What exactly are the differences among the original bill of lading, the telex release bill of lading, and the SWB? This article explains it all—essential insights for international trade from Huijietong.

In international trade, the bill of lading is one of the most critical documents. Yet many newcomers—and even seasoned sales professionals—struggle to distinguish among three key types: the original bill of lading, the telex release bill of lading, and the SWB sea waybill. Choosing the wrong one can result in nothing short of hefty port‑demurrage charges—or, at worst, losing both your money and your goods.

Today, Huijie General will explain everything clearly—by the time you’re done, you’ll know how to choose.

I. Let’s start with the conclusion: A single table clarifies the core differences among the three.

A one-sentence mnemonic:

• To control cargo ownership → choose the original bill of lading.

• Want efficiency but still want to keep a backup option? → Choose electronic release.

• Complete trust, prioritizing speed above all → choose SWB

II. Breaking It Down One by One: What Exactly Are the Three Types of Bills of Lading?

1. Original Bill of Lading (Original B/L) — the “hard currency” of international trade

Definition: A paper-based document of title issued by the shipping company, typically in triplicate and marked “Original,” which becomes effective upon the carrier’s signature and seal.

Core features:

• Document of title: Whoever holds the original document of title shall have ownership of the goods.

• Transferable: It can be resold to a third party via endorsement.

• Three copies are equally valid: once one copy is used to collect the goods, the others automatically become void.

Operating procedure:

Applicable scenarios:

• ✅ Letter of Credit (L/C) settlement — the bank must examine the original document.

• ✅ Resale of goods in transit — endorsed and transferred to the next party

• ✅New customers and large orders—require control of ownership rights to prevent default.

• ✅Ocean freight (voyage duration > 7 days) — ample time for sending the original documents

Risk Warning:

• ⚠️ Losing the original document is extremely troublesome: you must publish a public notice and pay a security deposit equal to 150%–200% of the goods’ value, with a processing period of 2–3 months.

• ⚠️Risk of shipping delays: On short‑haul routes, it’s common for cargo to arrive at the port while the bill of lading has yet to be issued, resulting in demurrage charges ranging from several hundred to several thousand U.S. dollars per day.

2. Telex Release — A Balanced Choice Between Efficiency and Control

Definition: After the shipper returns the complete set of original bills of lading and provides a letter of indemnity, the shipping line issues an electronic release to the destination port agent, with the bill of lading marked “Surrendered” or “Telex Release.”

Core features:

• Essentially, it is the relinquishment of the proprietary rights conferred by the original bill of lading.

• The consignee may collect the goods upon presentation of a faxed or photocopied telex release bill of lading together with valid identification.

• Irreversible: Once the goods are released against a telex release, the original bill of lading becomes invalid, and control over the cargo can no longer be restored.

Operating procedure:

Applicable scenarios:

• ✅Short-haul routes (China–Japan–Korea, Southeast Asia; 3–5 days sailing) — avoid “goods waiting for the bill of lading”

• ✅Full or most of the payment has been received—no further control over the goods is required.

• ✅ Long-term partner—highly trusted, but still wants a written record

• ✅ Unfortunately, we were unable to ship it in time—due to tight shipping schedules and urgent delivery deadlines.

Risk Warning:

• ⚠️ Maximum risk: losing both money and goods. If you release the goods by telex first and collect payment later, the consignee may refuse to pay the balance.

• ⚠️ Once the telex release guarantee is signed, the shipping line is relieved of liability, and the shipper assumes all risks.

• ⚠️ In some countries, the management of electronic release documents is lax, posing a risk of unauthorized pickup.

💡 Huijietong advises: Before releasing the goods via telex release, be sure to confirm that payment has been received, or at least that a substantial portion of the payment has been settled. Exercise caution when dealing with new customers.

3. SWB Sea Waybill — the fastest yet also the most “risky”

Definition: A non‑negotiable transport document issued by the shipping company, which merely certifies that the carrier has received the goods and undertaken to transport them, and does not constitute a document of title.

Core features:

• Non‑property‑right certificate: non‑transferable and ineligible for bank discounting.

• Recognizes the person, not the document: The consignee may collect the goods by presenting identification, without needing any additional documents.

• Ultra‑streamlined process: No original documents to sign, no document mailing required, and no telex release fees.

Operating procedure:

Applicable scenarios:

• ✅ Internal transfers between parent and subsidiary companies or affiliated entities

• ✅Payment has been received in full; no control over the goods is required.

• ✅Short-haul, time-sensitive cargo (fresh produce, electronic products)

• ✅ Door-to-door (DDP/DDU) terms — the seller is responsible for the entire process.

Risk Warning:

• ⚠️ Complete loss of cargo control: Once the SWB is issued, the shipper immediately loses control over the goods.

• ⚠️ Incorrect recipient information = Unable to collect the package (must be 100% accurate)

• ⚠️ Letter of credit payments do not accept SWB.

• ⚠️Supported by only some shipping lines (e.g., Maersk, COSCO)

💡 Huijietong advises: Use SWB only with trading partners you fully trust, and be sure to verify that the consignee’s name exactly matches the business license— even a single space error could result in delivery failure.

III. Practical Selection: Which One Should You Use in Different Scenarios?

IV. Common Misconceptions and a Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls with Huijietong

❌Misconception 1: “Telex release is safer than the original bill of lading because no documents need to be mailed.”

The truth: Once a telex release is issued, the cargo‑ownership rights are immediately forfeited, making it less secure than the original bill of lading. A telex release is suitable only for situations where payment has already been received.

❌Misconception #2: “SWB is similar to an electronic release; both allow for quick cargo pickup.”

The truth: With an electronic release, at least one copy of the electronic release remains as proof, whereas SWB requires no documents whatsoever, resulting in higher risk.

❌Misconception #3: “An order bill of lading with the shipper’s name on it equals control over the goods.”

The truth: In the United States and other countries, a straight bill of lading allows for delivery without the original document, rendering control over the goods’ title virtually ineffective. Exercise caution when using straight bills of lading for shipments to the U.S.

❌Misconception #4: “The three types of bills of lading can be switched at will.”

Fact: For an original‑to‑telex release, the complete set of originals plus a guarantee must be returned; for telex release or original‑to‑SWB changes, a new issuance is typically required. Switching entails costs and time‑delay penalties, so be sure to confirm everything before issuing the documents.

V. Huijietong’s Rapid Decision-Making Method

When dealing with a shipment, follow these three steps to choose the right bill of lading type:

Step 1: Have all payments been collected?

├─ Not yet matched → Original bill of lading (with control over the cargo)

└─ All complete → Next step

Step 2: Is it necessary to transfer the goods’ title? (Letter of Credit/Resale)

├─ Required → Original Bill of Lading

└─ Not required → Next step

Step 3: Customer trust + route efficiency?

├─ Absolute trust + near-ocean → SWB (fastest)

└─ General Trust/Ocean Freight → Telex Release (Compromise)

Summary

Choosing the wrong bill of lading can result in port detention charges and amendment fees at best, or even total loss of payment at worst. We hope this article helps you make swift, informed decisions in real‑world operations.

[Huijietong] specializes in international logistics and foreign trade compliance.

• Ocean freight booking | Customs declaration and inspection | Export tax rebates | Documentation consulting

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or send us a private message—our expert team at Huijietong is here to assist you.