The goods shipped are described in a paper called a "bill of lading."
A bill of lading is a written contract, or statement of the goods shipped, their condition, and the time of shipment.
Bills of lading and receipt blanks are furnished at the offices of the transportation companies.
Two copies of the bill of lading should be made out. One of these is signed by the consignor and the other by the transportation agent.
The copy signed by the consignor is kept by the agent, and the copy signed by the agent is retained by the consignor, as a voucher for the goods shipped.
This receipt should be mailed to the consignee.
When the consignee gets this bill of lading, it is a voucher to the freight agent, where the goods are to be delivered, as to the ownership.
It is usual for the agent at the point of shipment to send a copy of the bill of lading to the agent where the goods are received. In this way he can compare the consignment with the consignee's bill.
EXPENSE BILLS
It is not usual to pay freight bills at the point of shipment, that being left till the goods reach their destination.