A Bill of Lading (BOL) is a legal transport document issued by a carrier (a firm or company that provides transport services) to a shipper (also known as a Consignor (sender of freight or goods to be delivered by any means of transport) acknowledging that specific goods have been received on board as cargo for conveyance to a named place for delivery to a Consignee (a person or entity who is physically and financially responsible for the receipt of goods or cargo).
Usually issued in 3 original copies, the BOL carries the following information;
- The carrier’s name and logo
- Name and address of the shipper(consignor)
- Name and address of the consignee
- Port of loading/origin
- Type of Bill of Lading
- Bill of Lading number
- Container number
- Port of discharge(at destination)
- Vessel Name
- Description of goods or packages
- Place, date and signature of issue of the BOL
- Signature of the carrier