Bill of lading
Also called BOL
A bill of lading is the document issued at pickup that describes the freight being carried and serves as the contract of carriage, the receipt for the goods, and the document of title.
Last reviewed · by the fleetchart dispatch desk
The BOL is created at the shipper and travels with the load. It lists the consignor and consignee, a description and count of the freight, and any special handling instructions. The driver signs it at pickup and the receiver signs it at delivery.
It does three jobs at once: it is evidence that a contract of carriage exists, it is the receipt proving the carrier took possession, and in many cases it is the document of title to the goods themselves.
A clean BOL — signed without exceptions noted — is what protects you against a later damage claim. A BOL marked with an exception at delivery is the beginning of a claim, so drivers are trained to read what they sign.