Sri Lanka · Embassy legalisation
Bill of Lading Attestation for Sri Lanka from India
Exporters and companies across India send us their bill of lading for use in Sri Lanka. Here is exactly how it is legalised, what to send and how to avoid rejection.
- 1 Indian Chamber of Commerce
- 2 MEA attestation
- 3 Sri Lanka High Commission, New Delhi
Why Sri Lanka asks for a legalised bill of lading
The bill of lading is the carrier's receipt for the goods and the document of title for sea cargo. It shows the shipper, consignee, vessel, ports and container details. The shipping line or its agent issues the bill of lading; for air cargo the equivalent is the airway bill.
Importers across Asia increasingly verify origin and value documents before clearance, and some still ask for paper documents with embassy stamps.
Companies dealing with Sri Lanka are most often asked for a legalised bill of lading during proof of shipment for customs, as well as for letter of credit documentation and cargo release at the destination port.
A bill of lading issued in India is attested by an Indian Chamber of Commerce, then by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and finally legalised by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi.
Key facts
- Document
- Bill of Lading issued in India
- Used in
- Sri Lanka
- Route
- Indian Chamber of Commerce → MEA attestation → Sri Lanka High Commission, New Delhi
- Final stamp
- Sri Lanka High Commission legalisation
- Translation
- Sinhala or Tamil – often requested
- Who we help
- Indian exporters, manufacturers and companies
- Our office
- New Ashok Nagar, New Delhi · courier from any city
The Sri Lanka process for an Indian bill of lading
Send us a scan first
WhatsApp a scan of the bill of lading and tell us who in Sri Lanka will receive it. We check it and reply with the steps, timeline and price.
Indian Chamber of Commerce
An Indian Chamber of Commerce verifies the issuing authority's signature and your company's details, then stamps the bill of lading.
Ministry of External Affairs
The MEA checks the chamber's signature and attests the bill of lading, which the Sri Lanka High Commission requires before it will legalise it.
Sri Lanka High Commission legalisation
The High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi adds its legalisation stamp. This is the final stamp needed in India.
Back to you
The finished bill of lading is returned by tracked courier, or collected from our New Ashok Nagar office, ready for use in Sri Lanka.
What to send us
- Copy of the bill of lading or airway bill, certified by the exporter
- Certificate of origin for the shipment
- Matching commercial invoice and packing list
- Request letter on company letterhead
- Certified Sinhala or Tamil translation, if the authority in Sri Lanka asks (we arrange it)
Avoid rejection
- Use the final bill of lading, not a draft.
- Check that the company name is spelt the same way on every document; the Sri Lanka High Commission compares names across the set.
- Consignee and notify party details must match the invoice.
- Send the full shipment set together.
Bill of Lading attestation for Sri Lanka: FAQs
Does Sri Lanka accept the apostille on an Indian bill of lading?
No. Sri Lanka is not an apostille country for Indian commercial documents, so the bill of lading needs MEA attestation and legalisation by the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi.
How many days does it take to legalise a bill of lading for Sri Lanka?
It depends on the schedules of the chamber, the MEA and the Sri Lanka High Commission at the time. We confirm a timeline in writing before you courier the bill of lading, and can plan around shipment or registration deadlines.
Which papers should accompany the bill of lading for Sri Lanka?
Usually: Copy of the bill of lading or airway bill, certified by the exporter; Matching commercial invoice and packing list; Certificate of origin for the shipment.
What is the process for bill of lading attestation for Sri Lanka?
Indian Chamber of Commerce → MEA attestation → Sri Lanka High Commission, New Delhi. We handle every stage from our New Delhi office and courier the bill of lading back to you.
Do I need a Sinhala translation for Sri Lanka?
Many authorities in Sri Lanka expect documents in Sinhala or Tamil. We arrange certified translation and can legalise it together with the English bill of lading.
Is the original bill of lading attested?
Usually a copy certified by the exporter is legalised, because the original bill of lading is a title document needed to release cargo.
Other documents for Sri Lanka
- Certificate of Origin Attestation for Sri LankaExport & shipping
- Shipping Bill Attestation for Sri LankaExport & shipping
- Commercial Invoice Attestation for Sri LankaExport & shipping
- Packing List Attestation for Sri LankaExport & shipping
- COPP Attestation for Sri LankaPharma
All commercial documents for Sri Lanka → · Bill of Lading for every country →
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Send your bill of lading for Sri Lanka
Send the document list and destination country on WhatsApp. We reply with the route, timeline and an all-inclusive quote.
Office: C-5 A/2, New Ashok Nagar, Delhi 110096, India. Drop off in Delhi NCR or courier from any city in India; documents return by Blue Dart or another tracked courier.