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

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.

Fill in

BOL number

Ship date

Shipper name

Shipper address

Consignee name

Consignee address

Carrier

PRO or tracking number

Customer PO or reference

Freight terms

Special handling instructions

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Bill of Lading Template

Straight Bill of Lading

BOL number: BOL-2026-004417 Ship date: 2026-10-20 Carrier: Regional Freight Lines PRO or tracking number: PRO 7731902 Reference: PO-55820 Freight terms: Prepaid

Ship From (Shipper)

Northgate Components Inc. 1450 Industrial Pkwy Dallas, TX 75247

Ship To (Consignee)

Eastline Assembly LLC 88 Harbor Road Savannah, GA 31408

Commodity Description

Handling units	Type	Pieces	Description	Weight (lb)	Class
2	Pallet	48	Machined brackets, packed in cartons	1,260	70
1	Pallet	12	Hydraulic fittings, boxed	540	85

Special Instructions

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

Receipt and Signatures

Shipper (signature and date) / Date

Carrier driver (signature and date) / Date

Consignee (signature and date) / Date

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.

Generate BOLs from your ERP deliveries

Optional: a short review of how shipping documents could be produced automatically from your ERP delivery data.

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How to use the template

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

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.

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

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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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?

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?

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?

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.

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.

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