Some shipping lines will need an original Bill of Lading before they arrange delivery or release your cargo to a merchant haulier.  This is something you should check with your supplier before shipment.

If the relationship between seller and buyer is fluid then the seller may release the cargo overseas with no need to produce a hard copy Bill of Lading (only an ‘original’ version of this will be accepted).  If however the seller has never sold to the importer before, the Bill of Lading acts as transfer of ownership, and the seller may often arrange for the BL to be lodged with an associated bank in the UK (one that is near to your address) and, once you have paid your seller for the release of the goods through that bank, they will issue you with a few originals of the BL.  You then present one of them to the shipping line that control that BL document.  They can now either arrange delivery for you (under your instruction) or arrange release to a private merchant haulier if you so wish.

If someone scans a BL to you and it read as SURRENDERED or TELEX RELEASED (this term is still used today) or even WAY BILL then these documents do not need to be produced in original form.  However, if you are arranging release or delivery, and your name is not listed as ‘Consignee’ on the BL then you will need to get the named consignee to email a release over to the shipping line, releasing the cargo in your name.  Before the shipping line receives this, they will not take any instruction from you.