Jordan Bill of Lading Certification

Bills of Lading for Shipments to Aqaba and Beyond

Aqaba is Jordan’s only seaport and handles most of the country’s containerized imports, plus a share of transit cargo for neighboring markets. The bill of lading issued for that voyage is the carrier’s receipt, the contract of carriage and, in negotiable form, the document of title. Jordanian buyers, banks and customs brokers rely on it, and some ask for it to be certified by the Arab American Chamber of Commerce.

Direct shipment and the FTA

For goods claiming duty-free treatment under the U.S.–Jordan Free Trade Agreement, the rules of origin generally expect goods to be imported directly from the United States into Jordan. The bill of lading is the main evidence of the route. If cargo is transshipped through another port, keep it under customs control and make sure the transport documents show the through journey, so the importer’s preference claim is not questioned. Ask your importer how Jordan Customs is currently treating transshipped cargo.

Letters of credit and Jordanian banks

Jordanian banks issue and confirm many letters of credit for imports. Under a credit, the bill of lading is usually consigned to the order of the issuing bank, with the buyer as notify party, and the bank examines dates, ports, description and clauses against the credit. A late shipment date or an unexpected clause can delay payment. Prepare the bill of lading instructions with the credit in front of you.

Originals and certified copies

Negotiable original bills travel through the banking chain and are not normally stamped by a chamber. When a buyer or broker wants a chamber-certified bill of lading, we usually certify a copy certified by the carrier or forwarder, after checking it against the invoice and packing list for consignee, marks, number of packages and gross weight. Tell us what your Jordanian partner asked for, and we will advise which version to send.

Certification options

The chamber certification is applied the same business day we receive the document. If a buyer or contract specifically requires the bill of lading to be legalized by the Embassy of Jordan alongside the invoice and certificate of origin, let us know at the time of ordering so we can confirm the requirements, including notarization and the extra copy, and file the request on the Jordan MFA e-portal. Jordan does not accept apostilles.