NMFTA Updates Bill of Lading Standards

Posted on 9/19/2016 by Roger Marks

While our transportation-related posts typically focus on hazmat shipping here at Lion News, the update below is critical for shippers of all kinds. The updates to Bills of Lading discussed below do not affect the 49 CFR Hazardous Materials Regulations in any way.

New standards for Bills of Lading (BOL) used in ground transportation took effect on August 13, 2016. They affect the Uniform Bill of Lading, the Straight Bill of Lading, and the Straight BOL-Short Form.

US shippers and carriers should review the updated requirements, which are found in Supplement 2 of the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) version NMF 100-AP. While many high-volume shippers may have their own shipping contracts in place with carriers, smaller businesses and less-than-truckload (LTL) shippers often rely on the BOL terms and conditions to serve as a contract.

Changes to Bill of Lading Terms and Conditions

Found on the back of the Bill of Lading are terms and conditions that outline the responsibilities for shippers and carriers with respect to considerations like property loss or damage and expected delivery times.

Changes to the BOL terms in the update, effective August 13, 2016, include:

Places the burden of proof for carrier negligence resulting in loss, damage, or delay on the shipper.
Adds two new conditions under which the carrier is not liable for loss, damage, or delay: “riots or strikes” and “any related causes”
Gives carriers more flexibility to deliver shipments “in the regular course of its providing transportation services” and not on a particular schedule (unless agreed upon in writing or electronically).
Updates the deadline for reporting claims-for-loss to a carrier to “not more than nine (9) months from the date of the bill of lading”

Bill of lading changes for shippers and carriers

George Carl Pezold, Executive Director of the Transportation and Logistics Council (T&LC), highlights and comments on the critical changes to the Bill Of Lading requirements here.

ICC Compliance Center posted a breakdown of changing Bill of Lading requirements to its blog last week.

Last Multimodal Hazmat Shipper Workshops of 2016!

The final Complete Multimodal Hazmat Shipper Workshops (49 CFR, IATA, IMDG) of 2016 are starting soon. Get up to speed with the latest rules for hazmat ground, air, and vessel shippers—including new rules for air shipments in the 58^th edition IATA Dangerous Goods Regualtions—when the workshops come to Kansas City on October 25-28, Detroit on October 31-November 3, Cincinnati on October 31- November 3, Pittsburgh on December 5-8, and Chicago on December 12-15.

Sign up now to keep your hazmat shipments in compliance, in 2017 and beyond!

Tags: DOT, hazmat shipping, new rules

Find a Post

Search for:

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

As always, Lion never disappoints

Paul Resley

Environmental Coordinator

Our instructor was very dynamic and kept everyone's interest. Hazmat shipping can be a dry, complicated topic but I was engaged the entire time.

Kimberly Arnao

Senior Director of EH&S

This training broke down the regulations in an easy-to-understand manner and made them less overwhelming. I now feel I have the knowledge to make more informed decisions.

Amanda Oswald

Shipping Professional

Lion is at the top of the industry in compliance training. Course content and structure are updated frequently to make annual re-training enjoyable. I like that Lion has experts that I can contact for 1 year after the training.

Caroline Froning

Plant Chemist

The instructor was probably the best I ever had! He made the class enjoyable, was humorous at times, and very knowledgeable.

Mary Sue Michon

Environmental Administrator

Given the choice, I would do all coursework this way. In-person courses go very fast without the opportunity to pause or repeat anything.

Ellen Pelton

Chemical Laboratory Manager

Lion's online training is more comprehensive, has better slides, and is a superior training experience than what I would get from other trainers.

Robert Brenner

District Environmental Manager

Lion courses always set the bar for content, reference, and practical application. Membership and access to the experts is an added bonus.

John Brown, CSP

Director of Safety & Env Affairs

The instructor was great, explaining complex topics in terms that were easily understandable and answering questions clearly and thoroughly.

Brittany Holm

Lab Supervisor

No comparison. Lion has the best RCRA training ever!!

Matt Sabine

Environmental Specialist

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

This guide will help you identify 25 of the most -cited errors in RCRA training, recordkeeping, hazardous waste ID, container management, universal waste, and laboratories.

Download

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.