Bill of Lading (BOL)
Logistics Term
Bill of Lading (BOL) Definition
A bill of lading is a legal document that acts as the receipt of the transported cargo. It serves as the agreement for your load. At the pickup point, a BOL should be signed by both the shipper and carrier after they’ve inspected the load. The shipper’s responsibility is to read and understand the terms and conditions on the BOL form before signing it. If there’s a clause you don’t understand or disagree with, ask the carrier before signing.
Bill of Lading - What To Know
Some of the details on the BOL form if you’re transporting a car, for example, include year, make, model, color, mileage, VIN, address of pickup and drop off location, invoice, city and state, and driver’s name, among others. Upon arrival, the driver must inspect the freight and update the BOL to ensure everything was delivered in the same condition. If there is a discrepancy, contact the shipper to take appropriate action and do not sign the bill of lading. Once you sign the BOL form, the carrier will issue you a copy that should keep you safe.
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