Shipping companies have quite a complex and challenging activity. Once issued, the freight invoice needs to be sent to the client by email, or any way you agree. Transport invoices also have to include the delivery route, the carriers that perform the transport, and the transfer points, if there are any.
The total amount due, including any special charges.The total estimated rate for the shipment.The number of packages, their detailed description, the volume and the weight are included.Both the origin and the destination point.The identifying information of the seller and the buyer.
To be sure your freight invoice is correct, check for the presence of the following elements: It is a bit more complicated than other billing documents, but the freight invoice templates make it easier by organizing the information so that no relevant data is left out. What Is Included in a Freight Invoice?Ĭreating a freight invoice sounds a bit overwhelming, but if you use a shipping invoice template, it will be done in no time. Another crucial difference from the freight invoice is that the bill of lading is an official document that stands out in court, if necessary. The bill of lading has to be signed twice, once when the carrier picks up the merchandise and then again when the consignee receives it. It regulates the conditions in which the transport must take place and includes varied information, including when and where the merchandise is picked up, what is the destination, what the state of the merchandise is, or its weight. On the other hand, the bill of lading is the official contract between the two parties involved in the transport. If you’re the shipper, you issue a freight invoice to clearly show the buyer what they owe you. As such, it sometimes includes additional charges that may occur or other relevant pieces of information connected to the transport. It also includes the freight costs that must be paid.Įssentially, this is the invoice, in the traditional sense, and its primary purpose is to ensure that the buyer makes the full and correct payment. It contains relevant details of the merchandise for the consignee to check on arrival. But although they look quite similar, a few important differences still exist.Īs we have already mentioned, the freight or transport invoice is issued by the shipper. What Are the Differences Between a Freight Invoice and a Bill of Lading?īoth the freight invoice and the bill of lading are documents that usually accompany any transport. So, it’s essential to make sure the document you issue is accurate and looks professional. And because freight charges have increased these last years, mostly because of the rise in oil prices, buyers are even more interested in the transport invoices. The transport invoice is crucial because once the client approves it, they use it to pay for the shipper’s services. So, it’s essential to issue the freight invoice accurately. The carrier must have the document at all times until they render it to the consignee, who is usually in charge of the duties and any other freight charges that may appear. Transport invoices are the official connection, as far as a particular transport is concerned, between the shipper and the consignee/receiver. Using shipping invoice templates helps the shipper make sure all the items are documented, and all the freight charges are included. It shows the transport is legal and it helps them receive the payment for their services. The transportation invoice is a mandatory document during transport, and all carriers must use it. The carrier uses the transport invoice to identify every item and mention the freight charges applied. A freight invoice is a document issued to accompany the goods during transport, and it contains all the relevant information connected to it.