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Free bill of lading template with a filled example

In short

A bill of lading is the shipper's receipt and the contract of carriage: who shipped what, to whom, on which carrier, in what condition. This template follows the standard straight bill of lading used across US truckload and LTL freight, with the customer-order and carrier-information tables that receivers and carriers expect, and the consignee block that turns the same page into the proof of delivery at the other end.

Blank template (PDF)Blank template (Word)

Free to use and modify · no email required · CC BY 4.0

Filled example

STRAIGHT BILL OF LADING

Not negotiable  |  BOL No. NF-2026-09114 · Date Sep 14, 2026 · Page 1 of 1

Ship from (shipper)Ship to (consignee)
Halenholm Foods120 Industrial Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07201SID no. · FOBSID 55712 · FOB ☒Raloworth Grocers DC9800 Commerce Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75247CID no. · Location no.CID 20419 · Loc 07
Third-party freight charges bill toCarrier
Marrowdale Logistics, 400 Main St Ste 210, Plano, TX 75074Freight charge termsPrepaid ☐ · Collect ☐ · 3rd party ☒Trinity Bend Freight LLCSCAC · PRO no. · trailer no. · seal no.SCAC TBFL · Pro — · Trailer 53187 · Seal 004518

Customer order information

Customer order no.No. of packagesWeight (lb)Pallet / slipAdditional shipper information
448191,15238,400YDo not stack · keep dry
 
Totals1,15238,400

Carrier information

Handling units (qty · type)Packages (qty · type)Weight (lb)HMCommodity descriptionNMFC no.Class
24 pallets1,152 cases38,400Packaged dry food products, not otherwise indexed7322770
 
Totals1,15238,400

Commodities requiring special or additional care or attention in handling or stowing must be so marked and packaged as to ensure safe transportation with ordinary care. Where the rate is dependent on value, shippers are required to state specifically in writing the agreed or declared value of the property: the agreed or declared value of the property is hereby specifically stated by the shipper to be not exceeding $ per lb.

Special instructions

Appointment DAL-20419 at 13:00 Sep 15. Lumper paid by broker via payment code. Seal must be intact at delivery; receiver to verify seal 004518 before opening. Call (972) 555-0100 for any exception.
COD amount · fee terms—Customer check acceptableYes ☐ No ☒

Shipper signature / date. This is to certify that the above named materials are properly classified, packaged, marked and labeled, and are in proper condition for transportation according to the applicable regulations of the DOT.

Shipper signature · date
Trailer loaded byShipper ☒ Driver ☐Freight counted byShipper ☒ Driver/pallets said to contain ☐ Driver/pieces ☐

Carrier signature / pickup date. Carrier acknowledges receipt of packages and required placards. Carrier certifies emergency response information was made available and/or carrier has the DOT emergency response guidebook or equivalent documentation in the vehicle. Property described above is received in good order, except as noted.

Carrier / driver signature · pickup date · time in / out

Consignee. Received the above property in good order except as noted:

Consignee signature · printed name · date · time in / out

Template by LogiPilot · logipilot.ai/templates/bill-of-lading · Based on the standard straight bill of lading; confirm your shipper's and carrier's requirements.

The example is a single truckload of packaged food from Elizabeth, NJ to a Dallas distribution center, billed third party to the broker, with a seal number recorded and NMFC class filled in. Most truckload shippers print BOLs from their own systems; the template is for the ones that do not, and for brokers who need to supply one.

Two habits worth keeping: record the seal number at pickup, and get the facility to write the time in and out in the signature blocks at both ends. The first prevents rejected loads; the second is the evidence a detention claim needs.

Field by field

Terms on this document

FAQ

Questions about the bill of lading template.

Who fills out the bill of lading?

The shipper prepares it, usually from its own system, when the truck is at the dock. The driver checks the piece count and condition, signs it, and takes a copy. The receiver signs the delivery copy, which becomes the proof of delivery.

Is a bill of lading the same as a proof of delivery?

It becomes one. The BOL signed by the receiver at delivery, with any exceptions written on it, is the proof of delivery for most truckload freight. Some receivers use their own delivery receipt instead; both work if they carry the signature, the date and time, the shipment references and the exceptions.

What is the NMFC number and class for?

They classify the freight for LTL pricing and liability. Truckload shipments often leave them blank or fill them for reference; LTL shipments must have them, and carriers reweigh and reclassify shipments whose class does not match the freight.