Free Bill of Lading Form

Fill in the shipper, consignee and freight lines below, then click "Download bill of lading PDF" to get a printable straight bill of lading. It is free, needs no sign-up, and your shipment details stay in your own browser.

Free, no sign-up. Your details stay in this browser and are never uploaded.

How to fill out the bill of lading form

This generator builds a one-page or multi-page bill of lading PDF from an on-page form. There is no file to upload and no template to edit in another program. It works in modern browsers on a computer or phone.

Only three things are required to create the PDF: the shipper name, the consignee name and at least one commodity description. Everything else is optional, so you can fill in as much as your carrier asks for.

1. Enter the date, bill of lading number, carrier name and SCAC, then the trailer, seal and PRO numbers if you have them.
2. Fill in Ship from (shipper) and Ship to (consignee), and add a third party bill-to only if someone else pays the freight.
3. Describe the freight in the carrier information table. Click "+ Add line" for each additional line, or × to remove one.
4. Choose the freight charge terms and weight unit, and add any special instructions.
5. Click "Download bill of lading PDF." The file downloads automatically, and a download button also appears.

What a bill of lading is and who fills it out

A bill of lading (BOL) is the main shipping document for freight. It works as a receipt showing the carrier picked up the goods, and as the contract of carriage between the shipper and the carrier. Some bills of lading also act as a document of title to the goods.

This form is a straight bill of lading, which is not negotiable. The goods are consigned to a named consignee, and the carrier delivers to that party. It cannot be signed over to someone else the way a negotiable "order" bill of lading can.

The shipper usually prepares the BOL before pickup. The driver signs it when the freight is loaded, and the consignee signs it at delivery.

A few terms come up on every BOL. The SCAC is the carrier's Standard Carrier Alpha Code, a short letter code that identifies the trucking company. The PRO number is the tracking number the carrier assigns to the shipment. The NMFC number identifies the commodity in the National Motor Freight Classification, and the freight class rates how costly the item is to ship based on things like density and handling.

Bill of lading fields explained

Freight charge terms tell the carrier who pays. Prepaid means the shipper pays, Collect means the consignee pays, and Third party means the bill-to party you entered pays.

Each freight line has handling units (for example, 2) with their type (for example, pallet), the package quantity and unit inside them, the weight, the commodity description, NMFC number and class. Check the HM box when a line contains hazardous material. Handling units and weight are totaled automatically.

COD amount is used when the carrier should collect payment on delivery. Declared value states the value of the goods, which can affect the carrier's liability. The customer order or PO number helps the receiver match the delivery to their order.

The PDF includes the standard carrier terms paragraph that begins "Received, subject to individually determined rates or contracts," a hazmat note when any line is marked HM, and blank signature lines for the shipper, the carrier (with pickup date) and the consignee (with delivery date).

Privacy and limits

The PDF is created in your browser on your device. Nothing is uploaded or stored by PaperPorter. Your shipment details are saved only in this browser's local storage, which is why the commercial invoice and packing list generators open with the same shipper, consignee and items already filled in. Click "Clear form" to reset everything.

Long freight lists continue onto extra pages with the table header repeated, and every page is numbered. The PDF uses standard fonts, so non-Latin characters print as "?". Nothing is signed for you.

This is a general straight BOL. Some carriers require their own bill of lading, and hazardous materials often need specific shipping papers, so check with your carrier before you ship.

Tips for a clean bill of lading

Get the freight class right. A wrong class or NMFC number can lead to a reclassification and an extra charge on your invoice. Ask your carrier if you are unsure.

Count handling units carefully. The driver checks the number of pallets or crates against the BOL at pickup, and the consignee does the same at delivery. A mismatch slows everything down.

Print enough copies. The shipper, the driver and the consignee each typically keep a signed copy.

Looking for a bill of lading template in Excel? This tool makes a PDF rather than a spreadsheet. The totals are calculated for you, and the PDF prints the same on any device.

Create the rest of your shipping documents

For international shipments, use the same details to make a commercial invoice and a packing list. Both open pre-filled with this shipment. If you also need to complete an official government or permit PDF, PaperPorter can help you fill official forms. Browse all free PDF tools.

Guides: What is a bill of lading? · Shipping terms glossary: ARO, LTL, RMA, SLI and more

More free PDF tools

See all free PDF tools

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get a free bill of lading form?

You can fill one out on this page and download it as a PDF for free. No account or sign-up is needed.

Who fills out the bill of lading?

The shipper usually prepares it before pickup. The carrier's driver signs it at pickup and the consignee signs it at delivery.

What is a straight bill of lading?

A straight bill of lading is non-negotiable and consigns the goods to a named consignee. The carrier delivers only to that party.

What is a PRO number on a bill of lading?

The PRO number is the tracking number the carrier assigns to a shipment. You can leave it blank if the carrier will add it at pickup.

Is there a bill of lading template in Excel?

This generator creates a printable PDF instead of an Excel file. It totals handling units and weight automatically, so you do not need a spreadsheet.

Can I use this bill of lading for hazardous materials?

You can mark lines as HM, and the PDF adds a hazmat note. Hazardous shipments often need specific paperwork, so check your carrier's requirements.