What is B/L or BOL (Bill of Lading)?

A bill of lading is one of the most important documents in the shipping industry. It is a legally binding document providing the driver and the carrier all the details needed to process the freight shipment and invoice it correctly. It is a legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper that details the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being carried. This document must accompany the shipped products, no matter the form of transportation, and must be signed by an authorized representative from the carrier, shipper, and receiver.

Key takeaways:

The bill of lading (BOL) works as a receipt of freight services, a contract between a freight carrier and shipper and a document of title.

The bill of lading is a legally binding document providing the driver and the carrier all the details needed to process the freight shipment and invoice it correctly.

It acts as a receipt and shipping label for LTL freight shipments and has all the details of what you’re shipping, the origin and the destination.

It states what goods are being shipped, where the shipment is coming from and where it’s headed to.

The Bill of Lading is only issued after vessel departure from the Port of Loading.

What's in a bill of lading?

1.Names and addresses

2.Purchase orders or special reference numbers

3.Special instructions

4.Date

5.Description of items

6.Packaging type

7.Department of Transportation hazardous material designation

Types of Bill of Lading:

Switch Bill of Lading

Clean Bill of Lading

Received for Shipment Bill of Lading

Through Bill of Lading

Clause Bill of Lading (or Dirty Bill of Lading or Foul Bill of Lading)

Container Bill of Lading

House Bill of Lading (or Forwarder's Bill of Lading)

The difference between Airway Bill and Bill of Lading:

An air waybill (AWB), also known as an air consignment note, is a type of bill of lading. However, an AWB serves a similar function to ocean bills of lading, but an AWB is issued in non-negotiable form, meaning there's less protection with an AWB versus bills of lading.

Notes:

What do you need to fill in on the Bill of Lading?

1.Date

2.Purchase order #

3.Shipper #

4.Required: Please select service type

5.Optional: (guaranteed shipping options)

6.Shipper section

7.Consignee section

8.Optional or additional service fees and charges*

9.Shipper’s Bill of Lading #

10.Custom delivery window

11.Special instructions

12.Bill freight charges to

13.Freight charges are prepaid unless marked collect.

14.C.O.D. amount section

15.Remit C.O.D. to

16.Handling Units (H/U)

17.H/U pkg. type

18.Pieces

19.HM(X)

20.Kind of package, description of articles, special marks and exceptions

21.Weight in lbs.

22.NMFC item number

23.Class

24.Cube (optional)

25.Total H/U

26.HM emergency contact section

27.Note (1)

28.Note (2)

29.For international shipments indicate broker name, fax and phone numbers section

30.For freight collect shipments

31.Shipper certification

32.Carrier certification section