Bill of Lading with a Supplement
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Contents

The Standard Bill of Lading (BOL) form is a crucial document in the shipping and logistics industry, serving multiple purposes that ensure the smooth transportation of goods. It acts as a contract between the shipper and the carrier, detailing essential information such as the names and addresses of both the sender and recipient, as well as any third-party billing arrangements. The form includes a unique Bill of Lading number, which helps track the shipment throughout its journey. Additionally, it outlines the specific freight charges, which are typically prepaid unless indicated otherwise, and allows for special instructions to be noted for handling the shipment. Important details regarding the contents of the shipment, including the weight, quantity, and description of the commodities, are also captured. For items requiring special care, the form provides a space for necessary markings to ensure safe handling. Furthermore, it includes sections for signatures from both the shipper and the carrier, confirming receipt of the goods and their condition. This comprehensive documentation is essential not only for legal protection but also for facilitating efficient logistics operations.

➤ Standard Bill Of Lading PDF

Common PDF Templates

Bill of Lading Template Canada - Using this standard form helps streamline shipping processes across government agencies.

Free Bol Template - In the event of a claim, the Straight Bill of Lading serves as a primary piece of evidence.

Documents used along the form

The Standard Bill of Lading (BOL) is a crucial document in the shipping industry, providing essential information about the shipment. Alongside the BOL, several other forms and documents are often utilized to ensure smooth transportation and compliance with regulations. Here are five common documents that are frequently used in conjunction with the Standard Bill of Lading:

  • Master Bill of Lading: This document serves as a contract between the shipper and the carrier, detailing the overall shipment. It can include multiple underlying bills of lading and is essential for tracking and managing freight across different carriers.
  • Freight Invoice: A freight invoice outlines the charges associated with the transportation of goods. It provides a breakdown of costs, including freight charges, accessorial fees, and any additional services rendered during transit.
  • Shipping Instructions: This document contains specific guidelines for the handling and delivery of the shipment. It may include details about packaging, delivery timelines, and any special requirements that the carrier must follow.
  • Delivery Receipt: A delivery receipt is signed by the recipient upon receiving the shipment. It serves as proof of delivery and confirms that the goods were received in the expected condition, which is important for resolving any disputes regarding the shipment.
  • Customs Declaration: For international shipments, a customs declaration is required to provide information about the contents of the shipment for customs clearance. This document helps ensure compliance with import/export regulations and may include details such as the value and classification of the goods.

These documents, when used alongside the Standard Bill of Lading, help streamline the shipping process and ensure all parties involved have the necessary information for a successful transaction. Proper documentation is vital for compliance and can prevent delays or issues during transportation.

Common mistakes

  1. Incomplete Information: Failing to fill out all required fields can lead to delays. Ensure that every section, such as shipper and consignee details, is complete.

  2. Incorrect Addresses: Providing inaccurate or incomplete addresses can result in misdeliveries. Double-check the city, state, and zip code for accuracy.

  3. Omitting Freight Charge Terms: Not specifying whether freight charges are prepaid or collect can create confusion. Clearly indicate the payment terms to avoid disputes.

  4. Neglecting Special Instructions: If there are specific handling requirements, failing to include these instructions can lead to mishandling. Always note any special care needed for the shipment.

  5. Incorrect Commodity Descriptions: Providing vague or incorrect descriptions of the goods can result in issues with transportation. Ensure the commodity is accurately described and classified.

  6. Not Indicating Hazardous Materials: If the shipment contains hazardous materials, it is crucial to mark this clearly. Failing to do so can pose safety risks and legal consequences.

  7. Missing Signatures: Not obtaining required signatures from the shipper or carrier can invalidate the bill of lading. Ensure all necessary parties sign the document.

  8. Ignoring Total Weight and Package Count: Omitting the total weight and package count can lead to discrepancies. Always provide accurate totals to facilitate proper handling and billing.

File Overview

Fact Name Description
Purpose The Standard Bill of Lading serves as a legal document between the shipper and carrier, detailing the transportation of goods.
Governing Laws The Bill of Lading is governed by federal regulations, specifically 49 U.S.C. § 14706, which addresses liability for loss or damage.
Components This form includes sections for shipper and receiver information, carrier details, freight charges, and special instructions.
Liability Limitations Shippers must declare the value of goods to limit liability for loss or damage, as required by federal law.
Special Instructions Shippers can include special handling instructions to ensure proper care during transportation.
Signature Requirement Both the shipper and carrier must sign the Bill of Lading to acknowledge receipt and agreement to the terms outlined.

Key takeaways

Here are some key takeaways for filling out and using the Standard Bill of Lading form:

  • Accurate Information: Ensure all fields are filled out accurately. This includes details like shipper and receiver names, addresses, and contact information.
  • Freight Charges: Clearly indicate freight charge terms. Specify if charges are prepaid or collect to avoid confusion later.
  • Special Instructions: Use the special instructions section to highlight any unique handling requirements for your shipment.
  • Commodity Details: Provide complete descriptions of the commodities being shipped. Include weight, quantity, and any special care needed.
  • Signatures Required: Obtain necessary signatures from both the shipper and carrier. This confirms that the shipment is in good order and meets all regulations.

Misconceptions

Here are some common misconceptions about the Standard Bill of Lading form:

  1. It is only used for large shipments. Many believe that the Bill of Lading is only necessary for big freight. In reality, it applies to all types of shipments, regardless of size.
  2. It guarantees delivery. Some think that having a Bill of Lading guarantees that their shipment will arrive on time. While it is an important document, delivery times can still vary due to unforeseen circumstances.
  3. All Bills of Lading are the same. There is a misconception that every Bill of Lading is identical. Different types exist, such as straight and negotiable, each serving distinct purposes.
  4. It is not legally binding. Some people assume that a Bill of Lading is just a formality. In fact, it is a legally binding document that outlines the terms of the shipment.
  5. It can be altered after shipment. Many think they can change details on the Bill of Lading after the shipment has been made. However, once signed, it is generally considered final and binding.
  6. Only the shipper needs to sign it. Some believe that only the shipper's signature is required. In truth, the carrier must also sign it to acknowledge receipt of the goods.
  7. It is not necessary for international shipments. There is a belief that the Bill of Lading is only for domestic shipments. However, it is equally important for international freight, serving as a receipt and contract.
  8. It covers all liabilities. Some assume that the Bill of Lading covers all potential liabilities. In reality, it may have limitations, and shippers should be aware of these before signing.

Standard Bill Of Lading Preview

II. The Standard Bill of Lading Form

GS1 US (VICS) Standard BOL: http://www.gs1us.org/, then click Logistics for complete BOL guideline information

Date:

BILL OF LADING

Page

SUPPLEMENTAL BAR CODE AREA

 

SHIP FROM

Name:

 

 

Address:

 

 

City/State/Zip:

 

 

SID#:

FOB:

 

 

SHIP TO

 

Name:

Location #:

Address:

 

 

City/State/Zip:

 

 

CID#:

FOB:

 

Bill of Lading Number:

CARRIER NAME:

Trailer number:

Seal number(s):

SCAC:

Pro number:

 

 

THIRD PARTY FREIGHT CHARGES BILL TO:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freight Charge Terms: (freight charges are prepaid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

unless marked otherwise)

3rd Party _____

City/State/Zip:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid _____

Collect _____

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Master Bill of Lading: with attached

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(check box)

underlying Bills of Lading

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CUSTOMER ORDER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

CUSTOMER ORDER NUMBER

# PKGS

WEIGHT

PALLET/

 

ADDITIONAL SHIPPER INFO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SLIP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Y

 

N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Y

 

N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Y

 

N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Y

 

N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRAND TOTALS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CARRIER

INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

HANDLING UNIT

PACKAGE

 

 

 

 

COMMODITY DESCRIPTION

LTL ONLY

QTY

 

TYPE

QTY TYPE

WEIGHT

H.M.

Commodities requiring special or additional care or attention in handling or stowing must be so

NMFC #

CLASS

 

 

 

 

 

(X)

 

 

marked and packaged as to ensure safe transportation with ordinary care.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Section 2(e) of NMFC Item 360

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRAND TOTAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where the rate is dependent on value, shippers are required to state specifically in

COD Amount: $ ____________________

 

 

 

writing the agreed or declared value of the property as follows:

Fee Terms:

Collect:

Prepaid:

 

 

 

“The agreed or declared value of the property is specifically stated by the shipper

 

 

 

to be not

Customer check acceptable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

exceeding _______________________ per

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

___________________________________.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE Liability Limitation for loss or damage in this shipment may be applicable. See 49 U.S.C. ß 14706(c)(1)(A) and (B).

RECEIVED, subject to individually determined rates or contracts that have been

 

The carrier shall not make delivery of this shipment without payment of freight

agreed upon in writing between the carrier and shipper, if applicable, otherwise to

 

and all other lawful charges.

 

the rates, classifications and rules that have been established by the carrier and

 

 

 

_________________________________________________Shipper Signature

are available to the shipper, on request., and to all applicable state and federal

 

 

 

 

 

 

regulations.

 

 

 

 

 

SHIPPER SIGNATURE / DATE

Trailer

Freight Counted:

CARRIER SIGNATURE / PICKUP DATE

 

Loaded:

 

By Shipper

 

This is to certify that the above named materials are properly classified,

By

 

Carrier acknowledges receipt of packages and required placards. Carrier certifies emergency

packaged, marked and labeled, and are in proper condition for transportation

Shipper

 

By Driver/pallets said to

response information was made available and/or carrier has the DOT emergency response

according to the applicable regulations of the DOT.

 

guidebook or equivalent documentation in the vehicle.

 

 

contain

Property described above is received in good order, except as noted.

______________________________

By

 

By Driver/Pieces

_______________________________________

_

Driver

 

 

 

 

RECEIVING STAMP AREA

II. The Standard Bill of Lading Form

GS1 US (VICS) Standard BOL: http://www.gs1us.org/, then click Logistics for complete BOL guideline information

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENT TO THE BILL OF LADING

 

 

 

Page ………..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bill of Lading Number: ____________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CUSTOMER ORDER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CUSTOMER ORDER NUMBER

 

# PKGS

 

 

WEIGHT

PALLET/SLIP

 

ADDITIONAL SHIPPER INFO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(CIRCLE ONE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PAGE SUBTOTAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CARRIER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HANDLING UNIT

PACKAGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMODITY DESCRITPION

 

LTL ONLY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHT

 

H.M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NMFC #

 

 

CLASS

QTY

TYPE

QTY

TYPE

 

 

Commodities requiring special or additional care or attention in handling or stowing must be so marked

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(X)

 

 

 

 

and packaged as to ensure safe transportation with ordinary care.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Section 2(e) of NMFC Item 360

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAGE SUBTOTAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL BAR CODE AREA

Dos and Don'ts

Things to Do When Filling Out the Standard Bill of Lading Form:

  • Provide accurate information for the shipper and consignee, including names and addresses.
  • Clearly indicate the Bill of Lading number and carrier name.
  • Specify the freight charge terms, marking prepaid or collect as necessary.
  • Ensure that all required signatures are obtained, including those of the shipper and carrier.
  • Mark any hazardous materials clearly and provide the appropriate NMFC number and class.

Things Not to Do When Filling Out the Standard Bill of Lading Form:

  • Do not leave any required fields blank; incomplete forms can cause delays.
  • Avoid using vague descriptions for commodities; be specific to prevent misunderstandings.
  • Do not forget to check the box for any special instructions or additional information.
  • Refrain from altering the form; any changes should be made in writing and initialed.
  • Do not assume that the carrier will handle all charges; clarify payment responsibilities upfront.