The contract stating that a carrier has received certain freight and is responsible for its...

According to the CLT “Dispatch and Tracking” competency, theBill of Lading (BOL)is the formal, legal document that establishes a contract of carriage between the shipper and the carrier. It serves three main functions: it is areceiptacknowledging that the carrier has received the described goods, acontractspecifying terms of transport, and in some cases, adocument of titledefining ownership. The BOL details the shipper and consignee, carrier information, number of packages, weight, commodity description, and any handling instructions. When the consignee signs upon receipt, it confirms delivery completion. This document holds legal authority for claims and freight accountability. In contrast, a Packing List is an internal record of contents, and a Receiving Report documents internal receipt activities. The BOL remains the backbone of transportation documentation and proof of carrier responsibility under MSSC’s dispatch and tracking procedures.