Document background
The Memo Bill of Lading emerged as a practical solution in maritime trade to facilitate faster cargo release and simplified documentation processes. Under Hong Kong law, particularly governed by the Bills of Lading and Analogous Shipping Documents Ordinance (Cap. 440), this document serves as a non-negotiable receipt for goods and evidence of the contract of carriage. It is particularly valuable in situations where the same entity acts as both shipper and consignee, in inter-company transfers, or when letter of credit requirements do not specify a negotiable document. While maintaining legal validity, the Memo Bill of Lading offers advantages in terms of operational efficiency and reduced documentation complexity, making it especially suitable for established trading relationships where traditional bill of lading negotiability is unnecessary.
