39 Free Bill of Lading Templates (Include PDF, docx, xls)

This collection features 39 carefully selected Bill of Lading (B/L) templates available in multiple file formats, including PDF, DOCX, DOC, and XLS. These templates are designed to support businesses by providing standardized and professionally structured documentation for shipping and logistics operations. For companies seeking efficiency and compliance in freight management, these templates serve as practical tools that can be adapted or implemented directly.

What is a Bill of Lading?

A Bill of Lading is a legally binding document issued by a carrier to a shipper, acknowledging the receipt of goods for transportation by sea. It stands as a pivotal instrument in maritime trade, defining the legal framework between the shipper, the carrier, and the consignee. More than just a receipt, the Bill of Lading serves as a formal contract of carriage, a document of title to the goods, and an obligation for the carrier to deliver the cargo from the port of departure to the agreed-upon destination port under clearly stated terms and conditions.

For businesses engaged in import and export, handling Bills of Lading is an essential part of international trade operations. However, to participate in such activities legally and effectively, having a properly established business entity is essential. This is why many foreign investors choose to first register a company in Vietnam right from the start, laying the groundwork for compliance and smooth international trade transactions.

A Bill of Lading is a legally binding document issued by a carrier to a shipper as the receipt of goods for transportation by sea

Types of Bill of Lading

The types of Bill of Lading (B/L) can be categorized based on criteria such as negotiability, shipment status, and issuing party. Here are the principal types commonly recognized:

Type	Description
Straight Bill of Lading	Non-negotiable; goods are delivered to a specified consignee only; not transferable. Suitable for direct shipments where ownership transfer is not needed during transit.
Order Bill of Lading	Negotiable; allows transfer of ownership by endorsement; often used in international trade and letters of credit transactions.
Bearer Bill of Lading	Highly negotiable; possession of the document equals ownership; "to bearer" marked; rarely used due to security risks.
Clean Bill of Lading	Declares goods received in good condition, with no damage or irregularities.
Claused (Foul / Dirty) Bill of Lading	Notes goods are damaged or have issues; indicates imperfections or discrepancies.
Received for Shipment Bill of Lading	Issued when goods are received but not yet loaded on a vessel; evidence of receipt before loading.
Shipped on Board Bill of Lading	Confirms goods have been loaded on the vessel.
Master Bill of Lading (MBL)	Issued by the carrier or shipping line to the booking party or freight forwarder.
House Bill of Lading (HBL)	Issued by a freight forwarder to the shipper after receiving MBL, acknowledging receipt of goods.
Through Bill of Lading	Covers shipment across multiple carriers and modes of transport (e.g., inland + ocean), allowing end-to-end transport documentation.
Multimodal/Combined Bill of Lading	Covers multiple transportation modes in a single document, often involving both sea and land transport; in Vietnam, sometimes called "Multimodal B/L" or "Combined B/L", but usage varies and may be distinct from traditional Bill of Lading.
Sea Waybill	A non-document of title; used for simpler, faster delivery without transferability; not suitable for letters of credit transactions.
Surrendered Bill of Lading	Original B/L surrendered at origin to speed release at destination; often used to avoid delays in document transfer; subject to Vietnamese regulations on original B/L presentation.
Charter Party Bill of Lading	Generally refers to a separate charter party contract rather than a distinct Bill of Lading type; used for vessel charter arrangements, especially for bulk cargo.

39 Free Bill of Lading Templates (Source: Collected)

Bill of Lading Templates PDF

Bill of Lading Templates xls (Excel)

Bill of Lading Templates docx, doc

This extensive collection of Bill of Lading templates offers practical resources for businesses aiming to streamline shipping documentation and ensure compliance with international trade practices. We hope the template list above helps you choose a suitable option, so you can either use it directly or develop a new template based on the existing ones.