The Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, was passed by Rajya Sabha, on July 21, 2025. Once enacted after Presidential approval, it will replace colonial-era Indian Bills of Lading Act of 1856.
Previously approved by the Lok Sabha in March 2025, the bill modernises shipping documentation to align with contemporary global trade standards. It aims to simplify legal language, reorganise provisions without diluting core rights, and introduce clarity in the transfer of rights and liabilities under bills of lading. A key feature is the empowerment of the central government to issue directives to ensure effective implementation, alongside a repeal and saving clause that maintains legal consistency by validating past actions under the old law.