One Shipment by Sea, One by Air — How Should the Description of Goods Appear on the B/L?

When part of an LC shipment goes by sea and another part goes by air, things can get a little tricky with document presentation.

Should the Bill of Lading still reflect both items listed in the credit, or only the goods actually shipped by that mode of transport?

Let’s look at what ISBP 821 says — and how to apply it in practice.

QUESTION

Dear Sir,

Good day!

I have a situation wherein my description of goods in the L/C appears as follows:

1. XXXX – Quantity: 1 set
2. YYYY – Quantity: 1 set

As per Proforma Invoice No. ABCD, dated 01.Sep.2025

• For shipment by vessel:

Incoterms 2020 FCA any port in India

• For shipment by air:

Incoterms 2020 EXW any airport in India

The situation is that XXXX is shipped by sea and YYYY is shipped by air.

What should be the description of goods shown on the Bill of Lading?

Can it be as follows:

1. XXXX – Quantity: 1 set
2. YYYY – Quantity: 1 set

As per Proforma Invoice No. ABCD, dated 01. Sep.2025

Incoterms 2020 FCA any port in India

or

XXXX – Quantity: 1 set

As per Proforma Invoice No. ABCD, dated 01. Sep.2025

Incoterms 2020 FCA any port in India

Regards,

C.R. Nishanth

_________

ANSWER

Dear Nishanth,

Thank you for your question.

From your description, XXXX is shipped by sea and YYYY by air. You would like to know how the description of goods should appear on the Bill of Lading.

According to ISBP 821 paragraph C4, the description of goods on an invoice must reflect what has actually been shipped, delivered, or provided. For example, when a credit requires shipment of “10 trucks and 5 tractors,” and only 4 trucks have been shipped, an invoice may indicate shipment of only 4 trucks—provided that partial shipment is not prohibited. The invoice may also include the full description appearing in the credit (10 trucks and 5 tractors), as long as it clearly identifies what was actually shipped.

Although paragraph C4 refers to invoices, the same principle applies to transport documents such as the Bill of Lading:

the description should accurately represent the goods actually shipped under that document.

Accordingly, for the sea shipment of XXXX, the Bill of Lading may state:

XXXX – Quantity: 1 set

As per Proforma Invoice No. ABCD, dated 01.Sep.2025

Incoterms 2020 FCA [actual port name], India

Note: As per ISBP 821 paragraph E6(g), when a credit indicates a range or area of ports of loading (e.g., “any European port” or “Hamburg/Rotterdam/Antwerp port”), the Bill of Lading must indicate the actual port of loading, which must be within that range.

I hope this clarifies your issue.

Best regards,

Mr. Old Man