Comparative Analysis of Clean and Foul Bills of Lading Based on Laboratory Verification of Documents at the Port of Belawan

Abstract

This study aims to compare clean and foul Bills of Lading (B/L) using a systematic document analysis approach in a document verification laboratory. A B/L is a key document in cargo transportation that reflects the condition of goods when received by the carrier. A clean B/L indicates that the goods were accepted without any remarks of damage or discrepancy, while a foul B/L includes notes indicating defects or inconsistencies. The research applies a descriptive-comparative method using authentic B/L documents from actual shipping practices. Each document was analyzed in detail to identify structural differences and assess content accuracy. The results show clear distinctions between clean and foul B/Ls, particularly in terms of annotations, layout, and verification process duration. The findings confirm the important role of document laboratories in ensuring the validity and classification of B/Ls. This study contributes to the improvement of documentation accuracy in cargo handling and supports better administrative decision-making in logistics operations.