Title 49TransportationRelease 119-73

§80110 Duty to deliver goods

Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE X— - MISCELLANEOUS › Chapter CHAPTER 801— - BILLS OF LADING › § 80110

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

A carrier must give shipped goods to the person allowed by the bill of lading. That means the named consignee on a nonnegotiable bill or the holder of a negotiable bill can get the goods if they will satisfy any carrier lien, have the bill and will hand it over (signed if needed), and will sign a receipt if asked. Also, subject to a related rule, the carrier may deliver to whoever is entitled to possession, the named consignee, or someone holding a negotiable bill that gives them the right to the goods. If someone else claims the goods and the carrier knows, the carrier can wait a reasonable time to check the claim or start a court case to have all claimants resolve the dispute. If at least two people claim the goods, the carrier may join them in one lawsuit or require them to settle the dispute as part of defending a nondelivery suit. Except for the delivery rules above and these dispute procedures, a third person’s claim is not a defense against a suit by the consignee or bill holder unless a court enforces that claim.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §80110

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Except to the extent a common carrier establishes an excuse provided by law, the carrier must deliver goods covered by a bill of lading on demand of the consignee named in a nonnegotiable bill or the holder of a negotiable bill for the goods when the consignee or holder—
(1)offers in good faith to satisfy the lien of the carrier on the goods;
(2)has possession of the bill and, if a negotiable bill, offers to indorse and give the bill to the carrier; and
(3)agrees to sign, on delivery of the goods, a receipt for delivery if requested by the carrier.
(b)Subject to section 80111 of this title, a common carrier may deliver the goods covered by a bill of lading to—
(1)a person entitled to their possession;
(2)the consignee named in a nonnegotiable bill; or
(3)a person in possession of a negotiable bill if—
(A)the goods are deliverable to the order of that person; or
(B)the bill has been indorsed to that person or in blank by the consignee or another indorsee.
(c)A claim by a common carrier that the carrier has title to goods or right to their possession is an excuse for nondelivery of the goods only if the title or right is derived from—
(1)a transfer made by the consignor or consignee after the shipment; or
(2)the carrier’s lien.
(d)If a person other than the consignee or the person in possession of a bill of lading claims title to or possession of goods and the common carrier knows of the claim, the carrier is not required to deliver the goods to any claimant until the carrier has had a reasonable time to decide the validity of the adverse claim or to bring a civil action to require all claimants to interplead.
(e)If at least 2 persons claim title to or possession of the goods, the common carrier may—
(1)bring a civil action to interplead all known claimants to the goods; or
(2)require those claimants to interplead as a defense in an action brought against the carrier for nondelivery.
(f)Except as provided in subsections (b), (d), and (e) of this section, title or a right of a third person is not a defense to an action brought by the consignee of a nonnegotiable bill of lading or by the holder of a negotiable bill against the common carrier for failure to deliver the goods on demand unless enforced by legal process.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 80110(a)49 App.:88.Aug. 29, 1916, ch. 415, §§ 8, 9, 16–19, 39 Stat. 539, 541. 80110(b)49 App.:89. 80110(c)49 App.:96. 80110(d)49 App.:98. 80110(e)49 App.:97. 80110(f)49 App.:99. In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words “Except to the extent a common carrier establishes an excuse provided by law” are substituted for “in the absence of some lawful excuse” and “In case the carrier refuses or fails to deliver the goods, in compliance with a demand by the consignee or holder so accompanied, the burden shall be upon the carrier to establish the existence of a lawful excuse for such refusal or failure” for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words. The word “must” is substituted for “is bound to” for clarity. The words “if such a demand is accompanied by” are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement. In clause (1), the word “lawful” is omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement. In clause (2), the word “properly” is omitted as surplus. In clause (3), the word “agrees” is substituted for “A readiness and willingness” for clarity. The word “receipt” is substituted for “acknowledgment” for consistency. The words “if such signature” are omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (b), before clause (1), the word “may” is substituted for “is justified . . . in” because it is more accurate. In clause (1), the word “entitled” is substituted for “lawfully entitled” to eliminate an unnecessary word. In clause (3), before subclause (A), the word “if” is substituted for “by the terms of which” for clarity. In subclause (B), the words “another indorsee” are substituted for “by the mediate or immediate indorsee of the consignee” as being inclusive. In subsection (c), before clause (1), the words “for his own benefit” are omitted as surplus. The words “nondelivery of” are substituted for “refusing to deliver” because they are more accurate. The words “according to the terms of a bill issued for them” are omitted as unnecessary. In clause (1), the words “directly or indirectly” are omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (d), the word “person” is substituted for “someone” for consistency in this chapter. The words “claims title” are substituted for “has a claim to the title” for consistency. The words “is not required to” are substituted for “shall be excused from liability for refusing to” for clarity. The words “any claimant” are substituted for “either to the consignee or person in possession of the bill or to the adverse claimant” to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “civil action” are substituted for “legal proceedings” for consistency with rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.). In subsection (e), before clause (1), the words “at least 2” are substituted for “more than one” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. In clause (1), the words “civil action” are substituted for “an original suit” for consistency with rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.). The words “whichever is appropriate” are omitted as unnecessary.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 80110

Title 49Transportation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73