Bill of Lading

The bill of lading is the single most important document in a freight shipment. It serves three roles at once: it is the contract between the shipper and the carrier, the carrier’s receipt confirming what was picked up, and — for certain types — a document of title to the goods.

A complete BOL lists the shipper and consignee, a description of the commodity, its NMFC code and freight class, piece count, weight, declared value, and any special instructions or accessorials. It is created before pickup and signed by the driver when the freight is collected and again by the consignee at delivery.

Because it governs liability, the BOL is the reference point for tracking, invoicing, and any freight claim. An accurate BOL — correct class, weight, and dimensions — is the best defense against reclassification, reweigh charges, and disputes.