Bill of lading (BOL)
A bill of lading (BOL) is the legal document that lists the freight, terms, and parties for a shipment - it is the receipt, the contract, and the title to the goods.
The bill of lading (BOL) is the core document of every shipment. It does three jobs: it is a receipt for the freight, a contract of carriage spelling out the terms, and a document of title to the goods. The shipper, carrier, and consignee are all named on it.
Why it matters: the BOL is your proof of what you hauled and the condition it was in. A signed, clean BOL protects you in a freight-claim dispute; noting damage or shortages on it at pickup or delivery is how you avoid being blamed later. It is also the document your broker and factoring company need to pay you – a missing or sloppy BOL delays your money.
Always keep your copies and any accessorial documentation together.