BOL

The Bill of Lading (BOL) is a critical document in logistics and freight management, including Amazon supply chain operations. It’s issued by a carrier (such as a freight or trucking company) and serves three main purposes:

1. Receipt of Goods:
   It confirms the carrier has received the items for shipment from the supplier, including details like quantity, type of goods, and packaging condition.
2. Contract of Carriage:
   The BOL outlines the agreement between the shipper and carrier, specifying responsibilities, delivery terms, and destination.
3. Title of Goods:
   In some cases (especially international or B2B freight), it acts as a document of title, meaning whoever holds the BOL has the legal right to claim the shipment.

For Amazon vendors and 3P sellers using freight forwarding or Direct Fulfillment:

• The BOL is required for all LTL (Less Than Truckload) and FTL (Full Truckload) shipments.
• It’s submitted during Advance Shipment Notification (ASN) creation or handed over to Amazon’s receiving dock.
• It must match exactly with the shipped units, pallet count, and carrier details.

💡 Example: A seller shipping pallets of goods to an Amazon FC via a third-party carrier must present the BOL at delivery, ensuring smooth check-in and reconciliation.

In short: The BOL is a must-have document in Amazon logistics - confirming the shipment, formalizing the transport agreement, and sometimes proving ownership of the goods.