Issued by
Shipper or Carrier
Received by
Consignee (Receiver)
How long to keep it
Motor carriers and brokers keep copies for 1 year
49 CFR Part 379, Appendix A (opens in a new tab)When it's used
- LTL shipments
- FTL shipments
- Freight claims
- Customs clearance
Legal significance
The BOL serves as a legally binding contract between shipper and carrier. It is evidence of the contract of carriage, receipt of goods, and document of title.
What goes on it
| Field | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Shipper Information | Name, address, and contact details of the senderExample: ABC Packaging Co., 123 Industrial Blvd, Houston TX 77001 | Yes |
| Consignee Information | Name, address, and contact details of the receiver | Yes |
| Carrier Information | Trucking company name and contact details | Yes |
| PRO Number | Progressive Rotating Order number assigned by carrierExample: PRO# 123456789 | Yes |
| Commodity Description | Detailed description of goods being shippedExample: 48x40 GMA Pallets, Grade B, Qty: 500 | Yes |
| Weight | Total weight of shipment in pounds | Yes |
| Freight Class | NMFC freight classification for pricingExample: Class 85 | Yes |
| Special Instructions | Handling requirements, delivery instructions | No |
| Freight Terms | Prepaid, Collect, or Third Party billing | Yes |
| Signatures | Shipper and driver signatures confirming pickup | Yes |
Blank template
Blank Bill of Lading (BOL) template
Official sources
Related documents
Proof of Delivery (POD)
Proof of Delivery (POD) is a document signed by the receiver confirming that goods were delivered. It protects all parties in a transaction.
Weight Ticket
A weight ticket (scale ticket) is an official document from a certified scale showing the weight of a shipment, used for freight pricing and load verification.
Packing Slip
A packing slip is a document that accompanies a shipment, listing the contents for verification during receiving.