46 U.S. Code § 30703 - Bills of lading

(a) Issuance.—

On demand of a shipper, the carrier shall issue a bill of lading or shipping document.

(b) Contents.—

The bill of lading or shipping document shall include a statement of—

(1) the marks necessary to identify the goods;

(2) the number of packages, or the quantity or weight, and whether it is carrier’s or shipper’s weight; and

(3) the apparent condition of the goods.

(c) Prima Facie Evidence of Receipt.—

A bill of lading or shipping document issued under this section is prima facie evidence of receipt of the goods described.

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 6(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1516.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
30703	46 App.:193.	Feb. 13, 1893, ch. 105, § 4, 27 Stat. 445.

In subsection (a), the words “On demand of a shipper” are added because of the reference to a demand in 46 App. U.S.C. 194. 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 word “lawful” (which modifies “merchandise”) is omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (b)(2), the words “or weight” are added for consistency with the requirement to state whether it is the carrier’s or shipper’s weight.

In subsection (b)(3), the word “order” is omitted as redundant to “condition”. The words “delivered to and received by . . . for transportation” are omitted as unnecessary.