier to address costs caused by the loss. Give your solicitor the carriage terms and custody evidence to assess your position. Ask about cost-reduction options while release is arranged.