--- title: Bill of Lading Explained: What You Are Signing url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/bill-of-lading-explained/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - The bill of lading, explained # The bill of lading, explained The bill of lading is both the receipt for your shipment and the contract for moving it, and federal rules require 17 items on it for an interstate household goods move. Read it before you accept it, because it binds the mover to the service described and binds you to pay for it. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Of all the papers in a move, this is the one that matters most and gets read least. It arrives on a busy loading morning, and the driver is waiting. Knowing in advance what belongs on it makes the signature a short, confident step. ## What the document does The bill of lading is the receipt for your goods and the written terms of the contract. The mover must prepare and issue it before receiving your shipment, and the driver who loads must give you a copy before or at loading. The FMCSA booklet describes the document as issued at least three days before pickup. After you accept it, the mover is contractually bound to provide the service it describes. For the short definition, see [bill of lading](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/bill-of-lading/) in the glossary. ## What must be on it Of the 17 required items, these are the ones customers most often need to check: - The mover's registered name and address, and the names and U.S. DOT numbers of other carriers who will take part in the move. - Your name, address and telephone number. - The form of payment the mover and its agents will honor at delivery, which must match the estimate. - For collect-on-delivery shipments, a person to notify about the charges. - The agreed date or period for pickup and for delivery, or the fixed dates if you bought the separate dated-delivery service. - The actual date of pickup and the number of the vehicle that loads your goods. - The terms and conditions for payment of the total charges, including the maximum collectable at delivery. ## What to check before you sign Compare the bill of lading line by line with your estimate: the services, the estimate type, the liability level you chose and the payment method. Never sign a blank bill of lading, and sign an incomplete one only where the missing information cannot be known before loading, such as the final weight on a non-binding estimate. If something is wrong, ask the driver to correct it and wait for the corrected copy. ## The inventory is part of the contract The signed inventory is attached to the bill of lading and becomes an integral part of it. Mark every disagreement about an item's condition on the inventory at pickup, and again at delivery. Read the [moving inventory guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-inventory/) for the steps. ## How long to keep it Keep your copy until the shipment is delivered, all charges are paid and any claims are settled. Movers must keep bills of lading and inventories for at least a year, but your copy is the proof you hold. Store it with the inventory and your estimate where you can find all three quickly. Claims for loss or damage must be filed within 9 months of delivery, as covered in the [claim guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-file-a-moving-claim/). ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.505, bill of lading](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375) - [FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2023-10/FMCSA_R%26R_Handbook_Web_v1.pdf) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Bill of lading](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/bill-of-lading/) - [The moving inventory and high-value items form](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-inventory/) - [Your rights and responsibilities when you move (FMCSA)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/your-rights-and-responsibilities/) Moving guides ## Read next - [How to check a mover's USDOT and MC number](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-check-a-movers-usdot-number/) - [Mover vs moving broker: how to tell](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/carrier-vs-broker/) - [How to choose a moving company](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-moving-company/) - [Questions to ask a mover before you book](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/questions-to-ask-movers/) - [How to file a moving damage claim](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-file-a-moving-claim/) - [The moving inventory and high-value items form](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-inventory/) - [Pickup and delivery spreads on long-distance moves](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/delivery-spread-explained/) - [What is storage in transit?](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-is-storage-in-transit/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Is the bill of lading the same as the estimate? No. The estimate is the price quote. The bill of lading is the contract and receipt, and it should match the estimate. ### Who signs it? You and the mover or its driver. Keep your copy and do not sign anything with blank sections. ### Do local moves in Nevada have one? Moves inside Nevada follow an NTA-approved tariff and the paperwork your estimator describes. Ask the office what you will receive. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) E Edward G. September 14, 2025 James and the crew were terrific. N Nicole B. June 25, 2025 The crew worked extremely hard and treated our belongings with care. Customer service was outstanding leading up to, during, and after move. Thank you! C Charles C. May 31, 2025 Great company, I'd highly recommend for any move!!! ### Owner's reply Charles, It was a pleasure working with you on your moves. We hope your trip is amazing and if you ever come back our way, we will be happy to help. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to complete this review on our behalf. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070