BOL
Business & Finance abbreviation · Logistics, Supply Chain & Trade
| Stands for | Bill of lading |
|---|---|
| Categories | Business & Finance |
BOL stands for Bill of lading, a logistics, supply chain & trade abbreviation.
Document issued by a carrier to a shipper that serves as a receipt for the goods, evidence of the contract of carriage and, in ocean shipping, a document of title that can be transferred to pass ownership of the cargo.
Example: The driver signed the BOL noting two damaged cartons.
Usage notes
Also written B/L or BL. A negotiable "to order" ocean bill must be surrendered to collect the cargo, which is why letters of credit depend on it, while a "straight" bill names a specific consignee. Carrier liability is governed by international regimes such as the Hague-Visby Rules. In US trucking, a straight BOL travels with the freight and the signed copy becomes proof of delivery.
Related abbreviations
More logistics, supply chain & trade abbreviations
- AS/RS – Automated storage and retrieval system
- ASN – Advance shipping notice
- ATA Carnet – ATA Carnet
- AWB – Air waybill
- BAF – Bunker adjustment factor
- BCO – Beneficial cargo owner
- BOM – Bill of materials
- C-TPAT – Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism
- CBM – Cubic meter (freight)
- CFR – Cost and Freight
- CFS – Container freight station
- CHB – Customs house broker