The Importance Of A Bill Of Lading | Part 1
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The Importance Of A Bill Of Lading | Part 1

What Is A Bill Of Lading?

A Bill Of Lading (BOL) is a legal document between the shipper of particular goods and the carrier detailing the type, quantity, date of direct shipment and destination of the goods being carried. The Bill of Lading also serves as a receipt of shipment when the goods are delivered to the predetermined destination. This document must accompany the shipped goods, no matter the form of transportation, and must be signed by an authorized representative from the carrier, shipper and receiver. The carrier or the shipper can complete it, but the driver of the transport company is to sign and date it once the goods are on-board.

Importance Of A Bill Of Lading | Part 2

What Does Customs Look For On A Bill Of Lading?

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) requires to know:

  • The number of pieces
  • Total weight, and
  • Date of direct shipment for each shipment on board

The number of pieces, total weight and date of direct shipment is a requirement for the declaration made by the Importer of Record/Customs Broker. It is highly recommended that you provide a copy of the Bill of Lading to the Importer of Record/Customs Broker so that the information can be confirmed against the corresponding invoice(s) being declared. If it is not provided to the Customs Broker, the carrier must still advise by other means, the number of pieces, total weight and date of direct shipment.

A carrier must always make the Bill of Lading available to a CBSA officer in the event it is requested.

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About Author
Taryn Hannah
CCS, CTCS

Taryn Hannah is General Manager for PCB Canadian Operations, directly overseeing the Release, Trade Compliance, and Office Administration teams. Taryn has been a trade professional since 2005, specializing in strategic and operational process building and management. She began her career with PCB in release operations, which built a strong foundation in many entry modes. In 2010 Taryn became the Supervisor of our Trade Compliance Group, working with staff and clients to understand regulatory documentation, labeling, data, and timing requirements for all imports into Canada. Over the years, she has become an expert in Participating in Government Agency dealings and has been called upon to speak at events such as Vancouver Fashion Week and various customized courses for industry and associations. Taryn has been recognized for her expert knowledge by receiving the designations of Customs Compliance Specialist (CCS) and Certified Trade Compliance Specialist (CTCS) from the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers.

While we strive for accuracy in all our communications, as the Importer of Record it is incumbent upon your company to ensure that you are aware of the requirements under the new regulations so that you maintain compliance as always.