Name the commodity plainly
Use a specific, ordinary-language name: “wooden cabinets, knocked down” is more useful than “merchandise.” Avoid internal abbreviations that the carrier and receiver cannot decode.
Commodity details
How to describe freight on a bill of lading
A useful freight description identifies what the carrier receives in plain language, then pairs it with the counts, packaging, weight, and classification details the shipment needs. “Freight” is not enough for a driver, dock, carrier, or receiver to reconcile the load.
Describe the goods, then make the description measurable
Start with a specific commodity name that a person at pickup or delivery can recognize—for example, “boxed steel fittings” rather than “parts.” Then add the packaging, handling unit and package count, weight, and any carrier-required NMFC item, sub, or freight class on the same commodity line.
Accuracy matters more than marketing precision. Do not borrow a label from an old BOL, turn a convenience preset into an official classification, or use a standard description for material that is packaged or handled differently this time.
Hazmat requires a different description process
If the shipment is regulated as hazardous material, do not adapt a general-freight description by adding a warning word. Use the current hazardous-materials shipping-paper requirements and a qualified hazmat process.
Build a description that another team can check
State packaging and counts
Pair the commodity with its handling units and packages, such as “2 pallets / 48 cartons.” The count should match the freight physically tendered.
Add weight and dimensions carefully
Use the measurement basis the carrier requests. A copied or estimated number that does not match the shipment can create a mismatch at pickup, rating, or delivery.
Confirm LTL classification separately
Where required, add the current NMFC item and freight class only after confirmation. A descriptive phrase, density calculation, or saved preset is not an official classification decision.
A commodity-description check before pickup
- 1Name the actual goods in clear language someone outside your company can understand.
- 2Match the package type, handling-unit count, and package count to the loaded freight.
- 3Verify the line weight and dimensions against the carrier’s required measurement basis.
- 4Add NMFC or class only when it is current and confirmed for this shipment.
- 5Stop for the appropriate regulated-cargo workflow if general-freight wording is not sufficient.
Freight-description questions
Can I write “general merchandise” on a BOL?
Use a more specific description whenever possible. The carrier and receiver need to connect the BOL to the freight, packaging, weight, and any applicable classification requirements.
Is the commodity description the same as an NMFC item?
No. A commodity description is the plain-language record of the goods. An NMFC item is a classification reference that must be current and applicable to the shipment’s actual characteristics.
Can I reuse a saved commodity description?
You can use a prior description as a starting point, but verify the current goods, packaging, weight, NMFC entry, and class before tendering. Reuse should reduce typing, not replace review.
Related guides
Sources & scope
Updated August 22, 2026. Scope: U.S. domestic general freight. Carrier, tariff, NMFC, customer, and regulated-cargo requirements can require more specific descriptions or documentation. Verify before tendering.
- 49 CFR §373.101 — freight-description and package-count baseline
- NMFTA classification standards — classification confirmation boundary
Describe the load once, then review it in the document
DockBOL pairs each commodity description with package, handling-unit, weight, NMFC, and class fields in a live BOL preview. Confirm each line reflects the freight on the dock.
Free · no account · user-saved commodity presets remain unverified