Bill of Lading (BOL): A bill of lading (BOL) is the document that lists the freight, quantity and parties involved, and serves as the receipt for the goods and a record of the shipping agreement.
Why it matters to owner operators
Check the BOL at pickup for piece count, weight and condition, and note any damage before you leave. A clean, signed BOL protects you if a claim comes up later.
Example
At pickup the driver counts the pallets, compares them with the BOL, and gets it signed. At delivery the receiver signs the same BOL.
Related terms
Business & Finance: Questions about invoicing, fees or getting paid on time? Our dispatch team handles invoicing and broker follow-up for the carriers we work with. Talk to our dispatch team or browse the full trucking glossary.
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