¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓÆµ

Shipping Bill Of Lading for the United States

Shipping Bill Of Lading Template for United States

A Bill of Lading is a legally binding document issued by a carrier to a shipper, functioning as a receipt of goods, a contract of carriage, and a document of title. In the United States, it is governed primarily by the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA) and the Federal Bills of Lading Act, providing standardized rules for maritime commerce and protecting both carriers and shippers in international trade.

Your data doesn't train Genie's AI

You keep IP ownership of your information

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Download a Standard Template

4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5
Access for free
OR

Alternatively: Run an advanced review of an existing
Shipping Bill Of Lading

Let ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓÆµ's market-leading legal AI identify missing terms, unusual language, compliance issues and more - in just seconds.

What is a Shipping Bill Of Lading?

A Shipping Bill of Lading is a critical document in maritime commerce, serving three essential functions: receipt for cargo, evidence of the contract of carriage, and document of title to the goods. It enables the transfer of ownership and facilitates international trade financing. Under US jurisdiction, particularly COGSA and the Federal Bills of Lading Act, it provides standardized terms for liability, claims procedures, and documentation requirements. The document is required for all ocean shipments and must comply with both federal regulations and international maritime conventions.

What sections should be included in a Shipping Bill Of Lading?

1. Carrier Information: Details of the shipping company/carrier including name, address, and vessel details

2. Shipper Information: Details of the party shipping the goods

3. Consignee Information: Details of the party receiving the goods

4. Cargo Details: Description of goods, quantity, weight, and packaging

5. Voyage Details: Port of loading, port of discharge, vessel name, voyage number

6. Terms and Conditions: Standard terms governing the shipment including liability limitations, claims procedures, and jurisdiction

What sections are optional to include in a Shipping Bill Of Lading?

1. Notify Party: Additional party to be notified upon arrival - used when there's a third party involved in receiving notification of arrival

2. Special Instructions: Specific handling or delivery instructions - used when cargo requires special handling or delivery arrangements

3. Dangerous Goods Declaration: Details of hazardous materials - mandatory when shipping hazardous materials

What schedules should be included in a Shipping Bill Of Lading?

1. Rate Schedule: Detailed breakdown of freight charges and additional fees

2. Container List: List of container numbers and seals when multiple containers are shipped

3. Packing List: Detailed inventory of shipped items including description, quantity, and packaging details

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓÆµ | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

United States

Document Type

Bill of Lading

Cost

Free to use
Relevant legal definitions





































Clauses






























Industries

COGSA 1936: Carriage of Goods by Sea Act - Primary US federal law governing rights and responsibilities between shippers and ocean carriers in international trade

Harter Act 1893: US federal law governing maritime cargo transport, applying to domestic shipments and the period before loading and after discharge for international shipments

Pomerene Act 1916: Federal Bills of Lading Act - Governs bills of lading in interstate and foreign commerce, establishing rules for negotiable instruments

Hague Rules: International convention establishing uniform rules for bills of lading in international trade, forming the basis for COGSA

Hague-Visby Rules: Updated version of Hague Rules with modified liability limits and scope, though not directly adopted by US

Hamburg Rules: Alternative international convention for cargo liability (US is not a signatory but relevant for international trade context)

UCC Article 7: Uniform Commercial Code section governing documents of title, including bills of lading in domestic commerce

UCC Article 2: Uniform Commercial Code section governing sales, relevant for the commercial aspects of shipping transactions

State Maritime Laws: Various state-specific regulations particularly important for inland waterway shipping and local maritime commerce

FMC Regulations: Federal Maritime Commission rules governing tariff filing and service contract requirements for ocean carriers

Customs Regulations 19 CFR: US Customs regulations governing documentation requirements for international shipments and duties

DOT Regulations: Department of Transportation rules governing safety requirements and hazardous materials handling in shipping

Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

Find the exact document you need

Bill Of Lading Form

A U.S.-compliant legal document serving as receipt of goods, contract of carriage, and document of title in shipping transactions.

find out more

Shipment Contract

A U.S.-governed agreement establishing terms and conditions for goods transportation, compliance with federal shipping regulations, and parties' rights and obligations.

find out more

Way Bill Of Lading

A non-negotiable transport document used in the US and internationally as evidence of carriage contract and receipt of goods.

find out more

Universal Bill Of Lading

A standardized shipping document serving as receipt, contract, and title under U.S. maritime law.

find out more

Uniform Straight Bill Of Lading Original Not Negotiable

A standardized U.S. shipping document serving as both receipt and contract for goods transportation, non-transferable to other parties.

find out more

Uniform Straight Bill Of Lading

A standardized, non-negotiable U.S. shipping document that serves as both a receipt and contract for the transportation of goods.

find out more

Uniform Household Goods Bill Of Lading

A standardized U.S. contract document serving as both receipt and agreement for household goods transportation services, governed by federal transportation regulations.

find out more

Uniform Domestic Straight Bill Of Lading

A U.S. legal document serving as both receipt and contract for domestic cargo transportation, governed by federal transportation laws.

find out more

Uniform Bill Of Lading

A standardized U.S. shipping document that serves as both a receipt and contract for goods transportation, governed by federal law and the UCC.

find out more

True Bill Of Lading

A U.S.-governed negotiable document that serves as receipt, contract of carriage, and document of title for shipped goods.

find out more

Trucking BOL

A U.S.-compliant legal document serving as a receipt, contract, and title document for goods transported by truck.

find out more

Transshipment Bill Of Lading

A U.S.-governed maritime document that serves as both receipt and contract for goods requiring transfer between vessels during transport, subject to COGSA regulations.

find out more

Transport Bill Of Lading Form

A US-governed legal document serving as a receipt, contract of carriage, and document of title for transported goods.

find out more

Transport Bill Of Lading

A US-governed transport document serving as receipt, contract of carriage, and document of title for shipped goods.

find out more

Transit Bill Of Lading

A US-governed legal document serving as receipt, contract, and title for goods in transit, regulated by federal shipping laws.

find out more

Transfer Bill Of Lading

A U.S.-governed negotiable shipping document that serves as both proof of receipt and a transferable document of title for goods in transit.

find out more

Train Bill Of Lading

A U.S. legal document serving as both receipt and contract for rail freight transportation, governed by federal and state regulations.

find out more

Tanker Bill Of Lading

A U.S.-governed maritime document serving as receipt, contract, and title for liquid bulk cargo transportation.

find out more

Sub Bill Of Lading

A U.S.-governed transport document issued when a carrier subcontracts part of the cargo movement to another carrier, serving as both receipt and contract.

find out more

Straight Bol Short Form

A non-negotiable U.S. shipping document serving as cargo receipt and transport contract under federal maritime law.

find out more

Straight Bol Form

A non-negotiable U.S. transport document serving as both receipt and contract for goods shipment, governed by federal and state laws.

find out more

Straight Bol

A non-negotiable U.S. shipping document that serves as proof of receipt, contract of carriage, and title document.

find out more

Straight Bill Of Lading Short Form Original Not Negotiable

A non-negotiable U.S. shipping document that serves as both receipt and contract of carriage, governed by federal law and the UCC.

find out more

Straight Bill Of Lading Short Form A B3876

A non-negotiable U.S. transportation document serving as both receipt and contract for shipment of goods.

find out more

Straight Bill Of Lading Short Form

A non-negotiable U.S. transportation document serving as both receipt and contract for carriage, designating specific consignee delivery.

find out more

Straight Bill Of Lading Form

A non-negotiable shipping document used in the United States that serves as both receipt and contract of carriage, subject to federal transportation laws.

find out more

Straight Bill Of Lading

A non-negotiable U.S. transportation document serving as both receipt and contract for shipment of goods to a specified consignee.

find out more

Standard Truckload Bill Of Lading

A U.S.-governed legal document serving as a receipt and contract for truckload freight transportation services.

find out more

Standard Bol Form

A U.S.-compliant legal document serving as receipt, contract, and title for shipped goods, governed by federal transportation laws.

find out more

Standard Bill Of Lading Form

A US-governed transport document serving as receipt, contract of carriage, and document of title for shipped goods.

find out more

Standard Bill Of Lading

A legal document issued by carriers in the US, serving as receipt, contract, and title document for shipped goods, governed by COGSA and federal shipping laws.

find out more

Staging Bill Of Lading

A legally binding document used in the U.S. for staged shipping arrangements, serving as both receipt and contract for goods in transit.

find out more

Split Bill Of Lading

A U.S.-governed shipping document that enables the division of a single shipment into multiple consignments with separate bills of lading.

find out more

Soiled Bill Of Lading

A U.S. maritime shipping document acknowledging receipt of damaged or defective cargo, governed by federal maritime law.

find out more

Simple Bill Of Lading Form

A legally binding U.S. transportation document that serves as a receipt, contract of carriage, and document of title for shipped goods.

find out more

Simple Bill Of Lading

A US-governed transport document serving as receipt, contract, and title for shipped goods.

find out more

Short Form Bol

A simplified shipping document regulated under U.S. federal law that serves as both receipt and contract of carriage.

find out more

Short Bill Of Lading Form

A U.S.-governed transport document serving as receipt, contract of carriage, and document of title for shipped goods.

find out more

Short Bill Of Lading

A US-compliant legal document serving as receipt, contract of carriage, and document of title for shipped goods.

find out more

Shipping Line Bill Of Lading

A legally binding transport document governed by U.S. maritime law that serves as receipt, contract of carriage, and document of title for shipped goods.

find out more
See more related templates

³Ò±ð²Ô¾±±ð’s Security Promise

Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.

Your documents are private:

We do not train on your data; ³Ò±ð²Ô¾±±ð’s AI improves independently

All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation

Your documents are protected:

Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption

We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure

Organizational security:

You retain IP ownership of your documents and their information

You have full control over your data and who gets to see it