Bills of lading
A bill of lading is a legal contract between the shipper and the carrier for the carriage of the freight, and while that may sound complicated, it is actually pretty simple.
What a bill of lading is
You can think of a bill of lading as a one page description of this particular shipment: where it is coming from and going to, what it is, and what services are required.
Why every shipment needs one
A carrier will not pick up freight that does not have a bill of lading. Please also note that you are required to use the bill of lading that FreightSimple provides.
FreightSimple fills it out for you
Once you book a shipment on FreightSimple, you will find a bill of lading created for you. These can be complicated to fill out, but FreightSimple perfectly completes the document based on the shipment information you have entered.
Using your bill of lading
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Print and sign a copy
Have the shipper print and sign a copy to give to the driver. If you entered their email, they will have been emailed a copy as well.
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Attach a copy to each piece of freight
Do not fold the bill of lading when attaching it to the freight, it should be easily visible. Also ensure it is attached well to each piece of freight. If it falls off, your shipment loses its identity and may be delayed or lost in transit.
