The History of the Bill of Lading in Transportation Law
The Bill of Lading (BOL) is one of the most important legal documents in transportation. It serves as a contract between the shipper and carrier, a receipt for the goods being transported, and proof of ownership. Origin of the Bill of Lading While today it is a standard part of auto transport, the origins of the Bill of Lading stretch back hundreds of years to the era of maritime trade. Origins in Maritime Trade The Bill of Lading emerged during the expansion of global trade in the Middle Ages. Merchants shipping goods across seas needed a formal record of what was loaded onto a vessel. Early BOLs were handwritten documents given to the shipper, listing cargo details, port of departure, destination, and the condition of the goods. These documents served two main purposes: they confirmed that the shipper had handed over the goods, and they established the carrier’s responsibility for delivering them safely. Legal Recognition and Standardization As international commerc...