An electronic notification sent from the shipper to the receiving party before a shipment arrives, detailing what's coming, how it's packed, and when to expect it - enabling the receiver to plan labor, dock space, and put-away.

A legal transport document issued by the carrier or shipper that details the type, quantity, and destination of freight - serving simultaneously as a receipt, a contract of carriage, and a document of title.

A document issued by a carrier's insurance provider confirming that the carrier holds active liability coverage - typically including auto liability, cargo insurance, and general liability - at or above the shipper's required minimums.

A customs-required document for international shipments that declares the value, origin, and classification of goods being exported or imported - used by customs authorities to assess duties, taxes, and trade compliance.

The collection of documents and regulatory procedures required to move freight across international borders - including commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and customs declarations - that must be completed before goods are released by the importing country's authorities.

A device installed in a commercial motor vehicle that automatically records the driver's driving time and hours of service status by connecting to the vehicle's engine - replacing paper logbooks and mandated by the FMCSA for most interstate carriers since 2019.

Adherence to the safety and operating regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - including carrier authority, insurance minimums, driver qualification, vehicle maintenance, hours of service, and drug/alcohol testing requirements - that govern every for-hire motor carrier in the United States.

A landmark U.S. federal law - signed in 2011 and enforced by the FDA - that shifted food safety regulation from reactive response to preventive controls, with specific rules governing the sanitary transportation of food that directly affect how shippers, carriers, and warehouses handle temperature-sensitive freight.

A bill from a carrier or broker to the shipper for transportation services rendered - detailing the base freight charges, accessorial fees, and any adjustments for a specific shipment or group of shipments.

Regulatory paperwork required by the DOT and IATA for shipping hazardous materials - including proper shipping names, UN identification numbers, hazard classes, packing group designations, and emergency response information - that must accompany the freight and be referenced on the bill of lading.

Federal regulations administered by the FMCSA that limit how many hours a commercial motor vehicle driver can operate before mandatory rest - designed to prevent fatigue-related accidents and enforced through electronic logging devices.

A bill of lading issued by the main carrier that covers an entire consolidated shipment - grouping multiple individual shipments (each with their own house bill of lading) under a single transport document for the carrier's line-haul movement.

A document included with a shipment that itemizes the contents of each package or pallet - listing SKUs, descriptions, quantities, and weights - without showing pricing information.

A document - physical or electronic - signed by the consignee at delivery confirming the shipment was received and noting its condition, serving as the carrier's proof that the delivery obligation was fulfilled.

An instruction from the shipper or order owner authorizing a warehouse or 3PL to release specific inventory for shipment, specifying what to pick, how to pack it, and where to send it.

A label affixed to a package or pallet that identifies the shipment with essential routing information - including origin, destination, carrier, tracking barcode, and weight - enabling carriers and facilities to sort, route, and deliver freight correctly.

A non-negotiable bill of lading that consigns freight to a specific named party - meaning only the designated consignee can receive the shipment and the BOL cannot be transferred, sold, or used as a financial instrument to redirect the goods in transit.