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Rail Transportation Bill of Lading (STB/49 CFR Compliant)

Rail Transportation · NAICS 482 · Bill of Lading

A rail bill of lading is the contract of carriage between a shipper and a railroad, covering the transportation of freight by rail. Unlike truck bills, rail shipments often involve multiple railroads, complex interchange rules, and specific railcar types. This template is tailored to the rail industry, incorporating STB (Surface Transportation Board) regulations and 49 CFR requirements for hazardous materials. It includes essential fields for railcar information, commodity descriptions, and carrier designations, helping you create a clear, enforceable document that protects your interests and ensures smooth rail transport.

When you need this document

When shipping bulk commodities like grain, coal, or chemicals via rail.
When you need to document a rail shipment for a single carload or multiple carloads.
When your shipment requires interchange between two or more railroads.
When transporting hazardous materials by rail and need to comply with 49 CFR.
When you need a record of the contract terms for a rail shipment, including liability and demurrage.

What the generated draft includes

Shipper and consignee details with full addresses
Origin and destination railroad selection
Railcar type and commodity description fields
Hazardous materials declaration section (if applicable)
Weight and special instructions
Standard terms and conditions referencing STB and Carmack Amendment

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a rail bill of lading and a truck bill of lading?

Rail bills of lading are governed by federal regulations and STB rules, and they often involve multiple railroads and railcar-specific details. They also incorporate rail industry practices like demurrage and carload weights.

Do I need to include hazardous material information on the bill of lading?

Yes, if your shipment is hazardous, you must provide the proper shipping name, hazard class, UN/NA number, packing group, and emergency response information as required by 49 CFR. This template includes a field to indicate hazmat and prompts you to add these details.

Can this bill of lading be used for international rail shipments?

No, this template is designed for domestic US rail shipments under STB jurisdiction. For cross-border moves to Canada or Mexico, you may need additional documentation.

Self-help document generator: you get a structured draft based on the facts you provide. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice; verify jurisdiction-specific rules before sending.