A transportation company engaged in the business of carriage, or of keeping for shipment, or of forwarding things or property, must not give a receipt or bill of lading for the things or property for carriage, or for keeping for shipment, or for forwarding unless such things or property have been actually delivered to said company, or placed in its control; and a second receipt or bill of lading must not be issued or given, the original being outstanding, without writing across the face thereof the word "duplicate."
Ala. Code § 37-2-22 (1975)