Proof of Delivery (POD) is the document a transporter or driver collects from the consignee confirming that goods have been received. It usually carries a signature, a company stamp, the received quantity and the date of delivery.
A shipment marked "Delivered" is not the same as a shipment that is closed. Closure happens once the POD is collected, reviewed and matched back to the invoice — confirming there is no shortage, damage or documentation issue.
Because PODs are often paper documents collected by drivers, they can be delayed, illegible or incomplete. That is why many logistics teams now digitize POD capture and review it before treating a shipment as truly complete.