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General Bill Of Lading for the United States

General 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. Under U.S. law, it is governed by federal legislation including COGSA and the Pomerene Act, as well as state-specific UCC provisions. It serves as evidence of the contract between the shipper and carrier, detailing the type, quantity, and destination of goods being transported.

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General Bill Of Lading

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What is a General Bill Of Lading?

The General Bill of Lading is a fundamental document in shipping and transportation, required whenever goods are transported commercially within or from the United States. It serves three critical functions: receipt for goods, contract of carriage, and document of title. The document must comply with federal regulations including COGSA and the Pomerene Act, while also adhering to state-specific UCC requirements. A properly executed Bill of Lading provides essential protection for all parties involved in the shipping process and facilitates the transfer of goods and payment.

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

1. Shipper Information: Details of the party sending the goods including full name, address, and contact information

2. Consignee Information: Details of the party receiving the goods including full name, address, and contact information

3. Carrier Information: Details of the transportation company including company name, USDOT number, and driver information

4. Shipment Details: Comprehensive description of goods, quantity, weight, dimensions, packaging type, and freight class

5. Terms and Conditions: Standard shipping terms, liability provisions, and carrier's limitations of liability under applicable laws

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

1. Special Instructions: Section for specific handling requirements, delivery instructions, or safety procedures for special cargo

2. Third Party Billing: Section for payment instructions when freight charges are billed to a party other than shipper or consignee

3. Customs Information: Section for international shipping details including export/import documentation requirements

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

1. Packing List: Detailed itemized list of all goods included in the shipment with quantities and descriptions

2. Material Safety Data Sheets: Documentation containing safety information for hazardous materials being transported

3. Certificate of Origin: Official document certifying the country where the shipped goods were manufactured or produced

Authors

Alex Denne

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

Jurisdiction

United States

Publisher

Ƶ

Document Type

Bill of Lading

Cost

Free to use
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Industries

Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA): Federal law governing rights and responsibilities between shippers and ocean carriers in international ocean transport to/from US ports.

Federal Bills of Lading Act (Pomerene Act): Federal law regulating bills of lading in foreign and interstate commerce, establishing rules for negotiable bills of lading.

Interstate Commerce Act: Federal law regulating interstate transportation and commerce, including requirements for carriers and shipping documentation.

Harter Act: Federal maritime law governing carrier liability in shipping contracts and bills of lading for voyages between US ports.

Shipping Act of 1984: Federal law establishing regulations for ocean shipping, including requirements for documentation and carrier responsibilities.

Hague Rules: International convention establishing uniform rules for bills of lading in international trade.

Hague-Visby Rules: Updated version of Hague Rules with modified liability limits and expanded scope of application.

Hamburg Rules: Alternative international convention governing carriage of goods by sea, though not adopted by the United States.

Rotterdam Rules: Modern international convention addressing electronic commerce in maritime transport (pending ratification).

UCC Article 7: Uniform Commercial Code Article governing documents of title, including bills of lading, as adopted by individual states.

FMCSA Regulations: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules governing motor carrier transportation and documentation requirements.

Surface Transportation Board Requirements: Federal agency regulations governing rail and surface transportation documentation and procedures.

Federal Maritime Commission Regulations: Maritime regulations governing ocean transportation and shipping documentation requirements.

Homeland Security Requirements: Security-related documentation and procedures required for shipping within and to/from the United States.

Customs Regulations: Federal requirements for documentation and procedures related to import/export shipping and customs clearance.

Electronic Documentation Requirements: Federal and industry standards for electronic bills of lading and related shipping documentation.

Teams

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