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What’s Bill of Lading and How to Make a BoL statement in Excel?

Business
Updated on October 9, 2024

In this article we’ll examine the Bill of Lading (BoL), one of the most important documents in shipping, logistics and international trade. What’s it and how to make a bill of lading? So, you can open your Excel files to create your own bill of lading format.

Download Bill of Lading Excel Template for a quicker solution!

Table Of Content

1. What’s Bill of Lading?
2. How to make a Bill of Lading?
3. Why to use Excel to prepare BoL?
4. How to fill out bill of lading?
5. What are the types of Bill of Ladings?
6. FAQs
7. Conclusion

Basically, BoL guarantees the safe transfer of goods. It’s a receipt for the shipment and a proof of ownership. Also, it is a contract between the shipper and the carrier. So, let’s learn more about this document.

Economic Order Quantity

1. What’s Bill of Lading?

A Bill of Lading (BoL) is a legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper. Thus, this statement details the type, quantity, description, and destination of the goods being transported.

Also, among primary functions, there are:

Acceptance of Goods
A contract of carriage specifies the parameters within which the shipment of goods will take place
Proof of Ownership

In summary, bills of lading (BoLs) play a crucial role in documenting the shipping process in international trade. And, this ensures that goods are delivered to their correct destinations. So, theBoL serves as a receipt for the products that have been shipped, verifying that the carrier has received the shipment undamaged.

2. How to make a Bill of Lading?

Now, let’s see how to create a BoL document in Excel.

Step 1: Define header information

Firstly, we should include the shipper’s and receiver’s (consignee’s) details, such as names, addresses, and contact information.

Step 2: Define carrier Information

Secondly, we should write the carrier’s name and contact details.

>> Download BoL Excel Template

Step 3: Adding the description of goods

Thirdly, we’ll provide detailed information about the goods being shipped, including quantity, type, weight, dimensions, and any special instructions.

>> Download Bill of Lading Excel Template

Step 4: Shipping Information

Then, we’ll indicate the date of shipment, the port of loading, vessels, and the destination port.

Step 5: Adding terms of conditions

Afterwards, terms and conditions step is also one of the most important components of this legal document.

So, you should outline the terms and conditions of the shipment, including liability clauses and instructions for handling the cargo.

Step 6: Print and Signatures

Then, you should take a print out from your BoL.

Lastly, the signatures will turn this document to a legally binding statement.

3. Why to use Excel to prepare BoL?

Microsoft Excel is one of the most common software in work life, and this is not by surprise. So, for preparing your BoL statements, again using Excel will help you to get your desired format with calculations.

Therefore, here are some reasons to use Excel in your BoL formats:

You can customize the BoL to fit your specific needs, adding or removing fields as necessary.
Excel’s formulas and functions can automate repetitive tasks, reducing errors and saving time.
Excel’s calculations will help you to find the sums.
Excel makes it easy to manage and track shipment data, which is crucial for record-keeping and analysis.
You can use Excel templates to save time and energy.

So, you can create your BoL in Excel easily.

4. How to fill out bill of lading?

Once your format is ready, it’s very easy to fill out your BoL:

First, input Shipper and Receiver Information
Add Carrier Information
Describe the goods, including any special handling instructions
Then, add Shipping Details such as shipment date, the port of loading, and the destination port
Define Terms and Conditions
Lastly add Signatures

Again, with dropdown menus and preset info fields, you can automate the filling out process.

5. What are the types of Bill of Ladings?

There are several types of Bills of Lading, each serving a different purpose. Some of them are,

Straight BoL
Order BoL
Clean BoL
Claused BoL
Through BoL
Master BoL
House BoL

6. FAQs

Lastly, you can check the below Frequently Asked Questions to get additional information on bill of ladings and to better understand the process:

What is required to be on a bill of lading?

A Bill of Lading should include the following information:

Shipper and receiver details
Carrier information
Detailed description of goods
Shipping date and locations
Terms and conditions
Signatures of all parties involved
Who should receive the bill of lading?

The original Bill of Lading should be provided to the consignee, the carrier, and the shipper. Also, copies may be needed for customs and other regulatory bodies.

Who pays for a bill of lading?

Typically, the cost of issuing a BoL is borne by the shipper. However, this can vary based on the terms agreed upon between the shipper and the carrier.

Who signs a BoL?

The Bill of Lading must be signed by the shipper, the carrier, and the consignee. So, these signatures confirm that all parties agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the document.

How to read a bill of lading?

First of all, reading a BoL involves understanding the information it contains. So, you should understand the parties involved such as shipper, receiver and carrier. Also, description of goods is an important field to understand the nature of the shipping goods.

Additionally, shipping details may make difference. So you should understand the destination port, shipping types, freight and trailer info, etc.

Lastly, please do not forget to read carefully the terms and conditions before signing a BoL. Because, these terms will outline the shipment’s contractual terms.

What’s the difference between Bill of Lading and Proof of Delivery?

Firstly, the companies prepare and submit a Bill of Lading at the beginning of the shipment process. So, it serves as a contract and receipt for the goods. However, the Proof of Delivery (PoD) is a document signed by the consignee upon receiving the goods, confirming that the shipment was delivered in the expected condition.

7. Conclusion

Finally, we have tried to explain how to make a bill of lading. We have preferred Excel as the document format, because Excel provides easy formatting with grid outlay and also auto-calculations with various formula and functions.

Also, to make a bill of lading statement, it’s so important to understand the key elements that should be included in any BoL statement. So, if you do not want to bother yourself designing this document, you can download our Bill of Lading Excel Template for a ready solution. It’s: