Multi modal Transport Document / Combined Transport Document. A bill of lading issued by a combined transport operator covering the shipment of vehicles/goods by more than one mode of transport. The document specifies the point at which the vehicles/goods are taken up for carriage and the place of delivery.
Combined Transport Document in International Trade
Meaning of Combined Transport Document, according to the Dictionary of International Trade (Global Negotiator). A transport document indicating more than one mode of transportation. For example:
Received for shipment bill of lading indicating that pre-carriage from an inland originating point as well as main carriage transport were handled by the main carrier. So, the Airwaybill showing than pre-carriage from the shipment originating point as well as the main carriage was handled by the main carrier.
The Combined Transport Document is also known as Multimodal transportation. The Multimodal transportation document is the movement of one unit load from origin to destination by several methods or transportation under one document without breaking up the unit load. The multimodal bill of lading document is a transport document that is evidencing more than one mode of transport. One of which is typically by sea shipment. The bill of lading for combined transport document is another name of the multimodal bill of lading.
Types of Multimodal Transport Documents:
Multimodal transport bills of lading can be classified under two main types. Multimodal transport bill of lading and through bill of lading.
A complete multimodal transport document should contain the following elements:
- Name of the carrier or multimodal transport operator with a signature identified as that of carrier. Transport operator or ship’s master or agent for or on behalf of either the carrier, transport operator or ship’s master.
- An indication that the shipment has been dispatched, taken in charge or loaded on board along with a date.
- Indication of the place of receipt of the shipment that may be different from the place of actual loading onboard and the place of delivery of the shipment which may be different from the place of discharge.
- A sole original or if issued in multiple originals, the full set of originals.
- The terms and conditions of carriage or a reference to the terms and conditions of carriage in another source or document other than the multimodal transport document.
- In a documentary letter of credit, no indication that the document is subject to a charter party and/or an indication that the named vessel is propelled only by sail.
- Meets any other stipulations of the sales contract or documentary letter of credit.
