Title 46ShippingRelease 119-73

§30704 Loading, stowage, custody, care, and delivery

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle III— - Maritime Liability › Chapter CHAPTER 307— - LIABILITY OF WATER CARRIERS › § 30704

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §30704

Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

A carrier may not insert in a bill of lading or shipping document a provision avoiding its liability for loss or damage arising from negligence or fault in loading, stowage, custody, care, or proper delivery. Any such provision is void.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 3070446 App.:190.Feb. 13, 1893, ch. 105, § 1, 27 Stat. 445. The words “transporting merchandise or property from or between ports of the United States and foreign ports” are omitted because of section 30702(a) of the revised title. The words “may not” are substituted for “It shall not be lawful . . . to”, and the word “provision” is substituted for “clause, covenant, or agreement”, to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “any and all lawful” and “committed to its or their charge” are omitted as unnecessary. The words “Any such provision is void” are substituted for “Any and all words or clauses of such import inserted in bills of lading or shipping receipts shall be null and void and of no effect” to eliminate unnecessary words.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 30704

Title 46Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73