Generate a rail BoL in PDF and Word format. Supports domestic, US to Mexico, and US to Canada lanes. Hazmat-aware — auto-inserts §172.204 shipper certification, validates §172.604 emergency-response provider, and surfaces §172.704 training reminders.
Step 1 — Lane Type
Pick the regulatory regime that applies. Cross-border lanes surface CBP, CARM, and Carta Porte reminders later in the form.
Step 2 — Parties
Shipper (consignor) is the entity offering the freight. Consignee is the receiving party; a "c/o" party means the consignee receives at a third-party facility (transload, port).
Shipper / Consignor
Consignee
§172.204 note on c/o parties: When freight is delivered to a transload, port, or third-party warehouse, the BoL lists the c/o party so the carrier knows where to physically deliver. The consignee remains the legal recipient — both names appear on the document.
Bill-To and Freight Terms
Collect (Consignor Non-Recourse) — 49 CFR Part 1035 Section 7.
For Collect shipments, the BoL document will include the verbatim non-recourse signature
statement below. NMFTA removed the front-of-form "Section 7" checkbox effective
2021-04-10; the contract clause still exists.
Subject to Section 7 of the conditions of applicable bill of lading, if this shipment is to be delivered to the consignee without recourse on the consignor, the consignor shall sign the following statement: The carrier shall not make delivery of this shipment without payment of freight and all other lawful charges.
Step 3 — Shipment
Origin / destination cities use the same lookup as our rate-quote tool. Add equipment, car initials/numbers, and routing.
Under Rule 11, each carrier on the route rates its segment independently. The BoL records each segment separately with its own SCAC + junction + rate.
AAR Open Top Loading Rules. Breakbulk loads on open-top equipment
(gondola, flatcar, mill gondola, bulkhead flatcar) must be loaded and braced per
the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual. Reference the applicable rule section in
special instructions on Step 7.
Step 4 — Commodity
STCC code is required on the rail waybill (AAR Rule 5 + 110). Hazmat STCCs start with 49.
Step 5 — Hazmat Details
Required when the shipment contains a hazardous material per 49 CFR Part 172. The BoL will include the §172.204 shipper's certification and §172.604 emergency-response phone.
PHMSA penalty disclosure. Falsification of the §172.204 certification or
listing an emergency-response phone without an active provider contract can subject
the shipper to civil penalties up to $238,809 per violation per day
(49 CFR 107.329, eff. Jan 2025).
§172.604 Emergency Response Phone
Live-answer required. Per 49 CFR §172.604, the phone number must be
monitored 24/7 and answered by a person knowledgeable of the shipment (or with immediate
access to such a person). Answering machines, voicemail, and IVR systems are prohibited.
Contract verification required. You must have an active contract with this
provider before listing their number on a BoL. §172.604 requires the provider to have
access to your shipment data when the call is received. Listing a number without a
contract is a federal violation subject to PHMSA penalties up to $99,756 per violation.
Self-provided number — 24/7 live answer rule. Per 49 CFR §172.604(a)(3),
this phone number MUST be answered 24/7 by a real person with knowledge of this specific
shipment. Answering machines, voicemail menus, and IVR systems are prohibited. Verify
your on-call rotation can meet this standard before listing an internal number.
§172.704 Hazmat Employee Training
Training is over 3 years old. Per §172.704(c)(2), hazmat employee
training must be refreshed at least once every 3 years. Confirm recurrent training
is current before tendering this shipment.
§172.204 Shipper's Certification
The following verbatim statement will be inserted above the shipper signature line on the generated BoL.
This is to certify that the above-named materials are properly classified, described, packaged, marked and labeled, and are in proper condition for transportation according to the applicable regulations of the Department of Transportation.
I hereby declare that the contents of this consignment are fully and accurately described above by the proper shipping name, and are classified, packaged, marked and labeled/placarded, and are in all respects in proper condition for transport according to applicable international and national governmental regulations.
Step 6 — Cross-Border
Surfaces SAT Carta Porte / CARM / USMCA / AES reminders based on the lane type picked in Step 1.
Mexican Agente Aduanal. Recommended: licensed Agente Aduanal in the
aduana of crossing (Article 40 Ley Aduanera). Self-clearance is legally allowed via
RLA accreditation but rarely practical. Your Agente Aduanal's patente must
include the aduana you intend to cross at — confirm before booking.
Carta Porte 3.1 preview. A full Carta Porte 3.1 XML generator (TipoTransp=04
for Ferroviario, ≥5 Ubicación nodes for rail) is shipping as a separate Steel Wheel tool.
For now, this BoL captures the basic shipment data the Agente Aduanal needs to file the
CFDI 4.0 + Complemento Carta Porte at the aduana.
CARM Client Portal. Mandatory since Oct 2024 for all importers of
record into Canada. Self-account allowed (no Canadian broker required), but
CARM Client Portal registration + RM business number are required to release goods
and post your own RPP bond.
ACI eManifest. Filed by the rail carrier at least 2 hours prior to arrival
at the First Port of Arrival in Canada (CBSA Memorandum D3-6-6). The data on this BoL
populates the carrier's filing — make sure shipper/consignee, commodity, weights, car
numbers, and seal numbers are accurate.
Domestic lane. No cross-border filings required. The generated BoL
includes the verbatim 49 CFR Part 1035 contract language. Skip ahead to Step 7
for special instructions.
Step 7 — Special Instructions
Optional — securement, temperature constraints, notify party, accessorial requests. These render on the BoL under the commodity table.
Step 8 — Preview & Download
Review what will land on the document, then export to PDF or Word. Save as a named template to reuse on repeat lanes.
One step before your BoL
Where should we send your bill of lading? We'll only contact you about this shipment unless you ask us to follow up on the broader lane.
