Bill of Lading
Your mover is required by law to prepare a bill of lading for your shipment. The bill of lading is the contract between you and the mover for the transportation of your shipment. This document is issued at least 3 days prior to the pickup date. The information on the bill of lading is required to include all the information and charges associated with the transportation of your shipment. The driver who loads your shipment must give you a copy of the bill of lading before or at the time of loading your shipment. The bill of lading is an important document. Do not lose or misplace your copy. Keep it available until your shipment is delivered, all charges are paid, and all claims, if any, are settled.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO READ THE BILL OF LADING BEFORE YOU ACCEPT IT
The bill of lading requires the mover to provide the service you requested and requires you to pay the charges for the service. It is your responsibility to understand the bill of lading before you sign it. If you do not agree with something on the bill of lading, do not sign it until you are satisfied it is correct. The bill of lading serves to identify the mover and specifies when the transportation is to be performed. Be sure that the portions of the bill of lading that note the dates when pickup and delivery are to be performed are completed and that you agree with the dates on the bill of lading. It also specifies the terms and conditions for payment of the total charges and the maximum amount required to be paid at the time of delivery for shipments moving under a binding estimate. In the case of shipments moving under non-binding estimates, the bill of lading will not include a final calculation of charges because that cannot be determined until the shipment is weighed. However, the bill of lading must contain all relevant shipment information – except the shipment weight that will be determined after the shipment has been weighed and any unforeseen charges that occur in transit or at destination.
The bill of lading must include the following 17 elements:
✔️The legal or trade name (i.e., doing business as name) of the mover as it is registered with FMCSA, to include its physical address.
✔️The names, telephone numbers, addresses, and USDOT Numbers of any motor carriers, when known, who will participate in transportation of the shipment.
✔️Your name, address, and, if available, telephone number(s).
✔️The form of payment the mover and its agents will honor at delivery. The payment information must be the same that was entered on the estimate.
✔️When transportation is on a collect-on- delivery basis, the name, address, and if furnished, the telephone number, facsimile number, or email address of a person to notify about the charges. The notification may also be made by overnight courier or certified mail, return receipt requested.
✔️For non-guaranteed service, the agreed date or period of time for pickup of the shipment and the agreed date or period of time for the delivery of the shipment.
✔️For guaranteed service, subject to tariff provisions, the dates for pickup and delivery, and any penalty or per diem entitlements due to you.
✔️The actual date of pickup.
✔️The company or motor carrier identification number of the vehicle(s) that will transport your shipment.
✔️The terms and conditions for payment of the total charges, including notice of any minimum charges.
✔️The maximum amount your mover will demand at the time of delivery in order for you to obtain possession of the shipment, when you transport under a collect-on- delivery basis.
✔️The valuation statements provided in the Surface Transportation Board (STB)’s released rates order. These statements require individual shippers either to accept Full Value Protection for their liability or to waive the Full Value Protection in favor of the STB’s released rates. The released rates may be increased annually by the motor carrier based on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Cost of Living Adjustment. Contact the STB for a copy of the Released Rates of Motor Carrier Shipments of Household Goods. If the individual shipper waives your Full Value Protection in writing on the STB’s valuation statement, you must include the charges, if any, for optional valuation coverage (other than Full Value Protection).
✔️Evidence of any insurance coverage sold to or procured for the individual shipper from an independent insurer, including the amount of the premium for such insurance.
✔️A complete description of any special or accessorial services ordered and minimum weight or volume charges applicable to the shipment, subject to the following two conditions:
1️⃣If your mover provides service for you on rates based upon the transportation of a minimum weight or volume, your mover must indicate on the bill of lading the minimum weight- or volume-based rates, and the minimum charges applicable to the shipment.
2️⃣If your mover does not indicate the minimum rates and charges, your mover’s tariff must provide information to compute the final charges relating to such a shipment based upon the actual weight or volume of the shipment.
✔️Each attachment to the bill of lading is an integral part of the contract. That includes the binding or non-binding estimate, inventory and any signed waiver documents associated with the shipment.
✔️Any identification or registration number assigned to the shipment.
✔️A statement that the bill of lading incorporates by reference all the services included on the estimate, including any new estimate prepared by the mover.
The bill of lading must be signed and dated by you and your mover at origin and destination.