Free template
Free bill of lading template
Fill in this bill of lading on the page, add your company name and logo, then print it or save it as a PDF. Nothing is sent to us: your entries stay in your browser.
Bill of lading
Shipment details
Shipper (from)
Consignee (to)
Carrier
Freight
| Pieces | Package type | Description | Weight | Class | HM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charges and instructions
Signatures
Shipper
Signature
Carrier / driver
Signature
Consignee
Signature
What a bill of lading does
A bill of lading is the document that records what was handed to the carrier, who sent it, who receives it and on what terms. It serves as the receipt for the goods and the shipping instructions in one sheet. When a count is short or freight arrives damaged, the signed bill is the first thing everyone checks, so clear piece counts, weights and signatures matter more than design.
Link the paperwork to where the truck actually is
A paper bill says what was loaded. GPS fleet tracking from High Point GPS shows when the truck left, where it stopped and when it arrived, so you can answer a customer's question without calling the driver. With FleetZap, our dispatch and maintenance software, drivers can capture proof of delivery in the driver app and customers can follow a live tracking link.
Get a quoteTips for a clean bill of lading
Count pieces at the dock with the driver present, and write the count in numbers on the bill before anyone signs.
Describe the freight plainly (what it is and how it is packed) so the consignee can check it against the bill at delivery.
Write the seal number on the bill and ask the consignee to confirm it is intact before the trailer is opened.
Keep one signed copy for the shipper, one for the carrier and one that travels with the freight to the consignee.
Questions about bills of lading
- Is this bill of lading template free?
- Yes. You fill it in on this page, add your company name and logo, and print it or save it as a PDF from your browser. There is no sign-up, and nothing you type is sent to High Point GPS. Your entries stay in your own browser, so clear them when you use a shared computer.
- Who fills in the bill of lading?
- Usually the shipper prepares it, because the shipper knows what is being sent, to whom and how it is packed. The carrier's driver checks the count and signs when the freight is loaded. At delivery, the consignee signs to confirm receipt and notes any shortage or damage before the driver leaves.
- What is the difference between a bill of lading and a proof of delivery?
- The bill of lading is created at pickup and describes the shipment and the terms of carriage. A proof of delivery is signed at the destination and confirms what the receiver actually got, with the date, time and any exceptions. Many carriers use the consignee's signature on the bill as their proof of delivery.
- Do I need the freight class on the bill?
- For less than truckload shipments, carriers usually price by freight class, so they will ask for it on the bill. For full truckload or local deliveries it is often left blank. If you are not sure of the class, our free freight class calculator gives an estimate from the dimensions and weight, which your carrier can confirm.
- Can I use this form for hazardous materials?
- The form has a hazmat column you can mark, but shipping dangerous goods comes with its own paperwork requirements in Canada and the United States. Check the shipping document rules that apply to your shipment with your carrier or a qualified dangerous goods advisor before you use a general template for it.