In the freight forwarding industry, the loss of a bill of lading can create significant logistical challenges. When a sea waybill goes missing during courier delivery—particularly with SF Express—the compensation is limited to seven times the shipping fee under SF Express's policy. This typically amounts to approximately 200 yuan (about $30).
The process for handling lost bills of lading generally involves the following steps:
- First, the shipping company requires a deposit equivalent to 120% to 300% of the cargo's value. The exact amount depends on the carrier's requirements and supporting documentation, such as a published notice of loss. This deposit may be held for two to five years, varying by export location. Reissuing the bill of lading must also comply with the shipping company's regulations.
- Alternatively, freight forwarders may submit a bank guarantee to request reissuance, which similarly requires supporting documents and public notification procedures.
Both options—paying the deposit or providing a bank guarantee—present considerable difficulties for freight forwarding companies. Therefore, experts recommend that forwarders always retain both original and copy documents during shipment processing to ensure smooth client delivery. Proper document custody remains the most effective way to mitigate these risks.
