Handling unit
This is the transport-facing outer unit: pallet, skid, crate, drum, roll, or another item the carrier handles. Enter both the quantity and the unit type.
Freight line details
Handling units vs. packages on a bill of lading
A handling unit describes the outer unit a carrier handles, such as a pallet or crate. Packages describe the cartons, boxes, pieces, or other units within the freight. Record both when they differ so pickup and receiving teams can reconcile the same shipment at two levels.
Count the outer handling unit and the inner packages separately
If 48 cartons are shrink-wrapped on two pallets, the shipment has two handling units and 48 packages. Writing “48 pallets” or “2 cartons” creates a false picture of the freight the carrier must move and the receiver must reconcile.
The terms can vary by carrier and BOL design, so use the labels and counting basis the carrier requires. The practical goal is simple: make the physical freight visible enough that origin, driver, and destination can identify a mismatch without guessing.
Use the two counts to describe the same freight honestly
Package
This is the contained or individual count: cartons, boxes, pieces, bags, or another package type. A pallet may hold many packages, or a loose shipment may have the same count in both fields.
Commodity line
When freight has different commodities, package types, or classes, use separate lines so the counts and descriptions remain tied to the right goods.
Weight and dimensions
Keep the line’s weight and dimensions consistent with the count basis the carrier requires. Do not copy a per-pallet measurement as a whole-shipment total without checking the calculation.
One shipment, two useful counts
| Loaded freight | Handling-unit entry | Package entry |
|---|---|---|
| 2 pallets, 24 cartons on each | 2 pallets | 48 cartons |
| 6 loose crates | 6 crates | 6 crates |
| 1 pallet with 12 cartons and 4 loose cartons | 1 pallet + 4 loose cartons | 16 cartons |
Before you confirm the freight counts
- 1Look at the freight as loaded, not only at the order quantity.
- 2Enter the outer handling unit and its type when freight is palletized, crated, drummed, or otherwise unitized.
- 3Enter the inner package count and type when it differs from the handling-unit count.
- 4Split mixed packaging or materially different commodities into clear lines when the carrier process needs it.
- 5Compare the final counts, weights, and descriptions with the loaded freight before pickup.
Handling-unit questions
Are pallets always handling units?
Often, but use the carrier’s field definitions and approved unit types. The key is to describe what the carrier physically receives and moves.
What if the package count and handling-unit count are the same?
That can be correct for loose crates, drums, or other single-level freight. Record the type clearly and do not invent a different inner count.
Should I list different commodities on separate lines?
Usually, when descriptions, package types, weights, NMFC items, or freight classes differ. Follow the carrier’s BOL instructions for the shipment.
Related guides
Sources & scope
Updated August 22, 2026. Scope: U.S. domestic general freight. Field labels, package conventions, and rating requirements vary by carrier and shipment. Confirm the carrier’s required count and measurement basis before tendering.
- ShipEngine freight documentation: handling units and commodities — example of outer handling units and contained commodities
- 49 CFR §373.101 — package-count and freight-description baseline
Keep pallet and package counts visible on the same line
DockBOL provides separate handling-unit and package fields for each commodity line, then totals them in the live document preview. Enter what was actually loaded.
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