The Meaning of Bill of Lading: Definition, Purpose & Types

Today, we’re going to talk about what exactly a bill of lading is, why you need them, what people use them for, and how you can track and process them efficiently. Also, I’m going to cover some of the most efficient ways to keep track of freight to help your business run more smoothly.

What Is a Bill of Lading?

The bill of lading, or BOL, at its most basic, is a legal document. This legal document protects the shipper, the carrier, and the customer all in one place. Acting as a contract between all parties, the bill of lading contains all pertinent information about a given shipment. For instance, it lists the names as well as, typically, the addresses and phone numbers of shippers and consignees. Also, it includes an itemized list of the goods being transported. This list should include the quantity as well as the weight of the cargo.

The bill of lading will also spell out any special instructions for the shipment. For example, if the consignee wants the shipper to contact the delivery location 24 hours before delivery, then that can be on the bill of lading for the carrier to view.

Last, the bill of lading will reflect the payment terms and amount of payment. This payment is the agreed-on contract between the shipper and the carrier of the freight.

A bill of lading is the backbone of keeping track of any freight you choose to ship or haul.

What Is the Purpose of Bill of Lading?

The bill of lading has several functions. It provides evidence that a shipper has entrusted the release of a consignee’s goods to a carrier to be transported. As such, the carrier must have a copy of the bill of lading—either at the point of arrival for loading of the cargo or before then.

The document also acts as a receipt of receiving the product at the consignee. For instance, if the customer believes they ordered a quantity other than what they’ve received, then the bill of lading will act as the evidence of what the parties actually agreed on. Let’s say the customer received four pallets but was expecting five. In this case, the carrier would reference the bill of lading. If the document shows four pallets, the carrier has protection from any repercussions. Conversely, if the bill of lading shows five pallets, the customer can file a claim, and a court may hold the carrier liable.

Furthermore, the bill of lading acts as a title of ownership of goods. At first, the shipper owns the product. Next, the shipper releases the product to a carrier. Finally, the consignee receives and owns the product. This chain of command protects all three parties. Throughout the process of shipping, transportation, and receiving, the bill of lading is the sole proof of transaction.

What’s Included in a Bill of Lading?

Let’s look closer at an example of a bill of lading and what you’ll find on it.

• Date – The date on top represents the date the BOL was issued.
• Ship From – This section shows the name and address of the pickup location of the shipment.
• Ship To – The name and address of the delivery location.

• Bill To – Tells the carrier who to bill for the shipment once complete.
• Special Instructions – This box will hold any notable information the carrier needs at pick up, be it a contact name, required equipment, etc.
• Carrier Information – There are a few pieces here. We have the carrier name, followed by the number of the trailer that the driver is hauling, a seal number if applicable, and the carrier’s SCAC code.
• Freight Charge Terms – This is where there’ll be mark if the carrier needs to pick up a cash or check on delivery, or if the load has already been prepaid by the customer.
• Customer Order Information – Here’s where you’ll find the order number(s) being shipped, as well as the number of pieces, the weight of each shipment, and additional information the shipper wants the carrier to have.

• Carrier Information – This is really just a more in-depth breakdown of the customer order information, including a specific description of the commodity being carried.
• Signatures – Finally at the bottom, you’ll find checkboxes for who loaded and counted the contents of the trailer, and signature lines for the necessary parties.

Types of BOLs

There are many types of BOLs, depending on the type of freight and the arrangement between the parties involved. These are thirteen of the most common BOL types:

1. Switch Bill of Lading
2. Clean Bill of Lading
3. Received for Shipment Bill of Lading
4. Through Bill of Lading
5. Clause Bill of Lading (or Dirty Bill of Lading or Foul Bill of Lading)
6. Container Bill of Lading
7. House Bill of Lading (or Forwarder’s Bill of Lading)
8. Master Bill of Lading
9. Charter Party Bill of Lading
10. Stale Bill of Lading
11. Straight Bill of Lading (or Consignment Bill of Lading)
12. Bearer Bill of Lading
13. Surrender Bill of Lading

The Evolving Importance of Bills of Lading in Modern Shipping

The bill of lading is crucial in modern logistics for accurately documenting, tracking, and receiving shipments. While its purpose as a legal document, proof of shipment, and communication tool remains the same, its management has evolved. Understanding its role helps shippers, carriers, and consignees avoid delays, disputes, and costly errors.

Technology has further streamlined this process. Electronic bills of lading (eBOLs), OCR, and document imaging apps enable digital creation, signing, and sharing, speeding up processing and payment while reducing errors. These tools improve visibility and efficiency across the supply chain.

Combining knowledge of the bill of lading’s function with digital tools, all parties enhance communication, accountability, and logistics flow—key to staying efficient and competitive.

Understanding the Bill of Lading’s Role in Logistics

The bill of lading serves distinct purposes for shippers, carriers, and consignees, offering protection, clarity, and proof of transactions at every stage of the shipping process. Let’s explore how the BOL benefits each party involved.

For Shippers

Shippers rely on the bill of lading to document precisely what goods were shipped and in what quantity. If goods are lost or damaged in transit, the shipper can use the BOL to file a claim against the carrier.

For Carriers

The BOL is critical for carriers, as it outlines pickup and delivery details, payment terms, and shipment specifics. It also protects the carrier by acting as proof of delivery and condition of the goods.

For Consignees

Consignees use the bill of lading to verify that the shipment matches the order. If discrepancies arise, the consignee can reference the BOL to seek recourse with the shipper or carrier.

Key Bill of Lading Needs for Shippers

In the logistics business, the company that’s shipping the product from one location to another is the shipper. Often the shipper has made an agreement with a consignee to deliver goods from one predetermined location to another. To meet this agreement, a shipper will hire a carrier for transport. The bill of lading is the contract between the shipper and the carrier.

The shipper, like the other parties, gets protection from this contract. Primarily, it protects the shipper from theft and fraud. The document explains exactly what the cargo is and how much is required to be transported. Therefore, if on arrival of delivery, the type or amount of goods received by the consignee don’t match the bill of lading, then the shipper has recourse against the carrier.

This recourse typically happens through filing a claim. Note that a claim is not only for a loss of goods but for damage as well. Should a carrier damage the cargo in transit, the shipper may also file a claim. The result of any such claim would be a demand of reparations from the carrier.

What Carriers Need from the Bill of Lading

First and foremost, the carrier is the party that issues the BOL. The BOL is issued after the goods are loaded on the carrier’s truck or vessel. At that point, the contractual nature of the BOL transfer kicks in. You can learn more about this topic here.

The carrier is the transportation company that agrees to transport the goods from and to the designated locations the shipper provides on the bill of lading. The bill of lading is usually the most important document for the carrier. Beyond being a contract with the shipper, the document provides all the necessary information for transportation. The carrier will see addresses, phone numbers, type and quantity of goods, and an agreement of payment amount.

In turn, the bill of lading also protects the carrier. It ensures the airline receives the amount the shipper agreed to pay for the transport. Furthermore, because both the shipping and receiving parties sign the bill of lading, it acts as a receipt for the carrier’s work. It’s proven documentation that the carrier picked up and delivered the freight as expected. Also, it certifies that the carrier delivered the cargo in its expected condition. This prevents the shipper and receiver from making fraudulent claims about the transportation of the goods after the fact.

The bill of lading is the contract between the shipper and the carrier.

The Consignee’s Requirements

Finally, the consignee will use the bill of lading to sign and confirm receipt of its goods as expected. The bill of lading is the receipt the consignee can provide for the carrier. The consignee’s workers can also use the bill of lading to confirm that the shipment delivered to them is what the company expected. Should the quantity or condition of the goods not meet expectations, the consignee could seek repercussions with the shipper, noting any concerns on the bill of lading.

Essential Legal Elements of a Bill of Lading

It’s worth noting the information required by federal law to be included on every BOL. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) lists the following requirements:

• Name of the consignor
• Name of the consignee
• Origin name and address
• Destination name and address
• Quantity of goods
• Description of freight
• Weight, volume, or measurement of freight (applicable to freight-rated 3PL shipments)

Beyond the legally required information, BOLs often include much additional information. For example:

• Freight payment terms (prepaid, collect on delivery, etc.)
• Special instructions (like dock assignment)
• Hours of operation for origin and destination
• Appointment times (if applicable)
• Carrier information (trailer number, seal number, SCAC code, MC number,  etc.)

How to Process a Bill of Lading Quickly and Accurately

Most commonly, the bill of lading will be a physical paper document the carrier receives either prior to or at the time of loading. Today, the exchange of paper can sometimes be cumbersome. The carrier can’t be paid until they submit the lading bill. In turn, the shipper can’t confirm delivery without this receipt from the carrier. Using paper alone, often all parties must wait for a driver to return from their trip. At times, this could be a week or more.

Fortunately, there are modern alternatives. While people used to send faxes, cell phones have simplified things. Many brokers may offer an app that lets the carrier access the bill of lading electronically. This includes all the information as well as an option for a digital signature for origin and destination.

However, not all brokers have apps. Some consignees also may still require the driver to sign a paper copy BOL at the time of delivery. Companies now offer digital imaging solutions in these circumstances. Drivers can simply complete the paper copy, snap a photo on their cell phone, and upload it through an application. The shipper receives its signed delivery receipt, and the consignee still signs paper at the point of delivery. The carrier submits their paperwork and gets paid more quickly. In short, everybody wins!

If you’re in the market for a digital imaging solution, look for one that can scan and upload all kinds of documents, even ones that have been damaged. The Electronic Bill of Lading is a digitized document solution that enables processes for connected facilities.

Why Understanding the Bill of Lading Meaning Matters in Logistics

The bill of lading is crucial in modern logistics for accurately documenting, tracking, and receiving shipments. While its purpose as a legal document, proof of shipment, and communication tool remains the same, its management has evolved. Understanding its role helps shippers, carriers, and consignees avoid delays, disputes, and costly errors.

Technology has further streamlined this process. Electronic bills of lading (eBOLs), OCR, and document imaging apps enable digital creation, signing, and sharing, speeding up processing and payment while reducing errors. These tools improve visibility and efficiency across the supply chain.

Combining knowledge of the bill of lading’s function with digital tools, all parties enhance communication, accountability, and logistics flow—key to staying efficient and competitive.

After exploring what a bill of lading is, its purpose, and how to process it efficiently, it’s clear how vital this document is within the logistics chain. The bill of lading serves distinct roles for shippers, carriers, and consignees, providing protection, clarity, and proof of transactions at every stage of the shipping process. Understanding its significance ensures smoother operations and accountability for all parties involved.

You should now have a better understanding of this document. This knowledge is essential to any transportation transaction. Now, you’re armed to begin the first step in shipping, hauling, or receiving goods.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What is the purpose of the bill of lading?

The bill of lading serves as a legal document that acts as a receipt for shipped goods, a contract between shipper and carrier, and proof of ownership.

• What does a bill of lading tell you?

It outlines key shipment details, including what’s being shipped, where it’s going, who’s involved, and the terms of transport.

• Who pays the bill of lading?

Typically, the shipper pays the bill of lading, though this can vary depending on the terms agreed upon between the shipper and consignee.

• Who receives the bill of lading?

The consignee, or the person receiving the goods, usually gets the bill of lading to claim the shipment at its destination.

This post was written by Matthew Zandstra. Matt has been working in transportation and logistics dispatch for the past six years, both as a broker and direct to drivers. He’s familiar with various facets of relationships, technical systems, pricing mechanics, and commodities.