- A bill of lading (BL or BOL) is a legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper that details the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being carried.
- A bill of lading also serves as a shipment receipt when the carrier delivers the goods at a predetermined destination.
- Among other items of information, a bill of lading contains the consignor's and consignee's name, the names of the ports of departure and destination, the name of the vessel, the dates of departure and arrival, an itemized list of goods being transported with number of packages and kind of packaging, marks and numbers on the packages, weight and/or volume of the cargo, freight rate and amount.
- It serves as a proof of ownership (title) of the cargo and may be issued either in a negotiable or non-negotiable form.
- A bill of lading is required in all claims for compensation for any damage, delay, or loss; and for the resolution of disputes regarding ownership of the cargo.
- The rights, responsibilities, and liabilities of the carrier and the shipper under a bill of lading (often printed on its back) are governed generally either by the older Hague rules, or by the more recent Hague-Visby rules.
- The Bill of Lading Number is a unique number shown on a bill of lading at the time the merchandise is accepted for shipment.