Master Bill of Lading

A master bill of lading is the overarching transport document that a carrier issues when multiple individual shipments are consolidated into a single movement. It's most commonly used in ocean freight (where a freight forwarder or NVOCC consolidates cargo from multiple shippers into one container) and in LTL (where the carrier's master BOL covers all freight on a trailer moving between terminals). The master BOL is the carrier's contract with the consolidator or primary shipper – it represents the full physical load, not the individual consignments within it.

Underneath the master BOL sit individual house bills of lading, each representing a specific shipper's freight within the consolidated shipment. The house BOL is the contract between the individual shipper and the freight forwarder or consolidator. This two-tier structure is essential for international ocean freight – the steamship line sees and manages the master BOL, while each shipper deals with their house BOL through their forwarder. At the destination port, the master BOL is used for customs clearance of the container, and individual house BOLs are used to release each shipper's portion of the cargo.

Understanding the master-versus-house BOL distinction matters for visibility and accountability. If you're shipping LCL (less than container load) ocean freight or using a forwarder who consolidates, your tracking visibility may only extend to the house BOL level – you'll know your forwarder received the freight, but real-time container-level tracking may depend on having the master BOL reference. In dispute situations, the master BOL governs the carrier's liability for the overall container, while the house BOL governs the forwarder's liability to the individual shipper. Keeping clear records of both – and understanding which document controls at each stage – is critical for claims and compliance.