In a major step for digital trade, Colombian Customs has for the first time begun accepting electronic Bills of Lading (eBLs) in collaboration COSCO.
The breakthrough is enabled through IQAX eBL, supported by GSBN’s blockchain-enabled infrastructure, and powered by GSBN’s newly launched Document Viewer App.
Until now, Colombian Customs required paper-based Bills of Lading for clearance. By validating IQAX eBLs issued by COSCO, Colombian Customs is moving from paper-only processes to a trusted digital workflow—setting a precedent for broader eBL adoption across Latin America and beyond.
Around 80% of world trade moves by sea, and in container shipping alone, more than 45 million Bills of Lading are issued annually. Yet, the process remains dominated by paper. Without a simple, reliable way to confirm authenticity, customs officers have no choice but to request paper Bills of Lading, creating administrative bottlenecks whilst exposing the system to fraud, errors, and costly delays.
With the GSBN Document Viewer App, this process is simplified and secured. When consignee presents the eBL PDF, custom officers simply scan the embedded QR code with the app to directly access the official eBL issued by COSCO via IQAX eBL - an IG P&I Club approved solution on GSBN blockchain. Every document is directly issued by Carrier and immutable. By anchoring verification on this trusted channel, customs can now significantly reduce time and cost, while mitigating the risks of fraud and human errors. This simple approach, which does not even require API integration, can be easily replicated by other customs authorities around the world (Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia). GSBN looks forward to working with its Carriers Members and IQAX eBL to enable better flows for customs officers globally and drive eBL adoption.
Bertrand Chen, CEO at GSBN, said, “Customs authorities are a key cog in global trade, yet they continue to be weighed down by the burden of paper-based bills of lading. Without a simple way to verify a document’s authenticity, inefficiency, risk, and avoidable costs persist across the system. The GSBN Document Viewer App offers a trusted, digital channel to view eBLs, helping customs work smarter and reinforcing the foundation for more transparent, efficient global trade.”
“At IQAX, we are committed to giving stakeholders across supply chains greater choice and innovation in how they make decisions,” said George Guo, CEO of IQAX. “Colombia’s recognition of IQAX eBLs is a practical demonstration of our vision for digital trade. Built on interoperability and anchored on blockchain-enabled infrastructure, our eBL helps customs verify authenticity instantly, gives banks and cargo owners a secure, auditable record, and reduces delays tied to paper handoffs. This blends ease of use at the border with the integrity and traceability decision-makers require. Together—with GSBN and our carrier, logistics, and financial partners—we will continue expanding eBL coverage and use cases to reduce risk, streamline clearance, and accelerate the shift to paperless trade.”
The launch of the GSBN Doc Viewer App is part of GSBN's commitment to harness technology to transform global trade and create value for different stakeholders.