Freight Receipt and Invoice (Ocean)

Freight Receipt and Invoice (Ocean) is a transaction set used by ocean carriers to bill shippers and freight forwarders for freight transportation services. The carrier sends this document to the consignee, shipper, or freight forwarder after delivering cargo or upon shipment completion. The transaction set serves as both a receipt for goods received and an invoice for services rendered. Key segments include the B3 (Beginning Segment for Carrier’s Invoice), which establishes invoice details and carrier information; the V1 (Vessel Identification), which identifies the vessel carrying the cargo; and the L3 (Total Weight and Charges), which summarizes the shipment’s weight and associated charges.

For example, Pacific Shipping Lines transports a container of electronics from Shanghai to Long Beach for ABC Electronics Inc. Upon discharge and delivery, Pacific Shipping Lines generates an X12 310 transaction set detailing the vessel name and voyage number in the V1 segment, the port of discharge in the R4 loop, ABC Electronics’ receiving location via the N1 name loop, the container equipment details and contents in the LX detail loop with N7 segments, and the total freight charges and weight in the L3 summary segment. The 310 is transmitted to ABC Electronics’ freight payment department, serving as their formal invoice for ocean freight services rendered.