---
title: "Bill of lading (BOL)"
url: https://carrierkyc.com/glossary/bill-of-lading
description: "A bill of lading (BOL) is the shipping document a carrier issues when it receives freight, recording the shipper, consignee, origin, destination and a description of what was loaded."
---

# Bill of lading (BOL)

**Definition:** A bill of lading (BOL) is the shipping document a carrier issues when it receives freight, recording the shipper, consignee, origin, destination and a description of what was loaded.

Also called: BOL, B/L. Category: FMCSA & freight.

Federal rules require for-hire motor carriers to issue a receipt or bill of lading listing the consignor and consignee, origin and destination, number of packages, a description of the freight, and weight or volume where it affects the rate (49 CFR 373.101). The delivery copy, signed by the receiver, usually becomes the [proof of delivery](https://carrierkyc.com/glossary/proof-of-delivery).

For a factor, the BOL ties the invoice to a physical shipment and to a specific carrier. Check that the carrier name and USDOT or MC on it match your client, that the pickup date and piece count agree with the [rate confirmation](https://carrierkyc.com/glossary/rate-confirmation), and that the shipper signed it.

> **Red flag: Red flags** A different carrier's name on the BOL, a classic sign of [double brokering](https://carrierkyc.com/glossary/double-brokering). Fields with mismatched fonts, alignment or resolution. A BOL number that already appeared on an earlier invoice. A pickup date before the rate con was issued.

See [fake rate confirmations, BOLs and PODs](https://carrierkyc.com/guides/fake-rate-confirmations-bols-pods) for how factors catch altered documents.

## Related

- [Proof of delivery (POD)](https://carrierkyc.com/glossary/proof-of-delivery)
- [Rate confirmation](https://carrierkyc.com/glossary/rate-confirmation)
- [Double brokering](https://carrierkyc.com/glossary/double-brokering)
- [Fake rate confirmations, BOLs and PODs: how factors catch them](https://carrierkyc.com/guides/fake-rate-confirmations-bols-pods)
- [Schedule of accounts](https://carrierkyc.com/glossary/schedule-of-accounts)

## Sources

- [49 CFR 373.101: Motor carrier bills of lading](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-373.101) (eCFR)