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
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.
Reminder: Shipping and export requirements vary by carrier, commodity, destination and transaction. Confirm current requirements with the responsible carrier, forwarder, broker, customer or government agency.