Bill of lading template
Updated · Reviewed by Israel Margulies, founder and CEO of High Point GPS
A bill of lading (BOL) form for truck shipments. It records who ships, who receives and who carries the freight, each line of freight with its pieces, class and weight, how the charges are paid, and the signatures of the shipper, the driver and the consignee.
A bill of lading does three jobs at once: it is the receipt the carrier gives for the freight, the shipping instructions, and the evidence of the contract of carriage. Fill it in before pickup, have the driver sign it when the freight is loaded, and have the consignee sign it at delivery, noting any shortage or damage on the spot.
This is a straight (non-negotiable) bill of lading layout for domestic shipments. Carriers, brokers and shippers often use their own terms, and hazardous materials have their own shipping paper rules, so check what your contract and your freight require. It isn't legal advice.
Bill of lading
Fields: BOL no. · Pickup date · Shipper (name and address) · Consignee (name and address) · Carrier · Trailer / truck no. · Seal no. · PO / reference no. · Bill freight charges to (if third party)
Log columns: Pieces · Package type · Description of goods · NMFC class · Weight (lb) · Hazmat (X)
- Freight charges. Prepaid, collect or third party. Mark one, and give the third party's name and address above if used.
- Declared value. If the value of the freight is declared, write it here, per pound or in total, as the carrier's tariff allows.
- Special instructions. Liftgate, inside delivery, appointment, temperature or other handling the carrier needs to know.
- Received in good order. Received subject to the carrier's terms, the freight described above in apparent good order, except as noted.
Fill it in the right way
- Give the BOL a number and fill in the shipper, the consignee and the carrier before pickup.
- List each line of freight: pieces, package type, a plain description, the NMFC class and the weight.
- Mark any hazardous materials line and attach the shipping papers the rules require.
- Mark how freight charges are paid and any declared value or special instructions.
- The shipper and the driver sign at pickup; the driver counts the pieces.
- At delivery, the consignee counts, notes any shortage or damage on the BOL and signs.
Tips
- Write shortages and damage on the BOL at delivery, before signing. "Subject to inspection" alone rarely helps a later claim.
- Use the same BOL number on the invoice and the delivery receipt, so the paperwork ties together.
- A seal number on the BOL shows the trailer wasn't opened on the way.
- Keep a copy for every party: shipper, carrier and consignee.
Do it in FleetZap
- FleetZap Dispatch plans deliveries and pickups with the truck and driver, optimizes the route and sends the customer an ETA.
- Drivers record proof of delivery on their phone at the stop.
- The truck's odometer and its inspections stay on its record, with any defect turned into a work order.
FleetZap Maintenance
Work orders, PM, parts, compliance, assets and KPIs. Explore FleetZap Maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
What is a bill of lading?
A document the carrier issues for a shipment: a receipt for the freight, the shipping instructions and evidence of the contract of carriage. It names the shipper, consignee and carrier and lists the freight.
Who fills out the bill of lading?
Usually the shipper prepares it, the driver signs it at pickup, and the consignee signs it at delivery. Some carriers and brokers issue their own.
What is an NMFC class?
The freight class from the National Motor Freight Classification, used to price less-than-truckload shipments. It depends on density, handling, stowability and liability.
What's the difference between a BOL and a delivery receipt?
The BOL travels with the freight and covers the whole shipment from pickup; a delivery receipt records what the receiver got at the stop. Many carriers have the consignee sign both.