Shipping accuracy and compliance are essential for any growing apparel brand. Whether you’re shipping to department stores, boutiques, or online retailers, your shipment needs to be backed by a clear and standardized Bill of Lading (BOL). That’s why AIMS360 includes a built-in VICS-compliant BOL feature—designed specifically for the fashion industry.

What Is a Bill of Lading (BOL) and Why It Matters in Fashion

A Bill of Lading is a legally required document that details the contents, origin, and destination of a shipment. It serves as both a receipt and a contract between the shipper and carrier. For apparel brands, especially those working with wholesale and retail accounts, a BOL is critical for ensuring smooth deliveries, avoiding chargebacks, and meeting retailer compliance.

When Do You Need a VICS Bill of Lading?

The VICS Bill of Lading (VICS BOL) is typically required when shipping goods to large retailers, especially in the general merchandise and apparel sectors. If you’re supplying to department stores, national chains, or retailers who rely on third-party logistics (3PL), they will often request a VICS BOL—even if they don’t require EDI. It’s a way for them to streamline receiving, reduce errors, and maintain standardized inbound processes.

You’ll likely need a VICS BOL if:

• You’re shipping to major department stores (e.g., Macy’s, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s)
• The retailer specifies a standardized BOL format in their routing guide
• You want to proactively reduce chargebacks and improve shipping compliance
• You’re not using EDI but still need to meet structured shipping documentation requirements

AIMS360 Uses the VICS Bill of Lading (VICS BOL)

The VICS Bill of Lading is a standardized shipping form adopted by the retail industry. Developed by the Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Solutions Association, the VICS BOL includes common fields retailers expect—like SID, CID, SCAC codes, Pro Number, and load IDs—so everyone across the supply chain is on the same page.

AIMS360’s ERP includes native VICS BOL functionality, giving fashion brands a powerful tool to meet retailer expectations with ease.

How It Works in AIMS360

From the Pick Ticket module in AIMS360, you can:

• Generate a VICS-compliant Bill of Lading for non-EDI orders
• Input shipment details such as Pro Number, Load ID, Trailer and Seal Numbers
• Add handling units, pallet/carton information, and weights
• Specify third-party freight billing, SID/CID numbers, and special instructions
• Preview, export, and print your BOL with one click

All of this happens within the AIMS360 platform—no external templates, no double data entry.

Designed for Fashion Logistics

Unlike generic ERPs, AIMS360 is built for fashion logistics. Our apparel bill of lading tools are integrated into your shipping workflow, giving you:

• Faster shipping with fewer manual steps
• Full visibility over carton and pallet-level details
• Standardized documentation that reduces retailer rejections

Whether you’re handling a few dozen orders a week or thousands, our fashion BOL tools are scalable, efficient, and retail-ready.

Why Apparel Brands Rely on AIMS360

Thousands of fashion brands trust AIMS360 for their inventory, order, and shipping management. Our integrated VICS BOL feature is a key reason they stay compliant, reduce logistics errors, and keep retail partners satisfied.

Combined with our pick tickets, Scan & Pack, and warehouse tools, AIMS360 is the most complete ERP for fashion supply chains.

Looking for the best apparel software with built-in Bill of Lading creation?

👉 Schedule a demo and see how AIMS360 helps you ship faster and smarter.

‍