Acrobat
What is a bill of lading (BOL) form? Understand its importance for secure goods transportation and to create your own.
Establish clear terms and secure mutual understanding with a memorandum of understanding (MOU). Learn how a bill of lading safeguards your goods during transit, ensures smooth delivery, and get step-by-step guidance to create your own form.
Published by Adobe Acrobat India on 7 April 2025
What is a bill of lading (BOL) form?
A bill of lading (BOL) is a legal shipping document that serves as a contract, receipt, and record of title for goods being transported. It’s used by shippers (consignors), carriers, and receivers (consignees) to ensure the secure and accurate transportation of products.
Whether you’re shipping domestically or internationally, a bill of lading is legally required to move goods. Without it, carriers can’t transport shipments, and recipients can’t accept deliveries. A bill of lading (BOL) is a legal shipping document that serves as:
- Proof of shipment from the sender.
- Receipt of delivery for the receiver.
- Transport contract between the shipper, carrier, and receiver.
It is required to move goods and protects all parties involved in the shipping process.
Who uses a bill of lading?
- Shippers (Consignors): The sender of the goods.
- Carriers: The transport company moving the shipment.
- Receivers (Consignees): The party receiving the goods.
What information does a bill of lading include (and how to create one)?
While BOL formats can vary, the following details are typically included. If you are drafting a BOL be sure to include:
- Shipper and receiver information: Names, addresses, and contact details.
- Carrier information: Transport company responsible for the shipment.
- Shipment details: Description, quantity, weight, and packaging type (e.g., pallets, crates).
- Freight classification: Cargo category for pricing and transport rules.
- Declared value: The estimated worth of the shipment.
- Special instructions: Handling requirements or notes and payment terms (e.g., fragile, temperature-sensitive).
- Signatures: All parties need to sign, this includes shipper, carrier and receiver.
- Hazardous materials: Details if the shipment includes dangerous goods.
How does a bill of lading work?
Issued by shipper:
- Shipper fills out the BOL and hands the goods to the carrier.
- Carrier signs the BOL, confirming receipt of the shipment.
Goods in transit:
- The carrier transports the shipment to the receiver.
Delivery & acknowledgement:
- Upon receiving the goods, the receiver signs the BOL, confirming the shipment arrived as expected.
- Both parties retain a copy for their records.
Types of bill of lading forms:
There are several types of BOLs, each suited to different shipping needs:
Straight bill of lading (Non-negotiable):
- Used for prepaid shipments to a designated recipient.
- Ownership cannot be transferred to another party.
Order bill of lading (Negotiable):
- Allows the receiver to transfer ownership of goods to another party after delivery.
- Common in international trade.
Clean bill of lading:
- Issued when goods are delivered in perfect condition.
- Indicates no damage or discrepancies.
Claused/Dirty bill of lading:
- Documents damage, loss, or issues with the shipment.
- Can lead to disputes or payment delays.
Through bill of lading:
- Covers shipments that pass through multiple locations or borders.
- May require additional inland or ocean BOLs.
Multimodal bill of lading:
- Used when goods are transported by multiple modes (e.g., rail, sea, and truck).
- Sometimes called a combined transport bill of lading.
Short form bill of lading:
- A simplified version with basic shipment details only.
- No terms and conditions on the back, often used for low-risk, routine shipments.
Frequently asked questions
What are the common uses of a bill of lading?
- Domestic shipments: Trucking, rail, or local deliveries.
- International shipments: Import/export through air, sea, and land transport.
- Business transactions: Used by manufacturers, distributors, and retailers for large-volume shipping.
- Freight payments: Supports invoicing, COD payments, and customs clearance.
What’s the difference between digital and paper BOLs?
Paper BOLs:
- Require physical copies and signatures from all parties.
- Can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
Digital BOLs:
- Allow e-signatures, faster processing, and secure storage.
- Streamline shipping workflows and reduce paperwork delays.
Using tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro can simplify freight documentation:
- Create BOL templates for reuse.
- Collect e-signatures from shippers, carriers, and receivers.
- Track, update, and archive documents digitally.
Digital workflows help businesses manage shipping paperwork more efficiently, reducing errors and keeping deliveries on schedule.
Where can I find a bill of lading template?
More resources
https://main--dc--adobecom.hlx.page/dc-shared/fragments/roc/blog/business/do-more-with-acrobat-blade
