What is a bill-of-lading (BOL or B/L)?
A BOL, or Bill of Lading, is one of the most important documents in shipping. It serves as a legally binding contract between the shipper, carrier, and receiver that outlines the details of the shipment method, path, and goods. Additionally, it acts as a receipt and provides proof of ownership, ensuring accountability during the entire logistics process.
To access your signed BOL from the Mothership dashboard, follow these steps:
Log in to your Mothership dashboard.
Locate the relevant shipment using the search option.
Navigate to the shipment’s "Documents" or "Paperwork" section.
Download the BOL.
Note: BOLs from both active and completed shipments can be found in this location.
Ensuring External Paperwork like a BOL is Signed at Pickup
In cases where your shipment was not booked with the CFS (Carrier-Facilitated Shipping) accessorial, Mothership cannot guarantee the handling of external paperwork like the BOL. Here’s how you can ensure proper documentation:
Add the CFS Accessorial:
This option (with an associated fee) enables Mothership to coordinate with carriers so that necessary documentation is signed at pickup.
Upload Documents Electronically:
Upload the required BOL or external paperwork to the shipment in the Mothership dashboard by contacting and sending to Support.
Once a carrier is allocated, Mothership Support will ensure the documentation reaches the carrier electronically.