The BOL records what was tendered: shipper and consignee, piece and pallet count, weight, description and NMFC class for LTL, special instructions, and any freight-charge terms (prepaid, collect, or third-party).
A “straight” BOL is non-negotiable — the freight is delivered to the named consignee and title does not move with the document. A negotiable (“order”) BOL is a title document; whoever holds the original endorsed copy controls the goods, which matters in letter-of-credit and international trade.
The BOL signed at delivery, with any exception noted, becomes the proof of delivery and the starting point for any claim.
Example
At pickup, the shipper hands the driver a straight BOL for 18 pallets, 22,400 pounds, prepaid, with a note that the consignee requires an appointment. The driver checks the count, signs, and keeps a copy. At delivery the receiver signs the same BOL noting two pallets shrink-wrap torn — that annotation is now the record for any damage claim.
Why it matters
The BOL is the anchor document for the whole load. Count discrepancies, class disputes, freight-charge terms, and claims all trace back to what it says and how it was signed.
In Trailflow, this shows up in document capture.