Standards
Who sets the rules for eBLs
Legal recognition, technical interoperability, contract terms, banking rules and insurance cover each come from a different body. This is the map.
- Model lawUNCITRAL
The UN Commission on International Trade Law adopted the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) in 2017. It sets out when an electronic record can do the job of a paper transferable document such as a bill of lading.
Source: MLETR text and status ↗ - Technical standardDCSA
The Digital Container Shipping Association publishes an eBL standard covering original bills of lading and sea waybills, with open APIs, and works with eBL providers on technical and legal interoperability between platforms.
Source: DCSA eBL standard ↗ - Contracts and clausesBIMCO
BIMCO's Electronic Bills of Lading Clause 2014 lets charterers require bills of lading, waybills and delivery orders to be issued electronically under a charter party, using an approved system.
Source: Electronic Bills of Lading Clause 2014 ↗ - Forwarder documentsFIATA
The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations publishes the FIATA Multimodal Bill of Lading (FBL). Its eFBL project lets forwarders issue the document electronically from their existing software, with a way to verify issuer and content.
Source: FIATA on digitalising the FBL ↗ - Digital trade standardsICC Digital Standards Initiative
The International Chamber of Commerce's Digital Standards Initiative works to make trade records exchangeable across the supply chain, focusing on standards, trust and identity.
Source: ICC Digital Standards Initiative ↗ - Insurance approvalInternational Group of P&I Clubs
The International Group publishes the list of electronic bill of lading systems it has approved. Club members choose which approved system suits them.
Source: IG approved eBL systems ↗
Descriptions checked against each organisation's own page on 16 Oct 2026. Detailed guides to each standard are in preparation.