Bill of Lading tracking is used to monitor shipments sent by various modes of transport. Tracking systems use BL numbers, container numbers, or vehicle names to provide updates on shipment status and estimated arrival time. Carriers provide web-based applications for customers to check shipment status. RFID technology is also being used to track goods.
Bill of Lading tracking is used to provide the current status of shipments sent by ship, freight train, air and land transport. Businesses and individuals use tracking systems to verify if a shipment has reached its intended recipient or to retrieve the estimated arrival time. Most tracking systems are driven by computerized database servers, handheld scanning devices, and web-based status tools. Bill of lading can be tracked by a bill of lading (BL) number, container number, name of the vessel or reservation number.
The BL or consignment number is one of the most commonly used types of bill of lading tracking. This number is usually assigned by a computer when a shipping invoice is generated. The number is included on the shipping label and can be visually viewed as a barcode scanned by handheld computers. Each time the shipment passes through a distribution center or is placed onto a transport vehicle, the barcode is scanned to provide an update.
Shipping companies and couriers typically use a BL number as a way to give a single shipment or package a unique identifier. When goods are sorted and shipped in bulk, they may be grouped in separate containers. For example, auto parts can be transported on a cargo ship which is scheduled to deliver several containers to a port. A supply chain network can often determine when a customer’s order will arrive by tracking the number of containers to which the goods are assigned.
Goods and shipments can also be tracked by carrier or vehicle name. With this type of bill of lading tracking, the name or number of the vehicle carrying a particular group of shipments is used. For example, a ship’s name or a flight number can be entered into the tracking system to get a current status. Most computerized tracking systems show who is currently in possession of the shipment, including the carrier’s name and vehicle operator number.
Reservation numbers are a type of bill of lading tracking used in certain countries and regions. They are similar to a BL or tracking number that identifies individual packages. Booking and BL numbers can contain a variety of numbers and letters and are rarely reused. They provide a convenient way for businesses to verify that a recipient has received an order and prevent financial loss due to lost goods claims.
Most carriers provide web-based applications that allow customers to check the current status of a shipment online. These tools are an important part of a bill of lading tracking system as they automatically generate statuses by number or name. Some companies are starting to incorporate Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology with distribution tracking systems, which expand on the idea of using unique identification numbers to track the location of goods.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
