What is POD (Proof of Delivery)?

Proof of Delivery (POD) is a form of delivery receipt that confirms a consignee has received the correct goods. This receipt, or bill of confirmation, is used when a consignee wants to return an item, or file a damage claim. In the most basic form of POD, the delivery driver will collect a signature from the consignee, with the date and time when the recipient received their package.

Key takeaways:

Proof of delivery, or POD, is an acknowledgment that an order successfully arrived at its intended destination.

POD isn’t limited to e-commerce packages or food deliveries.

Proof of delivery comes in two forms: paper and electronic.

POD is a vital part of both the sales process and ensuring the supply chain is working.

The difference between the bill of lading (BOL) and Proof of Delivery (POD):

Proof of delivery and a bill of lading (BOL) have similarities. Both are documents that accompany shipments and deliveries, and both can help protect your business from liability.

The primary difference between the two is that a POD is just a proof-of-delivery receipt that the consignee, or customer, signs after getting their goods, but a bill of lading is a legal document.

A BOL is a contract between the shipper and the carrier. It contains comprehensive information about the shipment, such as delivery details and a description of the items. The document proves the carrier received the items they will deliver.