Operations
POD (Proof of Delivery)
POD is the signed document proving freight was delivered. It's the trigger for invoicing and the basis of OS&D claims.
Proof of Delivery is the receiver's signed acknowledgment that they got the freight. It can be a paper signed BOL, a tablet capture, or an EDI 214 status with a 'D1' delivery code.
POD is the invoicing trigger — without a clean POD, factors won't advance, and customers won't pay. POD also starts the clock on OS&D (overage, shortage, damage) claims; most contracts give the receiver 24-72 hours to note exceptions on the POD itself.
Best practice: dispatch and accounting both watch POD status, and the driver app uploads imaged PODs at the dock to compress days off DSO.
Run compliance & dispatch in one place
Hayes combines a DOT-aware ATS, dispatch, EDI, and document compliance — built for carriers who don't want five logins.
Related terms
Operations
BOL (Bill of Lading)
A BOL is the legal contract and receipt issued by a carrier to a shipper, describing the freight being transported.
Technology
EDI 214 (Shipment Status Message)
EDI 214 is the X12 transaction set carriers use to send shipment status updates — pickup, in-transit, delivered — back to shippers.
Finance
Factoring (Freight)
Factoring is selling your accounts receivable to a third party for immediate cash, typically at a 1-4% discount.