Freight document template
Bill of Lading Form
Open a ready-made bill of lading in your browser, fill in the shipment details, add your signature and download it as a PDF. No account is needed.
- Opens in your browser
- No account needed
- Download as PDF or print
What is a bill of lading?
A bill of lading (BOL) is the shipping document that travels with a load. It records who is shipping the freight, who is receiving it, which carrier is hauling it and what is on the truck.
It usually does three jobs at once. It is a receipt for the goods the carrier picked up, it is evidence of the agreement to move them, and it gives the driver, the shipper and the receiver one document to check the freight against. A signed copy is also what most brokers and shippers ask for when it is time to invoice.
There is no single government-issued BOL form for truckload freight, so shippers, brokers and carriers commonly use their own layout as long as the key details are on it. Check what your customer expects before you rely on any template.
What goes on a bill of lading
- BOL number and date
- A unique number for the shipment, so the paperwork can be matched to the freight, plus the ship date and any PO or reference numbers.
- Shipper
- The company sending the freight, with the pickup address and a contact name and phone number.
- Consignee
- The company receiving the freight, with the delivery address and a contact.
- Carrier and driver
- The carrier's name and MC or USDOT number, the driver, the truck and trailer numbers and the seal number if one is used.
- Freight description
- Number of pieces, packaging type, a plain description of the goods, the weight and whether the load includes hazardous materials.
- Special instructions and payment terms
- Handling notes, appointment details and whether freight charges are prepaid, collect or billed to a third party.
- Signatures
- The shipper at pickup, the driver at pickup and the consignee at delivery, each with a date.
How to fill out a bill of lading
Open the template
Select Fill out a bill of lading. The form opens in the editor, ready to fill in. You do not need an account.
Add the shipment details
Click each field and type the BOL number, date, reference numbers and the shipper, consignee and carrier details.
List the freight
Enter the pieces, packaging, description and weight, and note if the load includes hazardous materials.
Add instructions and payment terms
Fill in any handling notes, appointment details and how the freight charges are being paid.
Sign and download
Add your signature and date, then download the finished BOL as a PDF or print it for the driver.
Bill of lading questions
What is a bill of lading?
A bill of lading is the document that travels with a shipment. It names the shipper, the consignee and the carrier, describes the freight and is signed at pickup and delivery. It acts as a receipt for the goods and as evidence of the agreement to carry them.
How do I fill out a bill of lading?
Add the BOL number and date, the shipper, consignee and carrier details, then describe the freight with pieces, packaging, weight and any hazardous materials. Add handling instructions and payment terms, then sign and date it. The template above walks you through each field.
Who signs a bill of lading?
The shipper and the driver normally sign at pickup, and the consignee signs at delivery. The signed copy is what the carrier keeps as proof the freight was handed over and received.
Do I need a separate BOL for every load?
Yes. Each shipment normally gets its own BOL number so the paperwork can be matched to the freight it describes.
What is the difference between a straight and an order bill of lading?
A straight bill of lading names a specific consignee and cannot be transferred to someone else. An order bill of lading can be transferred by endorsement. Most truckload freight moves on a straight bill of lading.
Can I download or print the bill of lading?
Yes. When you are done you can download the completed form as a PDF or print it. You do not need to create an account, and there is no watermark on the file.
Ready to fill out your bill of lading?
Open the template, fill it in, sign it and download it as a PDF.
Or upload your own file