# Bill of Lading (BOL) Template: Fill In and Export

> Source: https://netray.co/tools/bill-of-lading-template
> Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems.
> Section: Free Tools

## Short answer

A fill-in straight bill of lading with shipper, consignee, carrier, commodity lines and signature blocks. Exports to PDF, Word or Excel.

## Category

supply-chain

## Industry

Warehousing and Logistics

## Audience

- Warehouse manager
- Shipping supervisor
- Logistics coordinator

## Tool

**Kind:** template

**Output:** document

**Fields:**

#### BOL number

**Key:** bol_no

**Type:** text

**Default:** BOL-2026-004417

#### Ship date

**Key:** ship_date

**Type:** date

**Default:** 2026-10-20

#### Shipper name

**Key:** shipper

**Type:** text

**Default:** Northgate Components Inc.

#### Shipper address

**Key:** shipper_addr

**Type:** textarea

**Default:** 1450 Industrial Pkwy
Dallas, TX 75247

#### Consignee name

**Key:** consignee

**Type:** text

**Default:** Eastline Assembly LLC

#### Consignee address

**Key:** consignee_addr

**Type:** textarea

**Default:** 88 Harbor Road
Savannah, GA 31408

#### Carrier

**Key:** carrier

**Type:** text

**Default:** Regional Freight Lines

#### PRO or tracking number

**Key:** pro_no

**Type:** text

**Default:** PRO 7731902

#### Customer PO or reference

**Key:** po_ref

**Type:** text

**Default:** PO-55820

#### Freight terms

**Key:** terms

**Type:** select

**Options:**

- Prepaid
- Collect
- Third party

**Default:** Prepaid

#### Special handling instructions

**Key:** handling

**Type:** textarea

**Default:** Liftgate delivery. Call consignee 24 hours before arrival. Do not double stack.

**Blocks:**

#### Straight Bill of Lading

**Body:** BOL number: {{bol_no}}
Ship date: {{ship_date}}
Carrier: {{carrier}}
PRO or tracking number: {{pro_no}}
Reference: {{po_ref}}
Freight terms: {{terms}}

#### Ship From (Shipper)

**Body:** {{shipper}}
{{shipper_addr}}

#### Ship To (Consignee)

**Body:** {{consignee}}
{{consignee_addr}}

#### Commodity Description

**Table:**

**Columns:**

- Handling units
- Type
- Pieces
- Description
- Weight (lb)
- Class
- NMFC
- HM (X)

**Rows:**

**0:** 2

**1:** Pallet

**2:** 48

**3:** Machined brackets, packed in cartons

**4:** 1,260

**5:** 70

**0:** 1

**1:** Pallet

**2:** 12

**3:** Hydraulic fittings, boxed

**4:** 540

**5:** 85

#### Special Instructions

**Body:** {{handling}}

#### Receipt and Signatures

**Signatures:**

- Shipper (signature and date)
- Carrier driver (signature and date)
- Consignee (signature and date)

**Notes:** A starting point, not legal advice. Your carrier's own BOL terms and tariff govern the shipment, and many carriers require their own form for LTL pickups. Freight class and NMFC item numbers must come from the current NMFC classification for your commodity. Mark the hazardous materials column only when you have completed hazmat classification and shipping papers separately.

## Content

**Intro:** A bill of lading is the contract of carriage and the receipt for goods between shipper and carrier. This template gives you a clean straight BOL you can fill in at the dock, print, and sign before the driver leaves.

**Sections:**

#### How to use the template

**Body:** Enter the shipper, consignee and carrier details in the fields, then fill the commodity table with one row per product description and handling unit type. Export to PDF for the driver, Word if your carrier wants edits, or Excel if you log BOLs in a register. Print three copies: one for the driver, one for the consignee and one for your files. Match the BOL number to your ERP shipment or delivery document so the paperwork and the transaction can be traced to each other.

#### What each section means

**Body:** The shipper and consignee blocks establish who is sending and receiving. The commodity table is the part carriers audit: handling units, piece count, weight, freight class and NMFC item number drive the freight charge. The special instructions block is where appointment, liftgate, inside delivery and stacking limits belong, because accessorial charges are billed from what is documented at pickup.

**Bullets:**

- Handling units are pallets, crates or drums, not individual pieces
- Weight should be the scale or calculated gross weight, including pallet
- Freight class depends on density, stowability, handling and liability
- Freight terms decide who pays: prepaid, collect or third party

#### Reading the signatures

**Body:** The carrier driver's signature at pickup confirms the number of handling units received, and it is the evidence you will need if freight goes missing. Count the pallets with the driver before signing. If the count is wrong or the freight is visibly damaged, note it on the BOL before it is signed, not afterwards. The consignee signs on delivery and should note exceptions such as crushed cartons or shortages on the delivery copy.

#### Common mistakes

**Body:** Most BOL problems are avoidable at the dock. Wrong weights trigger reweigh and reclassification charges. A vague description such as general freight can lead to a higher class. Missing the consignee phone number or delivery appointment requirement causes failed deliveries and redelivery fees. Reusing an old BOL number makes claims and invoice audits harder. Keep a register of numbers used and tie each one to an ERP shipment.

**Cta:** If shipping paperwork is still keyed by hand from your ERP, we can generate the BOL data straight from the delivery document inside your own environment.

**Faq:**

#### Is a bill of lading the same as a packing list?

**Answer:** No. A packing list describes the contents of the shipment for the receiver. A bill of lading is a legal document between shipper and carrier that acts as a receipt, a contract of carriage and, for a straight BOL, evidence of title direction. Most shipments need both.

#### What is the difference between a straight and an order BOL?

**Answer:** A straight bill of lading names a specific consignee and is not negotiable, so goods are released to that party. An order bill of lading is negotiable and can be endorsed to another party. Domestic truck freight normally uses a straight BOL.

#### Do I need an NMFC number on every line?

**Answer:** For LTL freight, the National Motor Freight Classification item number and class determine the rate, so carriers expect them. Truckload shipments are often priced by lane and may not need them. Check your carrier agreement.

#### Can I use this form instead of my carrier's BOL?

**Answer:** Often yes, but some carriers insist on their own form or electronic BOL for pickups. This template is useful for internal records, parcel-adjacent shipments and as a clean starting layout. Confirm with the carrier before relying on it.

## Search terms

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