Legal Definitions - WB

WB is an abbreviation for WAYBILL.

A waybill is a document issued by a carrier (such as a trucking company, airline, or shipping line) that provides detailed information about a shipment of goods. It serves as a contract between the shipper and the carrier, outlining the terms of transportation and acting as a receipt for the goods. The waybill typically includes details like the names and addresses of the sender and recipient, a description of the goods, their quantity and weight, the origin and destination, and the freight charges.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of a waybill:

• Domestic Road Freight: A clothing manufacturer in New York ships a large consignment of apparel to a retail store in Florida using a commercial trucking service. The trucking company issues a waybill that lists the manufacturer as the shipper, the retail store as the consignee, the number of boxes, the total weight, and the specific route and delivery instructions. This document travels with the truck, providing essential information for tracking and ensuring the correct delivery of the goods.

  This example illustrates how a waybill acts as a critical record for domestic shipments, detailing the parties involved and the specifics of the cargo being transported by road.

• International Air Cargo: An electronics company in South Korea sends a batch of specialized computer components to its assembly plant in Mexico via an international air cargo carrier. The air cargo carrier provides an air waybill (a specific type of waybill for air transport). This document contains not only the sender and recipient details but also crucial information for customs clearance, such as the Harmonized System (HS) codes for the components, the declared value, and flight numbers. It ensures the components can be tracked across international borders and processed efficiently.

  This example demonstrates the waybill's role in international logistics, where it facilitates customs procedures and provides a comprehensive record for air freight, which is vital for global supply chains.

• Rail Transport: A grain cooperative in Kansas ships several train cars full of wheat to a flour mill in Texas. The railway company issues a waybill for this bulk shipment. The waybill specifies the type and quantity of grain, the unique identification numbers of the railcars, the origin and destination stations, and the agreed-upon freight charges. This document is the primary record for the railway, detailing the cargo and its journey from the cooperative to the mill.

  This example highlights the waybill's function in large-scale bulk transport via rail, serving as the official documentation for the movement of commodities and ensuring accountability throughout the journey.