| Bill of Lading (BOL) You may have never heard of a | | | | density. Freight classes range from 50-500 and usually |
| Bill of lading before, but it's a very important part of | | | | the higher the class the higher the rate for every |
| freight shipping. A bill of lading (BOL) is a mandatory | | | | hundred pounds being shipped. |
| document between any shipper and carrier. This | | | | The type of packaging is also specified on a BOL. |
| document is a legally binding document which gives | | | | This could include cartons, drums, skids, or pallets |
| details of where the package is going, where its | | | | depending on what is being shipped. With this, you |
| coming from, shipping times, etc. This document can | | | | also see the number of shipping units. A unit is the |
| act as a receipt and a contract for any freight | | | | individual number of items being shipped. This is |
| shipping services. | | | | important so when the shipment arrives at its |
| The BOL features a lot of information so there is no | | | | destination, they can check to see if every item is |
| confusion between shipper and carrier. It | | | | accounted for. Another important piece of |
| encompasses the declared value of the goods so | | | | information that goes on the bill of lading is the |
| each party knows the priced value of the items | | | | shipping date. This is the date the shipment left its |
| being shipped. The bill of lading also details the exact | | | | original location and the date the shipment arrived at |
| weight of the items being shipped. If there are | | | | its location. This way, the shipper and the carrier can |
| multiple items being shipped, then the BOL will detail | | | | keep track of shipping times and mileage rates. |
| the weight of each item separately. This way if any | | | | I hope this article has helped you better understand |
| weight details change, the shipper and carrier can | | | | the BOL and gave you some information you may |
| return to the BOL for a closer look at what the | | | | have not known before when figuring out how to |
| weight was. Another important part of the bill of | | | | ship. If you remember all the pieces that goes on a |
| lading is the NMFC number. This is the freight class | | | | bill of lading form, you will have a great shipping |
| that the item possesses. This is found by multiple | | | | experience. |
| factors like weight, density, value of the goods, and | | | | |