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Benefits of eFBL:
Benefits of using eFBL on CargoX:
an easy to use and free eFBL creation tool
creating and verifying eFBLs
free eFBL print and download in PDF
electronic transfer of possession between trading partners (including banks for e-presentation), according to CargoX price list
CargoX supports issuing standardized, paperless FIATA Bills of Lading in partnership with the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA). The FIATA paperless Bill of Lading solution allows freight forwarders to issue secured paperless FBLs through their usual transportation management tools (TMS) or through independent eBL providers.
As of 18 May 2022, seven software providers have already signed an agreement with the Federation to implement the solution and the CargoX Platform for Blockchain Document Transfer (BDT) is only one of the few that allows you to issue and also transfer the Standard-compliant electronic FIATA Bills of Lading.
Please visit FIATA’s website for more information.
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Prerequisite:
1. Register your company profile on the FIATA Platform and get your FIATA ID: to start issuing paperless digital FIATA BLs you need to onboard and verify that your company fulfills all conditions to issue EFBLs. The onboarding form and more details can be found here. Contact FIATA for any questions at digital@fiata.org.
2. Register your company profile on the CargoX Platform and create a blockchain key file that you will use as a personal electronic signature to sign document transactions. We recommend entering the same company details when registering on the CargoX Platform as provided while onboarding to the FIATA Platform.
Once registered on both platforms, please follow the step-by-step guide to creating an eFBL:
1. Send us your FIATA ID
Send us your FIATA ID by email to support@cargox.io in order to establish interoperability between the FIATA and the CargoX Platform.
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You will be informed once the connection between the platforms is established and you can then continue to the next step.
2. Create a new standard envelope
Sign in to the CargoX Platform and click the green Compose button.
Click on the gray Choose button next to the Standard envelope.
3. Start creating an eFBL
Clicking on the Create FIATA eFBL launches the process for creating a paperless document.
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The Create FIATA eFBL button is only visible to companies that have established the connection between FIATA and the CargoX Platform. If you cannot see the button, please go back to Step 1 of this step-by-step guide.
4. Fill out the eFBL form
The eFBL consists of two main sections: Exchanged documents and Supply chain consignment. Fill in the basic information in both sections. Supply chain consignment has subsections that can be accessed when clicked on.
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Please pay special attention when selecting the number of original copies issued in the Exchanged document section, depending on the type of a bill of lading (negotiable/non-negotiable). For negotiable bills of lading, there are typically 3 original copies issued – one for the shipper, one for the consignee, and one for the bank or a third party. The number of original copies is stated on the bill of lading for certainty. This is not the case for a non-negotiable bill of lading, which does not constitute a document of title and does not require multiple original copies as it is not intended to be transferred to another party, but rather serves as a receipt evidencing the contract of carriage. It is therefore only issued as a single original copy and the “0” indicates this accordingly on the bill of lading.
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In case the eFBL remains electronic throughout the shipment, i.e. when the eFBL is issued only in an electronic format, and the possession is transferred electronically from the time it is issued and until it is accomplished, please use the term ‘’Original electronically issued, not valid on paper’’.
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Observe the red fields on the left side of eFBL fields – scroll up and down over the fields and add the missing information.
5. Generate a preview of the eFBL
After filling all the eFBL details, click on the Show preview button.
6. Check and create the eFBL
Check the information on the generated preview (on the right side).
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You can still make changes and amendments on the left side in the eFBL fields. Click the Refresh preview button to display the changes in the eFBL preview.
When you are certain that the entered information in the eFBL is correct, click on the Create button to begin eFBL validation.
7. eFBL validation by FIATA
After a few seconds the eFBL will be equipped with a FBL number (B/L number) and a QR code. The envelope containing the eFBL can be found in the Draft folder.
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If you want to use a modern way of transferring electronic documents – a much faster, cheaper, and more reliable one – then the CargoX Platform provides a solution that will help you optimize all of these aspects and save you lots of time and money. Please continue reading to Step 8 if you want to know how to send an eFBL via the CargoX Platform.
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However, if you are not interested in taking advantage of the benefits that the CargoX Platform for Blockchain Document Transfer (BDT) brings, you can Download the created eFBL in the PDF format, and use your standard carrier procedures to transfer the ownership of the document.
8. Send a FIATA B/L via the CargoX Platform for Blockchain Document Transfer (BDT)
A step-by-step guide for sending an eFBL via the CargoX Platform:
1) Select the recipient, edit the document Properties (add a Release agent) and Seal the envelope. More information can be found here (please start from step 3).
2) After the envelope is sealed, click on the green Transfer button.
3) To confirm the transfer, you must authenticate and digitally sign it with your blockchain key. To perform this action follow this guide.
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After sending the envelope, you will briefly see its status in the bottom right corner. If the envelope is successfully sent, a green checkmark will appear next to it, and the message will disappear after a few seconds. You can always check your Sent folder to review the sent envelopes.