§ 101-40.702-2 - Discrepancies in Government bill of lading shipments.

(a) When a shipment is made on a Standard Form 1103, U.S. Govenment Bill of Lading, or on a Standard Form 1203, U.S. Government Bill of Lading-Privately Owned Personal Property, the consignee shall make certain the Government bill of lading number is shown on both the carrier's delivery receipt and the consignee's copy of the delivery receipt. When a shipment is made on a commercial bill of lading to be converted to a Government bill of lading, in which case the Government bill of lading number would not normally be known at the time of delivery, the consignee shall sign the delivery receipt and enter the Government bill of lading number, when it becomes available, on the consignee's copy of the delivery receipt.

(b) When a discrepancy occurs in a shipment made on a Government bill of lading, appropriate notations shall be made on the delivery receipt as required in § 101-40.702-1 and a discrepancy report shall be prepared as required in § 101-40.702-3.

(c) The agency responsible for payment of freight charges, as identified in the “Charges to be billed to” space on the Government bill of lading, is usually also responsible for determining carrier liability (see § 101-40.707-2) and processing claims (see § 101-40.710). The consignee shall forward a discrepancy report and copies of supporting documents; e.g., delivery receipts, photographs, and carrier's inspection reports, to that agency, to the shipper at the address shown on the Government bill of lading, and to any other addresses as may be required by the agency's regulations. In addition, copies of discrepancy reports and supporting documents relating to special categories of property shall be forwarded to appropriate offices as required in § 101-40.702-3 (c), (d), and (e).