BL need to be MANUALLY signed?

[Mokhaimad]

Dear forumers,

I am very sorry if this question has been raised before as i was unable to find from my search engine.

Need you help on my scenario:-

3/3 Original BL (OBL) presented as per LC requirement. However, 2/3 OBL evidencing signing capacity as below:-

Preprinted: 'As Agent For The Carrier : ABC Lines'
Stamp in blue ink:
XYZ Co Ltd
.........
(Autorized signature)

The line (..........) was blank with no manual signature.

I received a rejection from IB quoting 'BL not signed.'

As far as i understood from ISBP A35a, there were no requirement for BL to be manually signed even there was a column for signature above word 'Authorized Signature', unless LC asked for manual signature. Even though 1/3 OBL bearing an initial/handwritten signature, it just a legacy practice. Since we can clearly identify carrier and agent, the BL considered 'signed' as per UCP.

Your opinion will be highly appreciated.

[picant]

Hi Pal,

IMHO, the 2/3 original bill of lading must be signed.
A carrier agent in issuing's bank Country could sign the bills of lading, so those
were no more discrepant.
However if the issuing bank and applicant have no more interest, it is hard to say.....
In case of dispute the Court could judge that one original bill of lading is sufficient to take up
the goods, but this is not a UCP 600 issue.
Good luck.
Ciao

[cristiand969]

The bill of lading is not signed in line with UCP and ISBP.
Should the preprinted wording shown XYZ as agent of the carrier and then XYZ stamp has been applied, then the stamp had the value of the signature. In this particular case, the stamp just shows the agent name but the agent should have signed in any acceptable ways (manual, facsimile, etc)
Regards

[afoonline]

The Bill of lading not need to be manually signed, some Bill of lading have been programmed signed with machine.

[Sanaur]

Hi Mokhaimad, BL need to be signed and there are different ways that counts as "signed". Whatever way the BL is "signed", it need to be consistent among full set of BL.

If 1/3 BL was manually signed above the signature line, the rest were also need to be signed in similar fashion (unless credit specifically says otherwise).

Issuing bank is correct.

Regards