Bill of Lading Info
Your Official Contract of Carriage
Definition: The Bill of Lading (BOL) is the single most important document in your move. It serves as the receipt for your goods, the evidence of title to the property, and the legally binding contract between you (the Shipper) and Next Phase Moving (the Carrier) for the transportation of your household goods.
Pursuant to 49 CFR 375.501, every motor carrier engaged in the transportation of household goods must issue a Bill of Lading for each shipment transported.
2. Issuance & Signing
Timing: The Carrier must issue the Bill of Lading at or before the time the household goods are loaded onto the vehicle.
Review Requirement: The Carrier is required to provide you with the opportunity to review the Bill of Lading before signing. Do not simply sign where indicated without verifying the data.
Binding Nature: Once signed by both parties, the Bill of Lading supersedes all prior agreements, including the Order for Service, regarding the terms of transportation.
3. Essential Information
Under federal regulations, the Bill of Lading must contain at least 14 specific items of information, including but not limited to:
- The Carrier's name, address, USDOT number, and MC number.
- The name, address, and telephone number of the Shipper.
- The agreed-upon pickup and delivery dates (or windows of time).
- The specific method of payment required at delivery (e.g., Credit Card, Cashier's Check).
- The maximum amount required to be paid at the time of delivery to obtain possession of the shipment.
- Evidence of any insurance coverage sold to or procured for the Shipper.
4. Valuation Declaration
The Bill of Lading serves as the final confirmation of your chosen liability coverage. It must include a distinct section where you either:
1. Declare a Value: A lump sum value for Full Value Protection (FVP), which determines the Carrier's maximum liability.
2. Release Liability: A signature indicating you select Released Value Protection (60 cents per pound per article) at no additional cost.
Crucial: If you do not select a valuation option, the Carrier may default to Full Value Protection based on a minimum weight calculation (typically $6.00 per pound of weight) and charge you accordingly.
5. The Inventory
The Descriptive Inventory is an attachment to the Bill of Lading. It lists every item loaded onto the truck and its condition at the time of loading.
Your Responsibility: You must ensure that every item you intend to ship is listed on the inventory. If a claim arises for a missing item, the inventory is the primary evidence used to determine if the Carrier ever took possession of that item.
Condition Codes: The inventory uses codes (e.g., "SC" for Scratched, "CH" for Chipped) to note pre-existing damage. You have the right to challenge these codes before signing the inventory at origin.
6. Weighing Procedures
For non-binding estimates, the final cost is determined by weight. The Bill of Lading must include the Tare Weight (weight of the truck before loading) and the Gross Weight (weight of the truck after loading).
You have the right to observe the weighing of the vehicle. If you cannot be present, you may request copies of the official weight tickets obtained from a certified weigh station. The difference between Gross and Tare is the Net Weight of your shipment.
7. Terms & Conditions
The back of the Bill of Lading contains the Contract Terms and Conditions. These standard industry terms outline:
- The Carrier's limitations of liability for items packed by the owner ("PBO").
- Exceptions for "Acts of God" or "Force Majeure" events.
- The time limits for filing claims (9 months from delivery) and filing lawsuits (2 years from claim denial).
- Provisions regarding the Carrier's lien on the property for unpaid charges.
By signing the front of the Bill of Lading, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.
End of Document
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