Bill of Lading
Bill of Lading, a written receipt issued by a transportation company to a shipper. It also serves as an agreement, or contract, between the shipper and the transportation company. In this agreement the shipping company is called the carrier; the shipper is called the consignor; and the party to receive the shipment is the consignee. The bill of lading gives the names and addresses of the consignor and consignee, the carrier's charges, and a description of the goods and the kind of packaging used.
When used only as a receipt and contract, it is called a straight bill of lading. When used with a draft to collect payment for the goods from the consignee, it is called a negotiable, or order, bill of lading.