Research on Private International Law of Electronic Bill of Lading

Abstract

Bill of Lading, as the most important document in international trade and international shipping, has the roles of cargo receipt, contract certificate, and document of title. In recent years, the Internet wave has deeply affected the changes in international shipping ecology. Based on the traditional paper Bill of Lading, the form of electronic Bill of Lading has been developed as well. The electronic Bill of Lading is based on keeping the functions of the traditional paper-Bill of Lading and is combined with digital message technology. Due to its high efficiency, environmental protection, accuracy, and security, its application scenarios are becoming more and more extensive. Meanwhile, legal issues related to the electronic Bill of Lading cover traditional maritime law and emerging electronic data laws. Because the electronic Bill of Lading is mainly used in international shipping and international trade and financing, it spans different regions in each transaction link. Considering the differences in the laws of E-commerce of the major trading countries and regions, from the perspective of private international law, it is destined that a large number of legal jurisdiction and application problems will arise in the transaction of the electronic Bill of Lading.