What term identifies the number used to identify the freight being picked up from the shipper and delivered to the receiver?

• A. Load PO# or Pickup Number
• B. Bill of Lading Number
• C. Shipment Reference
• D. Freight Identifier

Answer: (A)

Tracking a shipment relies on a single, consistent reference that stays with the load from pickup through delivery. The Load PO# or Pickup Number is that operational identifier. It’s created when the load is set up, and dispatchers, drivers, and receivers use it to pull up all details, coordinate pickup, and confirm delivery. It stays with the freight as it moves, making it the primary way to identify the specific shipment during the entire process.

The Bill of Lading number, while important, is the formal contract of carriage and the document that travels with the freight for liability and invoicing. It identifies the shipment for legal purposes rather than serving as the day-to-day pickup reference. A Shipment Reference can exist, but it varies by company and isn’t as universally reliable for tracking a specific load as the pickup number. The term Freight Identifier is vague and not a standard, universal identifier in most freight workflows.