Warning on validity of bills of lading as fraud rises during pandemic

As the world continues to face lockdowns due to the coronavirus outbreak the International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) has issued advice that warns port agents of issues with receiving original bills of lading. During this unprecedented period, port agents may be asked by consignees to deliver goods to them without providing a bill of lading in return. The consignee may claim that they have not received the bill of lading from the shipper or cannot present it to the port agent because of lockdown.