Without any type of insurance or safety, shipping your goods, whether finished products or raw materials could be very risky. You should come to an agreement about who will take responsibility for any delayed, damaged or lost goods when shipping physical inventories. For this, you need a blank BoL template to fill up as per necessary details.
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Bill Of Lading Templates
What is a blank BoL?
A blank bill of lading or “BoL” is an official document issued by a carrier to you (as the shipper) as a contract of carriage of goods. This document also serves as a receipt of shipment for the delivered goods to a specified destination.
The document, which is usually accompanied by the shipped goods, contains the signatures of the receiver, carrier or representative carrier. You should always fill out a blank BoL regardless of what form of transportation you use.
This is a security for you as the shipper and the carrier. Usually, the document includes all of the required information that highlights the destination, quantity, and types of goods.
Bill Of Lading Forms
Types of BoL templates
A bill of lading form comes in different types depending on your purpose. Before you create a BoL template, you should know what type you need:
- Shipped
This is perhaps the most utilized type of blank BoL. There are instances when you as the shipper demands that the shipowner gives you this document as it serves as evidence that you have already shipped the goods. This is the reason why you print the document beforehand.
The document states that you shipped the goods in good condition. It also confirms and determines that the goods are on board. As such, it is the most common receipt that you will use.
Moreover, this type of bill offers security since there can be no doubt you sent the goods for shipping. Also, there will be no issue that will come up between the consignee or bankers as it does with early financial settlements. - Through
This is also a common type of bill of lading although it’s more complex in nature. The document gives the shipping carrier permission to transport the goods using various forms of transportation methods and distribution centers.
Furthermore, this type allows the transportation of goods at domestic and international domestic borders. The document emphasizes the type and quantity of the transported goods and it also notifies you of its destination. - Ocean
This is the document needed when the transporter moves the goods across the sea, whether national or international. It serves a dual function – as a collection document and as your carrier receipt. This document can either be non-negotiable or negotiable. The latter permits buyers to receive the goods only if they show their identification. - Inland
Like the ocean BoL, you also need this one for transporting cargo. This one, however, is for the transportation of goods over land. It can serve both as a carrier receipt and a carriage contract. This document usually specifies the types, destination, and quantity of goods. - Received
This is the bill the receiver signs upon getting the materials or goods they have asked for. The bill is merely a confirmation that the materials or goods have been formally handed to the shipowner and that they have these in custody. - Claused
This type determines there has been a shortfall or damage in the goods delivered and it is usually the receiver who files it. The issuance of this type of bill typically occurs if the shipped goods aren’t up to par because of some reason like quality or quantity. Then the receiver creates a claused bill of lading and a dirty bill of lading. - Uniform
This is also one of the more common BoL documents. It is an agreement between the exporter and the carrier regarding the goods transported. This bill of lading gives the assurance of providing basic information about the shipment, like the names of the shipper (you) and the recipient. It emphasizes the shipment’s origin and its destination.
Moreover, this BoL also determines the time frame of the transport, the liability of the carrier, how you can apply for insurance in case of a claim, how the receiver can file a claim for a foul shipment, how the shipment can get disposed of if the shipment is either refused or it isn’t delivered. - Clean
This is another type of document issued by the carrier which determines that they have received the goods in appropriate and good condition. By definition, this is the opposite of the foul or claused bill of lading.
It provides relief to you as the shipper about the payment or it informs you of damaged or foul products or delivery where they can hold payment.
What is the purpose of a bill of lading?
The purpose of a BoL template is very simple although its full usefulness isn’t immediately evident. But in the final analysis, a fully accomplished blank BoL protects the seller, the shipper, and the recipient against lawsuits as it provides a record where and when a shipment is in the delivery process.
As such, it can serve both as a carriage contract and a receipt. Should a problem arise, you can always resort to this document to help you determine where or when the issue might have happened and consequently, hold the correct party responsible.
Remember that this is a legal document, so always make sure that all the information listed in it is both up-to-date and accurate. As usual, you will render this document useless if it doesn’t contain signs and dates from all of the parties involved.
Blank Bill Of Lading Samples
Who provides the bill of lading?
Generally, the blank BoL comes from the carrier of the goods, only after they have received the cargo after the completion of the formalities in the customs department. Because of this, the document becomes very important when making shipments to move the freight or cargo from one location to another.
As aforementioned, the BoL serves two purposes. As a written agreement between you and a carrier for transporting goods and as a receipt that the carrier issues to you.
