{"id":30218,"date":"2020-06-06T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-06T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/test.tranistics.com\/nvision\/2020\/06\/06\/beware-bill-of-lading-problems-that-could-lead-to-invoicing-discrepancies\/"},"modified":"2020-06-06T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2020-06-06T00:00:00","slug":"beware-bill-of-lading-problems-that-could-lead-to-invoicing-discrepancies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/test.tranistics.com\/nvision\/2020\/06\/06\/beware-bill-of-lading-problems-that-could-lead-to-invoicing-discrepancies\/","title":{"rendered":"Bill of Lading Problems That Could Lead to Invoicing Discrepancies"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to determining the shipping rate for a particular load, many factors come into immediate consideration. While mileage and carrier fees set the tone for the nature of the rate, ultimately, the Bill of Lading (BOL) will have the biggest impact on the cost of goods transport. Unfortunately, this is the source of major discrepancies in invoicing and payments as well. Logging incorrect information on a BOL taints the process right from the get-go, causing confusion and headaches for shippers down the line.<\/p>\n

Why is the BOL So Important?<\/h2>\n

The BOL is perhaps the single most important document in a shipping transaction. Not only is it a legally binding document, but it also details shipment information in a way that\u2019s transparent to both the shipper and carrier. Every transaction starts and ends with the BOL. If there\u2019s ever a discrepancy or disagreement, the BOL is the standard by which we judge the outcome. Needless to say, it had better be correct!<\/p>\n

Information contained within the BOL serves three specific purposes:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Evidence of a shipping contract<\/li>\n
  2. Receipt of goods<\/li>\n
  3. Title to the goods<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    It\u2019s signed by the shipper, driver, and recipient, representing the chain of custody from start to finish. If the information on the BOL is wrong, it can cause problems at each of these exchanges and beyond.<\/p>\n

    Common BOL Problems<\/h2>\n

    Despite its status as an all-important shipping document, BOLs are still subject to human error. Mislabeling the date of pickup, misplacing a decimal point on the weight of the package, designating the wrong freight class, etc. these issues all end up coming to fruition at some point in the transactional process and, more often than not, come with additional costs. Little errors add up. Here\u2019s a look at some of the common BOL problems that\u2019ll cost you money:<\/p>\n