Title 49TransportationRelease 119-73

§80101 Definitions

Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE X— - MISCELLANEOUS › Chapter CHAPTER 801— - BILLS OF LADING › § 80101

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines key shipping and related words used in the chapter. Consignee: the person listed on a bill of lading to get the goods. Consignor: the person listed on a bill of lading who sent the goods. Goods: merchandise or personal property that is, was, or will be transported. Holder: someone who has a bill of lading and a right to it. Order: an endorsement (a written instruction) on a bill of lading. Purchase: also includes taking by mortgage or pledge. State: any U.S. State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory or possession.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §80101

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In this chapter—
(1)“consignee” means the person named in a bill of lading as the person to whom the goods are to be delivered.
(2)“consignor” means the person named in a bill of lading as the person from whom the goods have been received for shipment.
(3)“goods” means merchandise or personal property that has been, is being, or will be transported.
(4)“holder” means a person having possession of, and a property right in, a bill of lading.
(5)“order” means an order by indorsement on a bill of lading.
(6)“purchase” includes taking by mortgage or pledge.
(7)“State” means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, and a territory or possession of the United States.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 8010149 App.:122.Aug. 29, 1916, ch. 415, § 42, 39 Stat. 545. In this chapter, the words “negotiable bill of lading” are substituted for “order bill”, and the words “nonnegotiable bill of lading” are substituted for “straight bill”, for clarity and consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. In this section, before clause (1), the words “unless the context of subject matter otherwise requires” are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement. The words “ ‘Action’ includes counterclaim, set-off, and suit in equity” are omitted as unnecessary. The words “ ‘Bill’ means bill of lading, governed by this chapter” are omitted because of section 80102 of the revised title. In clauses (1), (2), and (4), the words “ ‘Person’ includes a corporation or partnership, or two or more persons having a joint or common interest” are omitted because of 1:1. In clause (3), the words “personal property” are substituted for “chattels” for clarity and consistency. The words “is being” are substituted for “in course of” for clarity. In clause (7), the words “ ‘State’ means a State of the United States” are substituted for “ ‘State’ includes” for clarity and consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The word “possession” is substituted for “insular possession, or isthmian possession” for consistency in the revised title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 80101

Title 49Transportation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73