ABSTRACT
The RR adopt a flexible definition of negotiable transport documents, combining the role of uniform and national law. Article 35 of the Rotterdam Rules (RR) is about the entitlement of the shipper to ask for the transport document. Presentation of a transport document compliant with the Uniform Customs & Practice (UCP) 600 is critical, as it signifies that the seller is entitled to receive payment. For this to happen, the beneficiary needs to be aware of all the requirements both under the RR and the UCP 600. The first remark that can be made after reading both the RR and the UCP 600 is that there are different types of classification of transport documents. The RR have one basic distinction between negotiable and non-negotiable documents, while the UCP 600 further breaks them down into specific documents such as bills of lading, charterparty bills of lading, non-negotiable sea waybills. Article 36 of the RR is a significant article for international trade.
