Bill of lading template

Fill in a straight bill of lading and print it or save it as a PDF, or print a blank form. Free, no sign-up.

Shipment

Ship from

Ship to

Third party bill to (optional)

Freight

Nothing you type is sent or stored. The form is filled in your browser only. This is a generic straight bill of lading; your carrier may require its own form or terms.

Preview · updates as you type
STRAIGHT BILL OF LADING
Original · Not negotiable
Ship from (shipper)
Northfield Machine Co.
1200 Industrial Pkwy
Columbus, OH 43215
Dock office, (555) 010-0142
Bill of lading number
BOL-10482
Date
2026-10-12
Carrier name
Example LTL Carrier
SCAC
EXLA
Ship to (consignee)
Harbor Supply Inc.
88 Wharf Road
Savannah, GA 31401
Receiving, (555) 010-0177
PO / reference numbers
PO 77120
Trailer number
53-2291
Seal number(s)
0048812
Freight charge terms
X Prepaid   Collect   Third party
Third party freight charges bill to
 
 
Special instructions
Delivery appointment required. Call receiving 24 hours ahead.
UnitsTypeHMDescription of articles, special marks and exceptionsWeight (lb)NMFCClass
1PalletMachine parts, steel, boxed, on pallet. 48 x 40 x 48 in500100
 
 
 
 
 
1Totals500
Where the rate depends on value, the shipper states the agreed or declared value of the property: ____________________ per ____________. HM: mark with an X to designate hazardous materials as defined in the DOT regulations.
Shipper signature / date
The shipper certifies that the contents are fully and accurately described above and are properly classified, packaged, marked and labelled.
Carrier signature / pickup date
The carrier acknowledges receipt of the packages listed, in apparent good order except as noted.
Consignee signature / delivery date
Received in good order except as noted above.
Generic straight bill of lading form. Carriers may require their own form or terms. Template from polt.ai/tools

How to fill out a bill of lading

A bill of lading is the carrier’s receipt for the freight and the record of the terms it moves under. This blank bill of lading form covers the fields a domestic truckload or LTL shipment needs.

Name the parties.

Enter the shipper, the consignee and the carrier. If someone else pays the freight charges, such as a broker, put them in the third party bill-to box.

Describe the freight.

One line for each kind of handling unit: count, type, a plain description and the weight. For LTL, add the NMFC item and freight class.

Sign at pickup and delivery.

The shipper and the driver sign at pickup. The consignee signs at delivery and notes any damage or shortage before signing.

New to BOLs? Read what a bill of lading is and what goes on it →

Bill of Lading Template FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Fill it in, print it or save it as a PDF. There is no sign-up, and nothing you type is sent or stored.

Enter the shipper and consignee, the carrier, the reference numbers, then one line for each type of handling unit with its description, weight and, for LTL, the NMFC item and freight class. Choose the freight charge terms, print it, and have the shipper and the driver sign at pickup.

Yes. Use the Print a blank form button to print an empty straight bill of lading and fill it in by hand.

A bill of lading does not have to be on a particular form, but it has to be accurate and signed. Some carriers require their own form or terms, so check with the carrier before you use a generic one.

A straight bill of lading is non-negotiable. The freight is delivered to the consignee named on it. Most domestic truckload and LTL shipments in the US use one.

No. The bill of lading is between the shipper and the carrier and describes the freight. The rate confirmation is between the broker and the carrier and sets the price.

A waybill is a non-negotiable receipt and routing record. A bill of lading can also act as a document of title, so the holder of a negotiable original controls the goods.

The shipper signs to release the freight and the driver signs for what was loaded. At delivery the consignee signs, and that signed copy serves as the proof of delivery.

These tools are free and need no sign-up.

They are made by Polt, the AI-native TMS for freight brokers and 3PLs.

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