What is a Bill of Lading (BOL) and when is this required?

What is a Bill of Lading (BOL) and when is this required?

Overview

A Bill of Lading (BOL) is a formal shipping document used for freight movements. It serves as:

  1. A receipt confirming the carrier has received the goods
  2. A contract of carriage between the shipper and the carrier
  3. A record of shipment details for tracking, compliance, and dispute resolution

What information does a BOL include?

A standard Bill of Lading will typically contain:
  1. Shipper and consignee details
  2. Collection and delivery locations
  3. Description of goods
  4. Number of cartons or pallets
  5. Weight and freight class (where applicable)
  6. Carrier details and reference numbers

When is a Bill of Lading required?

A BOL is required for freight shipments, including but not limited to:
  1. Less Than Truckload (LTL)
  2. Full Truckload (FTL)
  3. Palletised domestic freight
  4. International air or ocean freight
It is not usually required for small-parcel courier shipments (e.g. DHL, UPS, DPD), which use shipping labels instead.
Please Note: The BOL must be available before the carrier collects the goods.

Who is responsible for providing the Bill of Lading?

Responsibility depends on who is arranging the freight:

If you arrange the freight:
  1. You (or your nominated freight forwarder) are responsible for providing the Bill of Lading
  2. The BOL must be supplied to us prior to collection - this can be uploaded as an Order document into the portal, or sent via 3PL@expandly.com and your dedicated CSR can help send these to the Warehouse ahead of collection
  3. We will use the BOL to release the goods to the carrier
If we arrange the freight on your behalf:
  1. We (or the contracted carrier) will generate the Bill of Lading
  2. The BOL will be created once shipment details are confirmed
  3. A copy can be provided to you upon request

Why is the Bill of Lading important?

The Bill of Lading:
  1. Authorises the legal release of goods
  2. Confirms what was shipped and in what quantity
  3. Supports tracking, insurance, and compliance
  4. Provides an audit trail in the event of a query or dispute
Without a valid Bill of Lading, freight may not be released for collection.

To Summarise

For any freight shipment, a Bill of Lading must be prepared before collection. Whether it is provided by you or by us depends on who is arranging the freight, but it must always be available to ensure a smooth and compliant dispatch.

Need more help?

If you have any questions or queries, please get in touch and the Team will be happy to help.

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