What is HBL: When your goods have been booked with a freight forwarder by sea, he as a carrier issues receipts of goods which is called House Bill of Lading (HBL). In turn, freight forwarder books the cargo with vessel owner and collects Master Bill of Lading (MBL) or Groupage Bill of Lading. In a Master Bill of Lading, there can be more than one consignment. Once the cargo reaches at destination, the associate office of freight forwarder delivers cargo to the final consignee.