B/L Intelligence API

Extract every B/L field with one API call

Upload a Bill of Lading image or PDF and receive structured JSON with shipper, consignee, notify party, vessel, ports, container numbers, and cargo details — all validated against ISO 6346.

B/L Extraction Result
B/L NumberOOLU2187654321✓
Vessel / VoyageOOCL Bangkok / 028E✓
POLLaem Chabang, Thailand✓
PODRotterdam, Netherlands✓
Containers2 x 40’HC✓
Total Weight22,450.00 KGS✓
Comprehensive Extraction

All 45+ B/L fields parsed and structured

The B/L Intelligence API extracts every standard field from ocean Bills of Lading: shipper and consignee blocks, notify party, vessel name and voyage number, port of loading, port of discharge, place of delivery, container numbers, seal numbers, marks and numbers, goods description, gross weight, and measurement.

Each extracted value includes a confidence score, field coordinates on the source document, and validation status — giving downstream systems full context for automated or manual review.

Shipper / ConsigneeVessel & VoyagePortsContainer NumbersCargo DescriptionSeal Numbers
Container Validation
Container 1OOLU 123456-7✓
Owner CodeOOLU — OOCL✓
Check Digit7 (ISO 6346 valid)✓
Container 2OOLU 789012-3✓
Type/Size40’HC (45G1)✓
Container Validation

ISO 6346 container number verification

Every container number extracted from the B/L is validated against the ISO 6346 standard. The API checks the owner code (4 letters), equipment category identifier, serial number (6 digits), and check digit using the official ISO algorithm.

Invalid container numbers are flagged with the specific error — wrong check digit, non-existent owner code, or invalid format — along with a suggested correction when possible.

ISO 6346 checkOwner code lookupCheck digit verifyFormat validation
Multi-Container Summary
Total Containers2✓
OOLU123456740’HC — 11,200 KGS — Seal: SH7891✓
OOLU789012340’HC — 11,250 KGS — Seal: SH7892✓
B/L Header Total22,450 KGS✓
Cross-CheckMatch ✔✓
Multi-Container Support

Handle B/Ls with multiple containers seamlessly

Ocean B/Ls often list dozens of containers with individual seal numbers, weights, and package counts. The API extracts every container line item and returns them as a structured array, preserving the per-container breakdown.

Container-level data includes type/size codes, tare weight, and VGM (Verified Gross Mass) when available. The API totals pieces, weight, and measurement across all containers and cross-checks against the B/L header totals.

Container arraySeal numbersVGM supportWeight cross-checkType/Size codes
By the Numbers

B/L Intelligence API performance

45+
B/L fields extracted
99.2%
Field-level accuracy
<1.5s
Average response time
ISO 6346
Container validation standard
FAQ

Common questions about B/L Intelligence API

Which B/L formats are supported?
The API supports scanned images, PDFs, and electronic B/Ls from all major shipping lines including Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, COSCO, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, Evergreen, and OOCL.
How does ISO 6346 container validation work?
The API verifies the owner code against the BIC registry, checks the equipment category, validates the 6-digit serial, and recalculates the check digit using the ISO 6346 algorithm.
Can it handle B/Ls with 20+ containers?
Yes. The API extracts all container line items regardless of quantity. B/Ls with over 100 containers have been tested successfully.
Does it extract both Master and House B/Ls?
Yes. The API handles MBL and HBL formats. When processing an HBL, it extracts the MBL reference number for linking purposes.
How are multi-page B/Ls handled?
The API processes all pages of a multi-page PDF, consolidates data from continuation pages, and returns a single unified result per B/L number.

Ready to automate B/L data extraction?

Get your API key and start parsing Bills of Lading in minutes.

Get API KeyRead the Docs