What is a Bill of Lading?

A Bill of Lading (BOL) is a legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper detailing the type, quantity, and destination of goods being carried. It serves three roles: a receipt of cargo, a contract between shipper and carrier, and a document of title under certain forms.

History & legal basis

The BOL evolved from medieval merchant practice; modern US law codifies it under 49 USC §80101 et seq. (the Pomerene Act for through bills) and 49 USC §14706 (Carmack Amendment for carrier liability).

Generate your BOL

Free · No signup · PDF download · VICS-format

Form type

BOL NumberShip DateFreight Charge TermsMaster BOL?Includes underlying BOLs

Ship From (Shipper)

Name *ContactPhoneEmailAddress line 1Address line 2City

StateZIPFOB

Ship To (Consignee)

Name *ContactPhoneEmailAddress line 1Address line 2City

StateZIPFOB

CarrierCarrier nameSCACPRO #Trailer #Seal #

Line items

Line 1

HU qtyHU typePkg qtyPkg typeWeight (lb)Hazmat?Yes (X)

Description

NMFC #Class

Density-based class lookup (L × W × H + weight)

Length (in)Width (in)Height (in)Weight (lb)

Third-party billing (optional)

NameContactPhoneEmailAddress line 1Address line 2City

StateZIPFOB

Customer order section (optional)

No customer orders. Add one if your shipment references PO numbers.

CoD + special instructions

CoD amount ($)CoD fee terms

Special instructions

Loaded by / counted by (carrier section)

Trailer loaded byFreight counted by

Signatures (optional)

Shipper signature

Sign here

Date

Carrier signature

Sign here

Date

Consignee signature

Sign here

Date

Tool-output, not legal advice. Verify NMFC classes and hazmat declarations before signing.

What is a Bill of Lading?

History & legal basis

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