What is the difference between a PRO number, BOL number and PO number?

Print this checklist

PRO number

A PRO number is commonly the carrier-assigned tracking identifier for an LTL shipment.

The carrier issues it.

Use it when:

• Tracking directly with the LTL carrier
• Calling a carrier terminal
• Requesting shipment status
• Looking for delivery documents tied to the carrier record

Some carriers also accept BOL or reference numbers for tracking, but the PRO is usually the fastest carrier-side identifier.

BOL number

A BOL number identifies the bill of lading or shipment document created for the move.

It may be generated by:

• The shipper
• A broker or TMS
• A carrier
• A customer shipping system

The BOL number is useful when you are trying to connect the physical freight with its transportation paperwork.

Use the bill of lading checklist before release.

PO number

A PO number identifies the buyer's purchase order.

The buyer or customer issues it.

It belongs to the commercial order, not the carrier's tracking system.

Use it when:

• The receiver asks which order is arriving
• The warehouse is matching freight to an order
• The customer is checking quantities or purchased items

A carrier may store the PO as a shipment reference, but that does not make it the carrier's main tracking number.

Where do I find my PRO number?

A PRO number is usually assigned by the carrier and is commonly used to track LTL freight. Look for it on:

• The carrier's shipping label or sticker
• The BOL or shipping paperwork
• The carrier's online shipment record
• The pickup confirmation
• Your broker's or TMS shipment record
• The carrier's document-retrieval tools

If you only have the BOL number, try the carrier's tracking or document search. Some carriers let you use a BOL or other reference to find the matching PRO. The exact location and format vary by carrier.

Where do I find my BOL number?

Near the top of the bill of lading, or in the shipment record that created it. It may be labelled BOL #, Bill of Lading #, Shipment #, Document # or Reference #. The BOL number identifies the transportation document; it is not automatically the same as the carrier's PRO or the customer's purchase order. If you are filling one in, see how to fill out a bill of lading.

Can I track freight with a BOL number?

Sometimes. Carrier tracking systems accept different references: some accept a BOL or PO, others work best with the carrier's PRO. If the first reference does not find the shipment, keep the carrier name, BOL, PRO, PO, pickup date, origin and destination together so the carrier or broker can match the right load.

Need to find the shipment now? See how to track a freight shipment.

One shipment can have all three

Example:

• PO 48217 — the buyer's order
• BOL 2026-0915-004 — the shipping document
• PRO 123456789 — the LTL carrier's tracking record

They can all point to the same freight from different systems.

Why the wrong number wastes time

If you give a receiving clerk only the PRO number, their purchasing system may not recognize it.

If you give the carrier only the PO number, it may return several records or no record at all.

Match the number to the person you are asking.

What should go in your shipment record?

Keep:

• PRO number
• BOL number
• PO number
• Broker load number
• Carrier name
• Pickup date
• Origin
• Destination

That makes it much easier to cross-reference systems.