A bill of lading (B/L) is a legal document that serves as a contract for the shipping and ownership of goods. It outlines the details of the shipment, including the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being carried. The bill of lading also serves as a receipt for the shipped products when the carrier delivers the commodities to a predetermined destination. It does not typically include the country where goods were produced, the description and terms of sale, or the means of payment for import/export of goods.