GBL (Government Bill of Lading)
Definition
The contract document for a government-arranged military move. The GBL authorizes the carrier to transport a service member's household goods at government expense.
A Government Bill of Lading is issued by the Transportation Management Office (TMO) to authorize a military household goods shipment. It functions similarly to a commercial Bill of Lading but with government-specific terms and payment arrangements.
The GBL includes: the service member's name and rank, origin and destination, authorized weight allowance, pickup and delivery dates, and the carrier assigned to the move. The carrier is paid directly by the government through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).
Service members should review their GBL for accuracy, especially the weight allowance and delivery dates. Errors can cause delays or leave you responsible for overweight charges. Report any discrepancies to your TMO immediately.
With the modern Defense Personal Property System (DPS), many of the traditional GBL functions have been digitized, but the document remains the authoritative contract for government moves.