The Bills of Lading Act, 2025 came into formal effect on 31 July 2025 and entirely superseded the Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856, realising a long overdue reform in the maritime commerce law. The Act transfers all the rights and liabilities under a bill of lading to the consignee or lawful endorsee, thus addressing the statutory alignment of the international trade practice. It states that a bill of lading is itself evidence of shipment, whereas it is rebutted by fraud and notice of non shipment to the benefit of a bona fide holder in a bona fide case. Significantly, it secures the right of stoppage in transit to a shipper and allows claims of freight against the original shipper or owner. The law also delegates the power to the Central Government to issue directives in the implementation of the law, and it repeals the old law of 1856 with provisions of saving to safeguard earlier rights. With the modernisation of evidence and contracts, the Act makes India a better place to transact global trade as it guarantees more certainty, belief, and efficiency in the shipping business.