Bill of lading vs waybill
Shippers bookmark this page because the two words get used as if they were the same document. They are not. The bill of lading is the contract. The waybill is the carrier's working record.
The difference
| Document | What it is | What you do with it |
|---|---|---|
| Bill of lading (BOL) | The contract of carriage. The shipper prepares it, or accepts the carrier's form, and someone at pickup signs it. | Describe the freight, the docks, and any extra work. Keep the signed copy. |
| Waybill | The carrier's operational record of that same shipment: the reference, the status, the stops, the documents. | Follow the freight in the customer portal. Quote the reference to dispatch. |
People say "send me the waybill" when they mean the reference. People say "the BOL" when they mean the signed contract. Use the precise word when you file a freight claim.
What to put on the BOL
- Shipper and consignee names and docks
- Piece count, skid count, weight, and a plain description of the goods
- Whether a tailgate, appointment, or inside delivery is required
- Any receiving hours or appointment number the consignee gave you
Have the bill of lading at the dock for pickup, on paper or as the file dispatch asked for. If you only have a pickup number, say so on the quote so dispatch can tell you what they need.
What to keep
Keep the signed bill of lading, the delivery receipt or proof of delivery, and the shipment reference. Photos of the freight as it was tendered help if the wrap later becomes the argument. Those four things are the spine of a claim file.
When something goes wrong
Shortage or damage is a freight claim. The how-to is on that page. The binding process is on claims procedure. The bill of lading is evidence. It is not the claim.
Questions shippers ask
What is the difference between a bill of lading and a waybill?
The bill of lading (BOL) is the contract of carriage the shipper signs at pickup. The waybill is the carrier's operational record of that shipment. You follow the freight on the waybill. You build a claim from the BOL and the delivery receipt.
Which document should I keep?
Keep the signed bill of lading, the delivery receipt or proof of delivery, and your shipment reference. Those are what a claim file is built from.
Does the driver need a paper BOL?
Have the bill of lading at the dock for pickup, on paper or as the file dispatch asked for. If you only have a pickup number, say so on the quote so dispatch can tell you what they need.