GLOBAL SELLING BLOG

Bill of lading tracking: A guide on bill of lading status and tracking

Learn how to track bill of lading to find cargo and containers, the importance of bill of lading tracking in the shipping industry, and different methods for tracking.

Having real-time visibility of your shipments can significantly impact your business’s operational efficiency. The bill of lading (BOL) is a fundamental document in the shipping process that serves as a receipt, contract of carriage, and often a document of title for goods. Through a reliable system to track bill of lading, shippers, consignees, and logistics partners can monitor progress, anticipate potential delays, and ensure smooth delivery. This blog provides a look at bill of lading tracking, its importance, and the primary methods available today to maintain essential visibility over your shipments.

Learn the term

Bill of lading

A bill of lading (BOL) is a legal document issued by the carrier to the shipper. It outlines various details about the goods being shipped from one destination to another. It also serves as a shipment receipt when the goods are delivered to their destination. A bill of lading is a mandatory document for all exports from India, and must be signed by the carrier, shipper, and buyer.

What is bill of lading tracking?

Bill of lading tracking is the process used to monitor the status and location of a shipment using the unique number assigned to its bill of lading document. The BOL number is a specific identifier that carriers issue when a shipment is booked. By entering this unique BOL number into a tracking system — typically provided by the shipping carrier or a third-party platform — shippers, consignees, and other stakeholders can access updates on the cargo’s journey.
This tracking system can offer key insights on the status of your shipment, including its current location, milestones reached (e.g., departed port of loading, arrived at transshipment port), and estimated time of arrival (ETA) at the destination port or final delivery point.¹

Importance of bill of lading tracking in shipping

1. Enhanced visibility and planning:

Real-time shipment tracking enables precise arrival forecasting and optimizes downstream activities like warehousing, distribution, inventory management, and customer updates.

2. Improved efficiency:

Identifying potential delays early allows businesses to take corrective actions promptly, potentially mitigating disruptions and optimizing supply chain planning.

3. Reduced costs:

Anticipating delays can help prevent demurrage (fees for containers staying too long at port) and detention charges (fees for keeping carrier equipment too long). Efficient planning also reduces costs associated with buffer stock or expedited shipping necessitated by unforeseen delays.

4. Increased security:

Tracking helps confirm that the cargo is following its intended route and allows for quicker response if deviations or issues arise.

5. Better customer service:

Real-time shipment updates build customer trust and satisfaction. Transparent communication about delays and ETAs can help customers plan better and reduce support queries.²

Top methods for tracking a bill of lading

Some effective methods to track bill of lading are:

● Carrier websites

Nearly all major ocean carriers and many land-based carriers offer online tracking portals on their official websites. Users can navigate to the tracking section and input the unique BOL number (or sometimes the container or booking number).

● Third-party tracking platforms

Many companies offer centralized tracking dashboards. Users can input BOL numbers (or container/booking numbers) from various carriers into a single interface. These platforms may provide additional features like alerts, reporting, and map visualization.

● Freight forwarder portals

Many forwarders offer tracking through their own online portal. This system tracks shipments managed by the forwarder, regardless of the underlying carrier, often including value-added information about customs clearance or consolidation status.

● API integration

For businesses with significant shipping volumes, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) allow direct integration between the carrier’s or third-party platform’s tracking system and the company’s own internal systems (like an ERP or TMS). This automates the data flow.³

Conclusion

Bill of lading tracking can help businesses manage shipping schedules, ensure smoother customs clearance, prevent costly delays, and improve customer satisfaction. With access to real-time bill of lading tracking tools, businesses can make informed supply chain and logistics decisions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I track a bill of lading online?

You can track bill of lading by visiting your shipping carrier’s website and entering the BOL number. Platforms like Container x Change also offer multi-carrier tracking options.

2. Is there any mobile app for tracking BOLs?

Yes, many major shipping carriers and some third-party logistics tracking providers offer mobile applications that allows users to track multiple bills of lading, view shipment statuses, and get real-time notifications.

3. How does GPS tracking work for BOLs?

GPS tracking for bill of lading uses IoT devices attached to containers. These devices transmit real-time location data, helping shippers monitor cargo and proactively manage delays.

Published on May 29, 2025.

Sources:

1. https://parcelsapp.com/en/container-sea-cargo
2. https://www.seavantage.com/blog/understanding-master-bill-of-lading-and-tracking-shipments-by-bill-of-lading
3. https://www.credlix.com/blogs/best-ways-to-track-bill-of-lading-in-2023
4. https://www.gocomet.com/online-container-tracking

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