Digitize your deliveries
Electronic bills of lading (eBOL) are a major step forward for today’s LTL shipper. These electronic documents not only provide better end-to-end visibility, but they also reduce entry errors and cut administrative costs.
How eBOLs work
- C.H. Robinson sends shipment information to the carrier using API
- The carrier electronically sends the PRO number back to C.H. Robinson
- Scannable barcode is added to the BOL and pallet label
What sets C.H. Robinson electronic bills of lading apart
Unmatched Expertise
Rely on our deep LTL and eBOL expertise to eliminate manual paperwork, significantly reducing errors and delays in your shipping process.
Unrivaled Scale
Gain comprehensive, real-time visibility across all your LTL shipments through our digital tools and eBOL capabilities.
Tailored Solutions
Enjoy the flexibility of a customized eBOL solution that seamlessly integrates with your existing systems and unique shipping needs.
Reasons to choose an electronic bill of lading
- Improve visibility: Access the PRO number in seconds for faster updates to your freight
- Reduce invoice delays: Invoice the correct party from the start based on the carrier scan of the eBOL barcode at pickup.
- Reduce entry errors: Eliminate the need for a clerk to enter shipment details manually at the terminal after pickup.
- Enable automation: Use instant access to info to automate pre-pickup visibility, in-transit visibility, preliminary invoicing, and more.
- Save time on the dock: Stop wasting dock time locating carrier PRO books, adding PRO stickers to the BOL, or waiting for a driver to arrive before being able to PRO your freight.
Frequently asked questions for eBOLs
Q: How do eBOLs help with shipment visibility?
Your shipment will have a PRO number assigned before it’s been picked up, and tracking is enabled quickly. Prior to eBOL, you may not have received a PRO number until the next business day, when your shipment was already in transit.
Q: How can eBOLs reduce invoicing delays?
The eBOL removes the potential for manual data entry errors, so carriers can be confident that each shipment is set up with accurate information. Time spent reviewing and correcting invoices (or sending secondary invoices) is drastically reduced.
Q: How does the eBOL effect my dock team?
Because the eBOL process has already assigned a PRO to your shipment, your dock team will not need to manage PRO books, place PRO stickers on bills of lading, or wait for drivers to arrive to assign PROs.
Q: How does eBOL impact my bill of lading (BOL)?
If you’re using the C.H. Robinson BOL, you’ll now see a PRO number and scannable barcode on your documents. You can access them via Navisphere or have them emailed to you directly.
Q: Do I have to use a C.H. Robinson BOL?
No. If you have the ability to create Barcode 3of9 scannable barcodes you can continue to use your own BOLs. In this case, you will receive your PRO number in Navisphere via EDI connection. It is then your responsibility to create the scannable barcode based on that PRO and add the barcode to your bill of lading.