A bill of lading is a key freight document. In a basic inland shipment it identifies who is shipping, who receives the freight, which carrier is involved and what is being tendered.
Common BOL information
- Shipper and consignee names and addresses
- Carrier and ship date
- BOL, purchase-order or customer reference numbers
- Number and type of handling units
- Freight descriptions
- Weight and freight-class information
- Freight terms
- Special instructions and declared-value information when applicable
What each section of a BOL is doing
The shipper and consignee identify the parties; the carrier section identifies who is transporting the freight; handling-unit and commodity lines describe what is being tendered; weights and freight class help support carrier handling and rating; reference numbers connect the BOL to the order, shipment or customer record.
Common BOL types and workflows
A straight bill of lading is commonly used for routine domestic freight, while ocean shipments use carrier-specific ocean documentation and instructions. The exact form and data requirements can vary by mode and carrier, so the shipping document should match the transportation process rather than being treated as a universal form.
Before the freight is tendered
- Confirm shipper and consignee names and addresses.
- Check package counts, weights and commodity descriptions against the packing list.
- Verify carrier, pickup date and shipment reference numbers.
- Confirm freight class, special instructions and hazardous-material requirements when applicable.
- Keep a copy with the shipment record after the carrier accepts the freight.
Carrier requirements come first
Carriers may use their own forms, electronic systems or specific data requirements. A general-purpose BOL generator is best treated as a preparation tool unless your carrier confirms that the output meets its process.
BOL vs. packing list
The BOL is freight- and carrier-oriented. The packing list is package- and contents-oriented. The same shipment may use both documents.