When a hard copy printed bill of lading is issued it is usual practice for a number of sets of ‘Originals’ and ‘Copies’ to be produced. Where a letter of credit is involved and a bill of lading is specified the receiving bank will require one of the Original bills of lading.
When a set of 3 Originals and 3 Copy Bills of lading are produced they will be marked Original 1 of 3, Original 2 of 3, Original 3 of 3; Copy 1 of 3, Copy 2 of 3, Copy 3 of 3.