Bill of Lading (BOL)
A bill of lading is the legal contract between the moving company and the customer that describes the goods being moved, the agreed price, and the terms of service.
Federal regulations require interstate movers to issue a bill of lading for every move. The BOL serves three purposes: it is a receipt for the goods picked up, a contract for transport, and the document the customer signs to authorize the move. Customers should review the BOL carefully before signing — it includes the agreed pricing structure (binding, non-binding, hourly), valuation coverage selected, pickup and delivery addresses, and any special instructions.
The BOL is the single most important document of any move. If a dispute arises, the BOL is what regulators and arbitrators reference.
Related Terms
Inventory Sheet
An inventory sheet is a numbered, itemized list of every item the moving company picks up, including its condition at pickup, used as the reference for loss-and-damage claims after the move.
Binding Estimate
A binding estimate is a written quote from a moving company that locks in the price for the move, regardless of how long the move takes or how much it weighs.
Non-Binding Estimate
A non-binding estimate is a written quote that represents the mover's best projection of the cost, but the final price is determined by actual hours worked (for local moves) or actual shipment weight (for long-distance moves).
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