Bill of Health
Also known as: bill of health, health certificate, port health clearance, maritime health certificate
An official document issued by a port or health authority certifying the health status of a vessel, its crew, passengers, and, where applicable, its cargo, confirming that it is free from known infectious diseases at the time of departure.
A Bill of Health was historically required by many ports before allowing a vessel to enter or discharge cargo, particularly during outbreaks of contagious diseases such as cholera, plague, or yellow fever. It helped authorities assess the risk of disease transmission and determine whether quarantine or other health measures were necessary. While modern international health regulations and electronic reporting have largely replaced the traditional Bill of Health, the concept remains important in maritime health and port state control procedures.
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