Proof of delivery
Delivery paperwork showing the receiver accepted the freight, often needed for billing.
Written and reviewed by LaneMath Editorial Team, with carrier workflow review from Dale Morrow where practical dispatch, paperwork, or lane-planning context is involved. Updated 2026-06-29. LaneMath pages use public references, example-only math, and conservative editorial review.
Carrier note
Use this term in context with the rate confirmation, broker communication, facility instructions, and billing paperwork. A short definition is useful, but the written load terms control the actual freight decision.
Carrier example
The driver confirms the POD is signed and notes shortages or exceptions before leaving the receiver.
Common mistake
Leaving the receiver with incomplete delivery paperwork and trying to fix it after billing starts.
Paperwork note
Store POD with the BOL, rate confirmation, invoice, receipts, and accessorial approvals.
Why POD quality affects payment
Proof of delivery shows that the shipment reached the receiver and records the delivery acknowledgment required by the load. Brokers may reject an image that is cropped, unreadable, missing a signature, or detached from the load number.
Review the document before leaving the receiver. Capture every page, keep any exception or shortage notation visible, and send the POD through the billing method named in the confirmation. The original or a reliable digital copy should remain in the load file.
A clean POD is more than a signature
Depending on the shipment, the proof of delivery may include delivery date and time, printed receiver name, signature, piece count, exception notes, seal information, and multiple pages. The broker's billing instructions determine which elements and file format are required.
If freight is short, damaged, rejected, or rescheduled, the notation should follow the carrier's established process rather than being added casually. Preserve the document exactly as completed and notify the appropriate load contact while the event can still be verified.
Questions to ask in context
- Is every page readable and connected to the correct load number?
- Are signatures, delivery time, and exceptions visible?
- Has the POD been submitted through the broker's required billing channel?
References and methodology
- Rate confirmation educational reference - LaneMath Editorial Desk. Used here for: Educational discussion of rate confirmation review, revised confirmations, written approval, and document connections.Used for document literacy. It is not legal advice and does not replace professional review. Last checked 2026-06-29.
- Industry terminology and editorial explanation - LaneMath Editorial Desk. Used here for: Plain-English definitions, checklists, and example-only calculations.Editorial explanations are not official guidance, legal advice, or market data. Last checked 2026-06-29.