When you work with the same customer on a regular basis, you most likely have similar cargo every time; the quantity might change, but all other data on the eFBL remains the same. Now you can significantly optimise your workflow and speed up issuing a new eFBL with the help of eFBL templates.
The step-by-step process for creating an eFBL template (steps 1-2), generating an eFBL from the eFBL template (steps 3-5) and sending the eFBL to your customer (step 6):
1. Create an eFBL template
Create a Standard-compliant electronic FIATA Bill of Lading by following steps 1-7 found here. This will create the eFBL template you will be using to save time.
2. Label the eFBL envelope
It is recommended that you write a note in the message field, something to remember that this is a template for a specific company, and you can even add the shipping item. This way you will be able to know right away which eFBL template to choose for your next shipment. See the image below for an example of how to do that.
3. Create a new eFBL from the eFBL template
When you have a new shipment that would fit your template, open the Draft folder and select the desired template envelope (with the help of the text entered in the message box in step 2 from this step-by-step instruction) by selecting the checkbox next to it and clicking on New draft button. This will generate a new draft envelope with the eFBL attachment from the template envelope.
4. Edit the eFBL
Click the Amend button to change the fields that vary between your current shipment and the template.
5. Issue the eFBL
When you are certain that all the information entered in the eFBL is correct, click on the Create button to begin eFBL issuance.
6. Send the envelope
Tip
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 (more information about the benefits of sending the eFBL via the CargoX Platform can be found here).
Please continue reading to Step 8 of this instruction if you want to know how to send an eFBL via the CargoX Platform.