A Study on the Practical Problems and Solutions for using Electronic Bill of Lading in Korea

e-Trade is the way to realize paperless trade that exchange messages equivalent paper documents in accordance with standards. The ultimate state of e-Trade is exchange all documents concerned with international trade electronically to save incidental expenses. Bill of lading(B/L) is not a document but a document of title. It reveals the ownership of the goods in transit by ship. This function is not changed electronically yet. There have been several trials to realize electronic bill of lading(e-B/L) such as Bolero. So far, there are no e-B/L that succeed commercially. In Korea, the government amended Commercial Act, to use e-B/L. This paper deals with problems and solutions for using e-B/L practically in Korea. The implications of the analysis are as follows. First thing is the cost. The parties of electronic bill of lading are feeling that the benefit is low than the cost. Hopefully the cost using electronic bill of lading be free for a while. Second thing is low interest of business circle in electronic bill of lading. It can be raise the interest to give some favor to the banks, shipping companies, traders and customs house. Third thing is uncertainty of rights and duties on electronic bill of lading. A precise and balanced agreement among parties needed to clear their worry. Finally, the requirement of digital signature authorized Korean government enacted by presidential decree obstruct join of overseas parties. It will be amend as soon as possible.