What Is a Bilty (Lorry Receipt)?
A bilty — known formally as a Lorry Receipt (LR) or Goods Receipt (GR) — is the single most important document in Indian road transport. When a consignor hands over goods to a transporter for delivery to another city or state, the transporter issues a bilty as acknowledgment. This document records what was received, in what condition, where it is going, and under what terms.
The word “bilty” comes from the Hindi term widely used in North Indian transport markets. In South India and formal legal contexts, the same document is called a Lorry Receipt or Consignment Note. Regardless of the name, the function is identical: it is both a receipt and a contract. The person who holds the original consignee copy of the bilty has the right to claim the goods at the destination.
Legal Importance Under the Carriage by Road Act
The Carriage by Road Act, 2007 (which replaced the Carriers Act, 1865) governs the liability of common carriers in India. Under this Act, the goods receipt is a foundational document. Section 8 makes the common carrier liable for loss, damage, or non-delivery of goods from the moment the goods receipt is issued until the goods are delivered to the consignee.
This means that if goods are lost or damaged in transit, the consignor or consignee can hold the transporter liable — but only if a valid goods receipt (bilty) exists. Without a bilty, proving that the goods were ever entrusted to the transporter becomes extremely difficult. Courts and insurance companies both rely on the bilty as primary evidence in freight-related disputes. For this reason, never dispatch goods without obtaining a properly filled bilty from the transporter.
Mandatory Fields in a Bilty / LR
A complete bilty must contain the following information to be legally valid and practically useful:
- GR / LR Number — A unique serial number assigned by the transporter to each bilty for tracking and reference
- Date of booking — The date when goods were received by the transporter
- Consignor name and address — The sender of the goods
- Consignee name and address — The intended receiver of the goods at destination
- Origin and destination — The cities/locations between which goods are being transported
- Description of goods — What is being transported (e.g., “50 cartons of auto parts”)
- Number of packages — Total count of packages, bags, cartons, or units
- Weight — Actual weight or charged weight, usually in kilograms or metric tonnes
- Vehicle number — Registration number of the truck carrying the goods
- Freight charges — Whether freight is “To Pay” (paid by consignee at delivery) or “Paid” (prepaid by consignor)
- Declared value — The value of goods as declared by the consignor (important for insurance and liability limits)
- E-way bill number — Mandatory for consignments above Rs 50,000 under GST
- Transporter details — Name, address, and GSTIN of the transport company
How a Bilty Differs from an E-Way Bill
A common point of confusion among new transport operators is the difference between a bilty and an e-way bill. While both documents travel with the goods, they serve entirely different purposes:
The bilty (LR) is a commercial document issued by the transporter. It establishes the contract of carriage, records what goods were received, and determines liability. It is governed by the Carriage by Road Act.
The e-way bill is a tax compliance document generated on the GST portal. It is required when goods worth over Rs 50,000 are moved between locations. It is governed by CGST/SGST rules and is used by tax authorities to track the movement of goods and prevent tax evasion.
You need both documents for every eligible consignment. The bilty protects your commercial interests; the e-way bill keeps you compliant with tax law. They are complementary, not interchangeable.
The Three Copies of a Bilty
A standard bilty is prepared in three copies, each serving a different stakeholder:
- Consignor copy — Stays with the sender as proof that goods were dispatched and handed over to the transporter. Used for accounting and insurance purposes.
- Consignee copy — Travels with the goods (or is sent separately by post/courier). The consignee must present this copy to claim the goods at the destination. In “To Pay” shipments, the transporter releases the goods only after the consignee pays the freight and surrenders the bilty.
- Transporter copy — Retained by the transport company for their internal records, accounting, and audit trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bilty in transport?
A bilty — also known as a Lorry Receipt (LR) or Goods Receipt (GR) — is a document issued by a transporter when they take charge of goods for transportation. It serves as a receipt acknowledging that the goods have been received in apparent good condition and as a contract of carriage between the transporter and the consignor. The bilty is one of the most important documents in Indian road transport and is widely used across the country by transport companies of all sizes.
Is a bilty legally valid in India?
Yes. The bilty or lorry receipt is recognized under the Carriage by Road Act, 2007. Section 2(p) defines a "goods receipt" as a document issued by a common carrier or transporter acknowledging receipt of goods for carriage. Under Section 8, the common carrier is liable for loss or damage to goods from the time the goods receipt is issued until delivery. This makes the bilty an essential legal document in case of disputes, insurance claims, or litigation related to goods in transit.
How many copies of a bilty are required?
Traditionally, a bilty is prepared in three copies: (1) the consignor copy, which stays with the sender as proof of dispatch; (2) the consignee copy, which travels with the goods and is handed over at delivery along with the goods; and (3) the transporter copy, which the transport company retains for their records. Some transporters prepare a fourth copy for the driver or a fifth for the branch office at destination. The consignee copy is the most critical — without it, the transporter should not release the goods.
What is the difference between a bilty and an e-way bill?
A bilty (lorry receipt) is issued by the transporter as a receipt and contract of carriage. An e-way bill is a GST compliance document generated on the government portal (ewaybillgst.gov.in) that must accompany goods worth over Rs 50,000 during transit. They serve different purposes: the bilty proves that goods were handed over to the transporter and defines liability, while the e-way bill proves that appropriate GST has been or will be paid on the goods being moved. Both documents travel with the consignment but are issued by different parties for different legal reasons.
Can I use a digital or electronic bilty instead of paper?
Yes. Many transport companies and logistics platforms have moved to electronic lorry receipts (e-LR). The Indian government has been encouraging digitization of transport documents. The e-LR contains the same information as a paper bilty but is generated, stored, and shared electronically. ULIP (Unified Logistics Interface Platform) by the government also supports digital documentation. However, ensure that your e-LR system creates records that are legally admissible under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Carriage by Road Act, 2007.