Colombia’s customs authority has recognized IQAX’s electronic Bill of Lading for import shipments, verified through GSBN’s blockchain-enabled Doc Viewer App. The move marks a step toward faster, safer and more efficient cross-border trade in Latin America.
The Colombian Customs Authority has approved the use of IQAX’s electronic Bill of Lading (eBL) for import shipments, marking a significant step in the shift toward digital trade processes in Latin America.
Paper bills of lading are passed manually between shippers, freight forwarders, banks and customs officials. This process can be slow and vulnerable to fraud. With IQAX’s blockchain-based eBL, customs officials in Colombia can now scan a QR code to instantly verify the authenticity of documents using the GSBN Doc Viewer App. The technology creates an immutable record on the Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN), reducing manual checks and lowering the risk of tampering while streamlining clearance procedures.
IQAX said the change will improve security, speed up import processing and remove barriers to paperless trade. It also broadens the reach of its eBL solution across Latin America at a time when the region is looking to modernize its trade infrastructure.
“At IQAX, we are committed to giving stakeholders across supply chains greater choice and innovation in how they make decisions,” said George Guo, CEO of IQAX. “Colombia’s recognition of IQAX eBLs is a practical demonstration of our vision for digital trade. Built on interoperability and anchored on blockchain-enabled infrastructure, our eBL helps customs verify authenticity instantly, gives banks and cargo owners a secure, auditable record, and reduces delays tied to paper handoffs. This blends ease of use at the border with the integrity and traceability decision-makers require. Together—with GSBN and our carrier, logistics, and financial partners—we will continue expanding eBL coverage and use cases to reduce risk, streamline clearance, and accelerate the shift to paperless trade.”
Bertrand Chen, CEO of GSBN, said customs agencies are central to global trade but remain burdened by paper processes. “Customs authorities are a key cog in global trade, yet they continue to be weighed down by the burden of paper-based bills of lading. Without a simple way to verify a document’s authenticity, inefficiency, risk, and avoidable costs persist across the system. The GSBN Document Viewer App offers a trusted, digital channel to view eBLs, helping customs work smarter and reinforcing the foundation for more transparent, efficient global trade,” he said.
IQAX, a Hong Kong-based digital trade intelligence company, develops technology solutions that support supply chain decision-making across industries, embedding blockchain, IoT and AI into products such as the IQAX eBL and digital twin. It works with shipping lines, logistics providers, corporates and financial institutions worldwide. GSBN, meanwhile, is a neutral,
