Bill of Lading Review Checklist

Match the shipper block on the BOL against the rate confirmation and the pickup number. Watch for warehouses that use a different ship-from address than the billing entity — a wrong dock address routes the driver to a closed gate at 0500.

Verify the consignee address and the receiving window noted on the BOL. Appointment-only receivers and Saturday-closed DCs are the most common reasons a load misses its delivery date — flag mismatches to dispatch before the truck rolls.

The carrier name on the BOL must match the entity holding the MC operating authority and the COI on file. A BOL listing a DBA or sister company that isn't named on the COI exposes the load to a cargo-claim denial.

Cross-check the four-letter SCAC against the NMFTA directory and confirm the USDOT number is active on the FMCSA SAFER snapshot. Shippers with EDI tendering will reject loads where the SCAC doesn't match the routing guide.

The driver signs at pickup, not at the desk. A pre-signed BOL destroys the Carmack defense — the carrier loses the ability to note exceptions (shortages, damaged pallets, seal broken) at the dock.

For LTL, confirm the NMFC item number and freight class match the commodity. Misclassified freight (class 70 declared on density-based class 125 cargo) triggers a reweigh/reclass charge that hits the shipper's invoice 7-14 days later.

Confirm total weight plus tractor/trailer tare stays under 80,000 lb gross and within bridge-formula axle limits. Loads over 44,000 lb on the trailer tandems will scale heavy at the first CAT scale — flag for axle sliding or pickup-time reload.

Per 49 CFR 172.202, each hazmat line must include UN/NA number, proper shipping name, hazard class, and packing group in the prescribed sequence. Reject any line missing the basic description — the driver will be placed out of service at the first inspection.

49 CFR 172.602 requires a 24/7-monitored emergency response phone number on the shipping paper. CHEMTREC (1-800-424-9300) is the standard; verify the shipper's account number is also referenced if they self-register.

Pull the driver's qualification file and confirm the CDL hazmat endorsement (H or X) is current and TSA security threat assessment has not expired. Booking a placardable load to a non-endorsed driver is an immediate OOS at any roadside inspection.

BOL must show the set point in degrees F, continuous vs. cycle-sentry mode, and the tolerance range. Frozen loads at -10°F vs. cooler loads at 34°F are common confusion points; missing instructions are the leading cause of FSMA-related rejections.

Run the bill-to party through your credit check or factoring company (RTS, OTR, Apex). Third-party BOLs are the most common source of 60+ day AR — confirm credit limit and remit-to address before the truck loads.

Reconcile the BOL charges against the rate confirmation: line haul, FSC (DOE index basis), and any contracted minimums. A common error is FSC calculated on the prior week's DOE number instead of the rate-con effective week.

List lumper, driver assist, layover, TONU, and detention rates with their free-time thresholds (typically 2 hours at pickup and delivery). Accessorials missing from the BOL are functionally unbillable when the customer disputes.

Confirm the commercial invoice, certificate of origin (USMCA where applicable), PARS/PAPS sticker for Canada, or pedimento for Mexico are in the driver's packet. Missing PARS at the Ambassador Bridge means a multi-hour secondary inspection.