SWB (Sea Waybill)
A non-negotiable ocean transport document that lets the named consignee collect cargo without presenting any original paper document at destination.
TL;DR: A Sea Waybill is a non-negotiable transport document for ocean freight. The named consignee can collect the goods simply by proving their identity, with no original document needed.
A Sea Waybill, or SWB, works as a receipt for the cargo and as evidence of the contract of carriage, like a Bill of Lading. The key difference is that it is not a document of title. It cannot be endorsed or transferred to someone else, and the cargo is released only to the consignee named on it.
Because no originals travel by courier, release is fast. This makes the SWB popular for regular shipments between trusted partners, between related companies, and on short routes where the ship may arrive before mailed documents would.
The trade-off falls mainly on the seller. Once the goods are shipped under an SWB, the seller has limited control over delivery. A seller who has not been paid in full will usually prefer an original B/L or a Telex Release after payment. An SWB is also generally not suitable for an L/C that requires a negotiable, document-of-title B/L.
For buyers, check that your company name and address are exactly correct on the SWB before the ship departs. Since release depends on being the named consignee, errors can cause delays at destination. Compare with Bill of Lading and Telex Release.