Three ways to get your bill of lading.
Already have a login?
Open your shipment in the customer portal to download its bill of lading. You can find documents for past shipments there too.
Need portal access?
Request a login to keep your shipment documents, quotes and shipping history in one place. You don’t need to have shipped with us before requesting access.
Want us to email it?
Send us your shipment reference, if you have it, or the pickup date and pickup or delivery address. We’ll help find the right document.
The details that travel with your freight.
Your bill of lading is a legal document that records what’s shipping, who it’s moving between and the terms of transportation. Once signed at pickup, it also serves as a receipt for the freight received. Check the details before the driver signs, and keep a copy for your records.
A little less paperwork confusion.
What is a bill of lading in freight shipping?
A bill of lading, or BOL, identifies the shipper, receiver and freight being transported. It records shipment details and transportation terms, and the signed pickup copy acknowledges receipt of the freight.
For LTL and truckload shipping, it helps the shipper, carrier and receiver work from the same information.
How do I get a copy of my bill of lading?
Open the shipment in the Moto customer portal and download the BOL. Documents for past shipments are available there too.
No login, or trouble finding it? Contact us with your shipment reference, or the pickup date and pickup or delivery address.
Who fills out the bill of lading?
Moto can prepare your BOL using the information supplied when booking. The shipper should check the addresses, freight description, handling-unit count, packaged weight and instructions before pickup.
If something has changed, tell us so the booking and BOL can be updated together.
What information goes on a bill of lading?
A freight BOL typically includes:
- Shipper and receiver names and addresses.
- Pickup date and shipment references.
- Number and type of handling units.
- Description of the goods and total packaged weight.
- Freight class and NMFC item, where applicable.
- Billing details and handling instructions.
- Signatures and any pickup exceptions.
Include the pallet and packaging when calculating shipment weight.
Do I need a blank bill of lading template to ship with Moto?
You don’t need to start with a blank form. Moto can prepare the BOL from your booking details, and you can access it through the customer portal.
If your business requires its own BOL, tell us before pickup so we can confirm the arrangements and any applicable document-handling charge.
What is the difference between a bill of lading and a commercial invoice?
The bill of lading records the transportation details: what is moving, between which locations and under what terms.
The commercial invoice describes the goods for customs purposes, including their value and country of manufacture. For a standard commercial shipment between Canada and the USA, prepare both. One does not replace the other.
Is a bill of lading the same as proof of delivery?
No. A BOL is prepared for the shipment and signed at pickup to acknowledge receipt by the carrier.
Proof of delivery, or POD, records receipt at the destination. A signed delivery copy of the BOL may serve as the POD, or the carrier may use a separate delivery receipt.
What happens if the weight or freight class on my BOL is wrong?
The carrier may reweigh or inspect the shipment and adjust the transportation charges. Depending on the carrier and service, an inspection or correction fee may also apply.
Send accurate packaged dimensions, weight and commodity details when booking. A density estimate alone does not confirm the correct freight class.
Can I change a bill of lading after pickup?
Contact Moto as soon as you spot an error or need to make a change. We’ll confirm what can be updated and whether it affects the transportation arrangements or price.
Changes to the delivery address, receiver or required services may need new instructions and a revised quote.