Mailing Original BOL

Yes , the original is needed for payment . Just keep a copy .

 

I agree it is about the stupidest thing I have seen with invention of the fax... but they must have the origional.... I would hope that this will go away soon. BTW FMCSA states that they have 15 days to pay the carrier from reciept of confirmed delivery.... now I have called and asked if that same law applies from the broker to the carrier or just the shipper to the broker.... it's a pain in the ### and I am not a bank.....

 

My broker also requires the original. Although since I have a dedicated broker I copy everything and send the originals via tripack once a week.

 

I think you are mistaken, the 15 days to pay is for motor carriers to pay trucks leased to them. Every one want to run under their own authority, yet have the benifits of a leased operator. Do you think the big shippers pay in less than 30 days? The big carriers don't get advances from their shippers?

 

I use my scanner/printer in my truck and attach copies to emails and send them immediately. Some brokers will accept this and some don't. The ONLY reason why I can think they want you to mail them is that it buys them a few more days before they pay as the clock probably starts ticking upon reciept of the originals in the mail.

 

What does your broker- carrier contract say? If it says original, then they have the right to demand the original. If it says facsimile or image thereof, then they do not.

In essence, the function of the BOL is evidence of the fulfillment of duties. I don't know why a payor would settle for anything other than the original. Remember, the BOL is really about the shipper completing their obligation to their receiver or buyer. It is also about the carrier completing their obligation to their payor (broker/shipper), but that is just a part of the larger picture. A clear BOL may mean you getting paid $2000 for completing the move, but it also can mean the manufacturer getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for completing the order.