Bill of Lading example
A completed short-form bill of lading for two freight lines of boxed furniture moving from Iowa to Ohio, prepaid.
| Carrier | Ridgeline Freight Lines |
|---|---|
| SCAC | RDGF |
| PRO number | 7730041185 |
| Trailer / seal | TR-5521 / SL-009184 |
| Freight charge terms | Prepaid (shipper pays) |
| Units | Type | HM | Description of articles | NMFC # | Class | Weight (lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Pallet | Wood dining tables, boxed | 125 | 1,640 | ||
| 6 | Carton | Wood chairs, knocked down, boxed | 150 | 540 |
Liftgate required at delivery. Call the receiving dock 24 hours before arrival.
Received by the carrier, in apparent good order except as noted, the goods described above for delivery to the consignee at the address shown. Transportation is subject to the rates and terms agreed in writing between the shipper and the carrier or, if none, to the carrier's own published rates and rules, available on request.
Want to start from this example? Use Load the example above the form, then replace the details with yours.
How to fill out a bill of lading
A bill of lading is filled out by the shipper before the pickup, then signed by the driver when the freight leaves the dock. Work through it in this order so nothing is missing when the truck arrives.
- Number and date the BOL. Give each shipment its own BOL number, ideally one your accounting can match to the order or invoice, and enter the pickup date.
- Enter the shipper and consignee. Write the full names, pickup and delivery addresses, and a contact phone at each end. Delivery problems most often start with an incomplete address.
- Add the carrier references. Enter the carrier name and, if you have them, the SCAC code, trailer, seal and PRO numbers. The driver can add a PRO number at pickup.
- Choose who pays the freight. Select prepaid, collect or third party. For third-party billing, enter the name and address that should receive the freight invoice.
- Describe each freight line. For each line, give the number of handling units, the package type, a plain description, the weight and, for LTL freight, the NMFC item and class. The generator totals units and weight.
- Sign at pickup and keep copies. The shipper and driver sign when the freight is loaded. The consignee signs on delivery, noting any visible damage or shortage before signing.
What is a bill of lading?
A bill of lading (BOL) is the document that travels with a freight shipment. It works as a receipt for the goods handed to the carrier, records the terms under which they are carried, and tells the driver who sent the freight, where it goes and who pays for it.
For truck freight inside the United States, most shipments move on a straight bill of lading: a non-negotiable document consigned to a named receiver. The short form puts the essential terms on a single page, while the carrier's detailed terms are incorporated by reference.
What to include on a BOL
- BOL number and date
- A unique reference for the shipment and the pickup date.
- Shipper and consignee
- Names, full addresses and contacts for pickup and delivery.
- Carrier details
- Carrier name, SCAC, trailer and seal numbers, and the PRO number used for tracking.
- Freight charge terms
- Prepaid, collect or third party, with a billing address when a third party pays.
- Freight lines
- Handling units, package type, hazardous materials flag, description, NMFC item, class and weight.
- Special instructions
- Liftgate, appointment, inside delivery or temperature needs that affect how the carrier handles the load.
- Signatures
- Shipper and driver at pickup; consignee at delivery.
Freight class and NMFC numbers explained
Less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers price freight partly by its class. Classes are published in the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), maintained by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). There are 18 classes, from 50 to 500; in general, dense, sturdy freight that is easy to handle falls in a lower class, while light, bulky or fragile freight falls in a higher one.
Each commodity has an NMFC item number that determines its class. If you are unsure of the item or class for your goods, ask your carrier or check the NMFC directly: an incorrect class can lead to a reclassification and an adjusted freight bill.
Straight vs. order bill of lading
| Straight BOL | Order BOL | |
|---|---|---|
| Negotiable | No | Yes |
| Consigned to | A named consignee | The order of a party, often a bank |
| Typical use | Domestic truck freight, prepaid shipments | International trade financed by letters of credit |
| Release of goods | To the named consignee | To the holder of the endorsed original |
Excel, Google Sheets, Word or PDF
Download the PDF to print and hand to the driver, or the Word file to adjust the layout. The Excel version keeps the freight lines in columns with live totals for units and weight. To use it in Google Sheets, upload the XLSX file to Google Drive and open it with Google Sheets; the formulas carry over.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free BOL template I can fill in online?
Yes. This page is a free BOL template with a built-in generator: complete the form, check the preview and download a short-form bill of lading as a PDF, Word or Excel file. There is no account and no watermark, and the document is created in your browser, so shipment details stay on your device.
Who fills out the bill of lading?
The shipper usually prepares the bill of lading, because the shipper knows what is being sent, to whom and on what terms. The carrier's driver checks the freight against it at pickup and signs, and the consignee signs on delivery. Some carriers or freight brokers prepare the BOL for the shipper instead.
Is a bill of lading the same as a packing list?
No. A packing list details the contents of each package for the receiver and for inventory. A bill of lading is the carrier's document: it records that the carrier received the freight, the terms of transport and who pays. Shipments often travel with both, and the totals should match.
What is a short form bill of lading?
A short form bill of lading fits the shipment details and signatures on one page and refers to the carrier's published terms instead of printing them in full. It is the version most shippers use for everyday domestic truck freight. A long form prints the complete terms and conditions on the document itself.
Can I use this bill of lading with any carrier?
Many carriers accept a shipper-prepared straight bill of lading, but some require their own form or a BOL generated in their system, and each carrier applies its own tariff and liability terms. Before the pickup, ask your carrier whether this form is accepted and what references it needs on it.