Documents for shipping

Vancouver’s leader in trucking and warehousing dives into the 5 documents that you will need to move your goods smoothly from A to B!

Whether you’re a business owner or a professional in the logistics industry, the complicated process revolving around shipping documentation is never far from you. For goods to move smoothly from A to B, all forms, documentation, and reports must be in order. Let’s dive into the five most important documents that you will need before your pallets get on their way.

1. Bill of Lading

The Bill of Lading, BOL, is one of the most important documents that will accompany your freight and acts as a contract between the shipper and the freight carrier. It also serves as a receipt for goods that you are shipping. In the event that goods are damaged during transit, a copy of the BOL signed by the carrier will be needed as proof of carrier liability.

The BOL should also include detailed information such as:

• Weight
• Value
• Description of all items in the shipment
• Information on where the freight will be collected
• Destination of where the shipment is to be transported
• Special handling instructions of the freight

2. Freight Bill

A freight bill may seem to be similar to the BOL at first glance, but both documents serve very different purposes during transportation. Unlike the BOL, which is used more as evidence in disputes, the freight bill details the total shipping charges and other more detailed information. It serves as a document that is similar to an invoice.

The freight bills will list additional information for accessories and their charges such as:

• Liftgate
• Threshold delivery
• Handling requirements (protection from cold or refrigeration)

3. Customs Invoice

A customs invoice is an important and mandatory document for international or cross-border shipments. It is used to declare the value of goods on shipment in order to clear customs. This document can also serve another purpose including an estimation of the goods sent before shipment. The Canada Customs Invoice can be found here.

4. Proof of Delivery

A proof of delivery, POD, is a document that is signed by the consignee once the shipment has been received. The POD may sometimes be in the form of a documentation process via the carrier’s delivery receipt or a signature on the BOL or freight bill as a confirmation of delivery.

The POD, regardless of the form, plays an important role in providing proof that a shipment has been successfully delivered and also serves as evidence for any future claims. The consignee should note any visible loss or damage to the shipment at the time of signing.

5. Certificate of Origin

When shipping from or to Canada, the certificate of origin details where the shipment originated from. It’s also used when determining and collecting duties to be in compliance with NAFTA regulations.

Keeping your documents in order may seem like a tedious process, but it plays an extremely important role in keeping your shipments flowing smoothly. As we enter the start of the peak shipping season, having experienced partners working for you can help you stay logistically on track and also avoid costly mishaps before they happen. 

Whether it’s LTL, FTL, or bonded sufferance warehousing, our team at Sandhar Trucking is committed to delivering above and beyond customer service in BC, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec.  We strive to continually innovate and stay on top of the latest changes and trends in the shipping, trucking, and warehousing industry and pride ourselves on being able to provide our clients with a seamless flow of transport. 
Have one of Vancouver’s leading trucking companies working for you! Contact us today to learn more at (604)-276-9044 or info@sandhartrucking.com. We are here to help.