Bills of Lading Legalization for UAE
A Bill of Lading (B/L) is a crucial document in international trade, serving as proof of shipment, a title of goods, and a contract between the exporter and the carrier. When exporting goods from the United States to the United Arab Emirates, the Bill of Lading must be properly authenticated and legalized to ensure its acceptance by UAE Customs authorities and importers.
The UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C. facilitates the legalization of Bills of Lading issued in the United States, ensuring official recognition for use in the UAE.
How to Legalize a Bill of Lading for UAE
Issuance by the Carrier or Freight Forwarder
Ensure that the Bill of Lading is officially issued and signed by the authorized carrier or shipping line.Notarization (if applicable)
Some UAE authorities may require notarization to confirm the authenticity of the issuing party’s signature.State Authentication
If notarized, the document must be authenticated by the Secretary of State in the state where the notary is commissioned.U.S. Department of State Authentication
The authenticated Bill of Lading must then be verified by the U.S. Department of State.Legalization by the UAE Embassy
Finally, the document is submitted to the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C. for legalization, confirming its validity for use in the UAE.
Required Documents
Original Bill of Lading (or certified copy)
Related Commercial Invoice or Packing List
Copy of the applicant’s passport or U.S. ID
Authorization letter (if submitted by a third party)
Commercial Export Documents Processing Time & Fees.
| Service | Fees | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Service fee | $180 | - |
| Maryland notary, court and state fees | $30 | 1 |
| U.S. Department of State fee | $40 | 9 |
| Chamber of commerce fee | $70 | 1 |
| Embassy of UAE for Commercial Invoice | $45 | 8 |
| Embassy of UAE for Certificate Of Origin | $45 | - |
| Total | $410 | 19 business days |
Important Notes
The Bill of Lading must clearly list the consignee, shipper, and product details.
All information on the B/L should match the accompanying commercial documents.
Incomplete, unsigned, or altered Bills of Lading will not be accepted for legalization.