Bill of lading: what must be on it before you sign

What the rule requires on the paper

The mover's legal name, address, and USDOT number. The name on the truck should match. If it does not, ask who actually owns the shipment right now.

The estimate: binding or non-binding, the amount, and the method of payment they will accept at delivery. This is where the 110% rule gets its base number.

Valuation. Released value at 60 cents per pound per article, or full value protection and the amount you declared. If the box is blank, you did not pick anything and you will not like the default they choose later.

The agreed pickup date or window, the agreed delivery date or window, and the actual date they picked up. A delivery window that says nothing is not a window.

The rule runs to 17 items. Ask for a copy with every one filled in. You are entitled to a copy of the bill of lading before the truck leaves.

Do not sign a blank one

A bill of lading with the weight, the charges, or the delivery date left blank is a promise you have not read. Sign the inventory as a receipt of items, not as agreement to a total that is not there yet.

Write exceptions on the inventory before the truck leaves. Scratched dresser, missing box 14. The claim later stands on that sheet.

Canada and the UK

No federal bill-of-lading rule for household goods in Canada. Ontario's hiring-a-mover page still says get the contract in writing with the dates and the price. The UK has no national remover licence; your contract is the quote and the terms you accepted.