Proof of delivery (POD) is documentation that confirms a shipment was delivered to the intended recipient. For parcel carriers, POD typically consists of a timestamped delivery scan record in the carrier’s tracking system, which may include the recipient’s name, signature, and a photo of the delivered package. For LTL and truckload freight, POD is usually a signed copy of the delivery receipt or bill of lading acknowledging receipt of the goods.

Types of Proof of Delivery

Electronic POD (ePOD): Carrier tracking systems record a delivery scan with timestamp, GPS coordinates, and sometimes a driver-captured photo or digital signature. Accessible via carrier website or API.
Signature POD: The recipient signs for the package, and the carrier retains the signature record (digital or paper). Required for high-value shipments or those with signature service selected.
Photo POD: Parcel carriers increasingly capture a photo of the package at the delivery location as confirmation, even without a signature — reducing “delivered but not received” claims.

Proof of Delivery for Claims and Disputes

POD is the primary evidence used to resolve delivery disputes. If a customer claims non-delivery, POD with a delivery scan, address, and (ideally) photo or signature is often sufficient to close the dispute in the shipper’s favor. If the carrier cannot produce POD, the shipper has stronger grounds for a lost package claim.

POD and Invoice Auditing

Proof of delivery data also feeds into freight invoice auditing. Carriers charge for delivery attempts; confirming successful delivery via POD allows shippers to dispute charges for re-delivery attempts that were not actually made. Automated POD retrieval and cross-referencing against carrier invoices is a component of comprehensive freight audit programs.