The carriage of goods by sea is a fundamental aspect of international trade and bills of lading play a prominent role in ensuring the completion of a successful trade transaction. The bill of lading is a vital instrument in the international commercial transactions which facilitates the international sale of goods. Bills of lading function as receipts of the goods shipped, evidence of the existence of a contract of carriage and a document of title. This article examined the nature and role of bills of lading in commercial transactions.