Colombian Customs has begun accepting electronic Bills of Lading (eBLs) for the first time, in collaboration with COSCO.
IQAX eBL enables this change, built on the Global Shipping Network (GSBN)’s blockchain infrastructure and powered by its new Document Viewer App.
Until now, Colombian Customs required paper Bills of Lading for clearance.
By accepting IQAX eBLs issued by COSCO, Colombian Customs is shifting from paper to a trusted digital process. This sets a precedent for wider eBL use across Latin America and beyond.
Sea freight makes up about 80 per cent of global trade. Container shipping alone issues over 45 million Bills of Lading each year.
According to GSBN, customs officers can scan the QR code on an eBL PDF using the GSBN Document Viewer App to access the original document issued by COSCO through IQAX eBL, a solution approved by the IG P&I Club and recorded on the GSBN blockchain.
Each document is issued by the carrier and cannot be altered. This trusted method helps customs reduce processing time and costs, while lowering fraud and error risks.
It does not require API integration and is designed for use by customs authorities in various regions, including Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
GSBN will work with its carrier members and IQAX eBL to improve customs processes globally and expand eBL adoption.
Bertrand Chen, CEO of GSBN, said, “The GSBN Document Viewer App offers a trusted, digital channel to view eBLs, helping customs work smarter and reinforcing the foundation for more transparent, efficient global trade.”
George Guo, CEO of IQAX, stated: “Colombia’s recognition of IQAX eBLs is a practical demonstration of our vision for digital trade. Our eBL helps customs verify authenticity instantly, gives banks and cargo owners a secure, auditable record, and reduces delays tied to paper handoffs.”
In June, GSBN announced that IQAX had become the first eBL solution worldwide to successfully go live with the latest Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) electronic Bill of Lading (eBL) API schema version 3.0.
