The Complete Guide to Extracting Data from Bill of Lading (BoL) for Logistics Automation
Why Manual Bill of Lading Processing is Costing You More Than You Think
Every logistics and supply chain company processes hundreds — if not thousands — of Bills of Lading (BoLs) daily. But here’s the issue: manual data extraction is slow, error-prone, and expensive. One wrong entry, and you could be dealing with shipment delays, compliance risks, and financial losses.
If you’re spending hours on manual BoL data entry, it’s time to automate.
This guide will break down how to efficiently extract data from a Bill of Lading, optimize workflows, and cut down processing time by 90%.
What is Bill of Lading Data Extraction?
Data Extraction from Bill of Lading refers to the process of capturing, digitizing, and storing shipment details from a BoL document for faster logistics processing, compliance, and tracking.
There are two ways to extract BoL data:
- Manual Data Entry – Prone to errors, time-consuming, and expensive.
- Automated Extraction – Uses AI, OCR Software, and Machine Learning for accuracy and speed.
Why automation? Because businesses processing high document volumes need efficiency, accuracy, and compliance — and manual data entry just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Manual vs Automated Bill of Lading Data Extraction
Essential Data Fields in a Bill of Lading
For seamless logistics automation, these 10 crucial fields must be extracted:
- Shipment Identification: PO Number, Shipment Number, Container Number, Seal Number
- Shipper & Consignee Details: Name, Address, Contact Information
- Goods Description: Type, Quantity, Weight, HS Code
- Container Details: Type, Number of Containers
- Financial Information: Proforma Invoice Date, Freight Charges, Payment Terms
- Dates & Locations: Shipped on Board Date, Port of Loading, Place of Receipt, Destination
- Legal Compliance: Documentary Credit Number, Signatory Information
- Freight Charges: Cost breakdown for budgeting and auditing
When extracted accurately, this data optimizes freight management, reduces errors, and ensures compliance with shipping regulations.
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How Bill of Lading OCR Works?
Step 1: Pre-Processing
- Document Preparation: Enhances document clarity by removing blurs and improving alignment for better OCR recognition and OCR accuracy.
Step 2: Document Classification
- AI identifies the document type (like ocean Bill of Lading, Invoice, or Purchase Order) and applies customized extraction rules.
Step 3: Automated Capture & Digitization
- OCR converts the scanned or digital Bill of Lading into structured machine-readable text. Basically a Bill of Lading pdf conversion.
Step 4: Intelligent Data Extraction & Analysis
- AI-powered extraction identifies key shipment details, cross-checks fields, and ensures data completeness.
Step 5: Validation & Integration
- Extracted data undergoes quality checks to ensure accuracy before integration into ERP, TMS, or LMS.
Step 6: RESTful API Integration
Enables real-time data transfer between systems for seamless logistics operations.
Benefits of Using Automated Data Extraction from Bill of Lading
1. Better Consistency & Reduced Errors
Automated extraction eliminates human errors, ensuring accurate data capture and reducing discrepancies.
2. Improved Operational Efficiency
AI-powered Bill of Lading processing speeds up data extraction, reducing manual workload and optimizing workflows.
3. Higher Cost Savings
Cut down costs related to labor-intensive data entry and minimize financial losses due to manual errors.
4. Compliance & Risk Management
Automated data extraction ensures compliance with GDPR, DPDPA, and global trade regulations, reducing legal risks.
5. Scalability & Flexibility
Process thousands of BoLs simultaneously without slowing operations, even during peak shipping seasons.
6. Security & Audit Trails
Maintain a detailed log of extracted data with full audit tracking, ensuring transparency and security in freight processes.
Step-by-Step Guide to Extract Data from Bill of Lading Using KlearStack
Outstanding Features of KlearStack’s Bill of Lading OCR
1. Template-Free Processing
KlearStack’s AI-powered BoL OCR adapts to all Bill of Lading types without requiring manual template configurations, making it efficient for dynamic logistics environments.
2. Multi-Lingual OCR Support
Supports 50+ languages, allowing businesses with global operations to process BoLs in different languages accurately.
3. Bulk BoL Processing
Processes thousands of different types of Bill of Lading documents, eliminating manual workload and reducing document processing time.
4. Line-Item Data Extraction
Extracts detailed shipment data including shipper details, item descriptions, and financial records for accurate reconciliation.
5. Multi-Page Document Extraction
Handles multi-page BoLs seamlessly, ensuring every crucial data point is extracted, even from lengthy shipping documents.
6. Straight-Through Processing (STP)
Automates end-to-end Bill of Lading processing, reducing human intervention, speeding up workflows, and ensuring accuracy.
7. Seamless System Integration
Integrates with ERP, TMS, and financial management systems, ensuring extracted data flows directly into logistics operations.
8. AI-Powered Document Classification
Automatically classifies and categorizes BoLs, invoices, and purchase orders, reducing manual sorting efforts.
9. Automated Document Splitting
Identifies and separates BoLs from attached documents, improving processing efficiency and organization.
10. Rich Document Audit Engine
Validates extracted data against predefined business rules, flagging discrepancies for accurate compliance reporting.
11. Rules-Based Workflows
Set custom processing rules based on supplier, value, or product type, automating Bill of Lading document handling.
12. Self-Learning AI
Continuously improves accuracy by learning from past document extractions, enhancing efficiency over time.
Why Leading Logistics Companies Choose KlearStack
- 99% Data Accuracy – Zero human intervention, zero errors.
- Processes 1,000+ Documents Daily – Handles high-volume logistics effortlessly.
- Integrates with Your Existing Systems – No need to change your workflow.
Ready to eliminate manual Bill of Lading tracking? Experience how KlearStack can streamline your freight processes, reduce errors, and accelerate workflows.
Final Thoughts
BoL processing doesn’t have to be slow, error-prone, or costly. By automating data extraction, you improve operational efficiency, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.
Manual data entry is outdated. AI-powered automation is the future. If your logistics business handles high document volumes, KlearStack ensures accuracy, speed, and seamless integration — without the manual workload.
Don’t let outdated processes hold your business back. Automate Bill of Lading processing today with KlearStack!
Book a Free Demo Now
FAQs on Bill of Lading Data Extraction
Key details such as shipment details, consignee and shipper information, item descriptions, quantities, and transport information get extracted from a Bill of Lading.
The process of identifying and capturing relevant information from a Bill of Lading document is called data extraction from a Bill of Lading.
Two types of data extraction methods are – manual and automated data extraction software.
Vadali Vamshi is a technology writer specializing in AI-powered document processing, intelligent automation, and OCR solutions. He helps businesses simplify complex document workflows through clear, insightful, and actionable content. Passionate about emerging trends in Document AI, Vadali writes extensively on how intelligent document processing accelerates efficiency and compliance across industries.
