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1. Overview: What Are MBL and HBL in International Logistics?

In global trade, the Bill of Lading (B/L) is a critical document that proves cargo ownership and facilitates customs clearance, freight release, and L/C (Letter of Credit) payments.

There are two primary types:

Master Bill of Lading (MBL): Issued by the carrier or its agent.
House Bill of Lading (HBL): Issued by the freight forwarder or their agent.

Understanding the key differences helps businesses choose the right document for secure and efficient international shipping.

2. When to Use Master Bill and When to Use House Bill

You can obtain a B/L through two main booking channels:

Booking directly with a carrier: You receive an MBL where your company is listed as the Shipper and your buyer (or their freight agent) as the Consignee.
Booking via a freight forwarder: The carrier issues an MBL to the forwarder. The forwarder then issues an HBL to you, with your company as Shipper and your buyer as Consignee.

In many cases, you can request the forwarder to provide the original MBL (OBL) with Shipper and Consignee reflecting your exact trade parties to meet banking or compliance requirements.

3. Master Bill vs House Bill – Key Differences

Criteria	Master Bill (MBL)	House Bill (HBL)
Issuer	Carrier or carrier’s agent	Freight forwarder or their agent
Purpose of Use	Official document for customs and port release	Logistics document between actual Shipper and Forwarder
Parties Involved	Shipper/Consignee are usually forwarder’s agents	Shipper/Consignee are the actual seller and buyer
Governing International Convention	Yes (Hague Rules, Hamburg Rules)	Not applicable
Flexibility for Amendments	Less flexible – only carrier or agent can amend	More flexible – forwarder can reissue with updates
Risk Level	Lower risk – carrier assumes responsibility	Higher risk if forwarder lacks credibility
Legal Validity	Recognized for L/C international payments	Legally valid for domestic/forwarder contracts and sometimes for L/C depending on forwarder credibility

4. Real-World Example

Let’s say Company A in Vietnam exports to Company B in China and books the shipment through Forwarder C.

MBL: Issued by the carrier to C
→ Shipper: C / Consignee: C’s agent in China
HBL: Issued by C to A
→ Shipper: A / Consignee: B

When the cargo arrives at port, the Consignee (C’s agent) will handle cargo release and coordinate delivery to B. If Company A needs the original bill for L/C purposes, C can help revise the MBL details accordingly.

5. Key Considerations When Using MBL and HBL

Choose MBL when you need high legal security or L/C compliance with banks.
Use HBL for consolidated shipments (LCL) or when working closely with a trusted forwarder managing end-to-end logistics.

Understanding the differences between Master Bill and House Bill helps you minimize risk, align with trade requirements, and ensure smooth cargo release and payment.

We manage thousands of international shipments yearly and provide tailored support on documentation, customs, and freight strategy to keep your global supply chain moving – securely and efficiently.

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Real Logistics Co.,Ltd

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☎️ Hotline: 028.3636.3888 | 0936.386.352

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Master Bill vs. House Bill: Know the Difference, Ship with Confidence

1. Overview: What Are MBL and HBL in International Logistics?

2. When to Use Master Bill and When to Use House Bill

3. Master Bill vs House Bill – Key Differences

4. Real-World Example

5. Key Considerations When Using MBL and HBL

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