Search

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 58th 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

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

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

The instructor does a great job at presenting material in an approachable way. I have been able to save my company about $30,000 in the last year with what I have learned from Lion!

Curtis Ahonen

EHS&S 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

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

Lion provided an excellent introduction to environmental regulations, making the transition to a new career as an EHS specialist less daunting of a task. Drinking from a fire hose when the flow of water is lessened, is much more enjoyable!

Stephanie Weathers

SHE Specialist

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

This is a very informative training compared to others. It covers everything I expect to learn and even a lot of new things.

Quatama Jackson

Waste Management Professional

These are the best commercial course references I have seen (10+ years). Great job!

Ed Grzybowski

EHS & Facility Engineer

I was able to present my scenario to the instructor and worked thru the regulations together. In the past, I attended another training firm's classes. Now, I have no intention of leaving Lion!

Diana Joyner

Senior Environmental Engineer

You blew the doors off the competition!

Stephen Bieschke

Facilities Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Get to know the top 5 changes to OSHA’s revised GHS Hazard Communication Standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200 and how the updates impacts employee safety at your facility.

Latest Whitepaper

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.