Last modified on: March 6, 2026
1. (Definitions) When used in this Bill of Lading (A) " Carrier" means Maxton Shipping Inc., which operates as
a licensed non-vessel operating common carrier, NVOCC. (B) “Ocean Carrier” means the vessel operating
carrier(s) (including the vessel or her owners) participating in the ocean transportation of the Goods between ports
of different countries (C) "Inland Carrier" means carriers (other than the Carrier or Ocean Carrier) by land, water
or air, participating in combined transport of the Goods, whether acting as carrier or bailee. (D) "Combined
Transport" means carriage of the Goods under this Bill of Lading from place of receipt from Merchant to place of
delivery to Merchant by the Carrier and Ocean Carrier plus one or more Inland Carriers. (E) "Port-to-Port
Transportation" means carriage of the Goods under this Bill of Lading other than combined transport. (F)
"Merchant" includes the shipper, consignor, consignee, owner, and receiver of the Goods and the holder of this Bill
of Lading. (G) "Goods" mean the cargo described on the face of this Bill of Lading and, if the cargo is packed into
container(s) supplied or furnished by or on behalf of the Merchant, include the container(s) as well. (H) "Vessel"
includes the vessel named on the face of this Bill of Lading and any ship, craft, lighter, barge or other means of
transport that is substituted in whole or in part for that vessel. (I) "Container" includes any containers (including
an open top container) flat rack, platform, trailer, transportable tank, pallet or any other device used for
transportation of goods. (J) "Laden on Board" or similar words endorsed on this Bill of Lading means that the
Goods have been loaded on board the Vessel or are in the custody of the Ocean Carrier, and in the event of
Combined Transport if the originating carrier is an Inland Carrier. "On Board" means that the Goods have been
loaded on board rail cars or other means of Inland carriage or are in the custody of a participating railroad or other
Inland Carrier. (K) "Subcontractor" includes stevedores, longshoremen, lighterers, terminal operators,
warehousemen, truckers, agents, servants, and any person, firm, corporation or other legal entity which performs
services incidental to the carriage of the Goods. (L) "United States" or "U.S." means the United States of America.
2. (Clause Paramount) (A) Insofar as this Bill of Lading covers carriage of Goods by water, this Bill of Lading
shall have effect subject to the provisions of the "Hague Rules", namely the International Conventions for the
Unification of Certain Rules Relating to Bills of Lading, dated at Brussels, August 25, 1924, as amended (including,
where enacted, the Protocol dated at Brussels, February 23, 1968, known as the Visby Rules), as enacted in the
country of shipment. When no such enactment is in force in the country of shipment or is otherwise compulsorily
applicable, the Hague Rules as enacted in the country of destination shall apply. When no such enactment is in
force in the country of shipment or in the country of destination, or is otherwise compulsorily applicable, the terms
of the Hague Rules as enacted by the Convention shall apply. (B) If this Bill of Lading covers Goods moving to
or from ports of the United States in foreign trade, then carriage of such goods shall be subject to the provisions of
the United States Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1936, 46 U.S.C. P1300-1315 as amended (hereinafter "U.S.
COGSA"), the terms of which shall be incorporated herein. The provisions of U.S. COGSA shall (except as
otherwise specifically provided in this Bill of Lading) govern throughout the time when the Goods are in the
custody of the Carrier and any other water carrier and as otherwise provided in this Bill of Lading.
3. (Law and Jurisdiction) Whenever the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1936 (COGSA) of the United States of
America applies, this contract is to be governed by the laws of the state of CALIFORNIA with the exception of its
conflict of laws principles. All disputes arising from the shipment to which this bill of lading pertains may only be
instituted in a court of appropriate jurisdiction located in the state of CALIFORNIA. Merchant and Carrier each
agree that they are subject to the personal jurisdiction of all state and federal courts located in the state of
CALIFORNIA. In all other cases actions against the Carrier may be instituted only in the country where the Carrier
has its principal place of business and shall be decided according to the law of such country.
4. (Limitation of Liability Statutes) Nothing in this Bill of Lading shall operate to limit or deprive the Carrier of
any statutory protection, exemption from, or limitation of liability authorized by the applicable laws, statutes, or
regulations of any country.
5. (Sub-Contracting: Exemptions and Immunities of Subcontractors) Exemptions and Immunities of
Subcontractors) (A) The Carrier shall be entitled to subcontract on any terms the whole or part of the handling,
storage, or carriage of the Goods and any and all duties whatsoever undertaken by the Carrier in relation to the
Goods. (B) Merchant warrants that no claim shall be made against any Subcontractor, except the Ocean Carrier or
Inland Carrier, that imposes or attempts to impose upon any of them or any vessel owned or operated by any of
them any liability in connection with the Goods, and, if any such claims should nevertheless be made, to indemnify
the Carrier against all consequences of such claims. (C) Without prejudice to the foregoing, it is expressly agreed
that every such Subcontractor (and Subcontractor's Subcontractor) shall be entitled to the same rights, exemptions
from liability, defenses and immunities to which Carrier is entitled.
6. (Route to Transport) (A) The Goods may, at the Carriers absolute discretion, be carried as a single shipment
or as several shipments by the Vessel and/or any other means of transport by land, water, or air and by any route
whatsoever, whether or not such route is the direct, advertised, or customary route. (B) The Vessel shall have
liberty to call and/or stay at any port or place in or out of the direct, advertised, or customary route, once or more
often and in any order, and/or to omit calling at any port or place whether scheduled or not. (C) The Vessel shall
have liberty , either with or without the Goods on board and either before or after proceeding toward the port of
discharge to adjust to compasses and other navigational instruments, make trial trips or tests, dry dock, go to repair
yards, shift berths, take on fuel or stores, embark or disembark any person, carry contraband, explosives, munitions,
war-like stores and hazardous cargo, sail with or without pilots, tow or be towed, and save or attempt to save life
or property. (D) If the Goods in whole or in part are for any reason not carried on the Vessel named in this Bill of
Lading, or if loading the Goods is delayed or is likely to detain the Vessel, the Vessel may proceed without carrying
or loading the Goods in whole or in part, and notice to merchant of such sailing is hereby waived. The Carrier may
forward the Goods under the terms of this Bill of Lading on the next available ship or at Carrier's option by any
other means of transportation, whether by land, water or air. (E) At Carrier's option and without notice to Merchant,
another ship or ships may be substituted for the Vessel named in this Bill of Lading, whether or not the substitute
ship is owned or operated by Ocean Carrier or arrives or departs, or is scheduled to arrive or depart, before or after
the Vessel named by this Bill of Lading. (F) Any action taken by the Carrier under this Article 6 shall be deemed
to be included within the contractual carriage and such action, or delay resulting therefrom, shall not be considered
a deviation. Should the Carrier be held liable in respect of such action, the Carrier shall be entitled to the full
benefit of all privileges, rights, and immunities contained in this Bill of Lading.
7. (Responsibility) (A) Insofar as this Bill of Lading is used for Port-to-Port Transportation of the Goods, the
Carrier shall not be responsible for loss of or damage to the Goods caused before loading or after discharge
"Loading" shall be deemed to commence with the hooking on the vessel's tackle, or if not using the vessel's tackle,
with the receipt of the Goods on deck or in the hold of (if the Goods are in bulk liquid) in the vessel's permanent
pipe connections. "Discharge" shall be deemed to be completed when the Goods have been unhooked from the
vessel's tackle o removed from the vessel's deck or passed beyond the vessel's permanent pipe connections.
(B) Insofar as this Bill of Lading is used for combined transport of the Goods, the responsibility of the Carrier and
each Inland Carrier with respect to the Goods shall be limited to the period when the carrier has custody of the
Goods, and no carrier, either Ocean or Inland, shall be responsible for any loss or damage caused while the Goods
are not in its custody. Any claim for loss of o or damage to the Goods, including loss or damages resulting from
delay, should be made against the carrier having custody of the Goods when the loss or damage or delay was
caused. (C) If it is established by the Merchant that the Carrier is responsible for loss of or damage to or in
connection with the Goods, such responsibility, subject to the provisions of this Bill of Lading, shall be to the extent
following but not further: (1) With respect to loss or damage caused during the period from the time when the
Goods arrived at the sea terminal at the port of loading to the time when they left the sea terminal at the port of
discharge, or caused during any previous or subsequent period of carriage by sea or waterways, to the extent
prescribed by the applicable Hague Rules as provided in Article 2. (2) Save as indicated (C) (i) above, with respect
to loss or damage caused during the handling, storage or carriage of the Goods by Carrier's Subcontractor, to the
extent to which such Subcontractor would have been liable to the Merchant if he had made a direct and separate
contract with the Merchant in respect of such handling, storage or carriage, provided, however, that if the Carrier
is not authorized under any applicable laws, rules or regulations to undertake such handling, storage, or carriage
under its own responsibility, the Carrier shall only be liable for procuring such handling, storage or carriage. If
such handling, storage or carriage occurred in or between points in Europe, or where otherwise applicable, such
responsibility shall be governed (a) if by road by the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of
Goods by Road, dated 19 May, 1956 (CMR); (b) if by rail, by the International Convention Concerning the
Carriage of Goods by Rail, dated 25 February, 1961 (CIM); (c) if by air, by the Convention for the Unification of
Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air, signed Warsaw 12 October, 1929, as amended by the
Hague Protocol dated 28 September, 1955 (Warsaw Convention); (d) If it is established by the Merchant that an
Inland Carrier is responsible for loss of or damage to or in connection with the Goods, such responsibility shall be
to the extent, but not further, than the Inland Carrier would have been liable to the Merchant if he had made a direct
and separate contract with the Merchant in respect of handling, storage or carriage of the Goods, as applicable. (e)
Notwithstanding foregoing Article 7 (A) or 7 (B), the Carrier does not undertake that the Goods shall arrive at the
port of discharge or place of delivery at any particular time or in time to meet any particular market o ruse, and the
Carrier shall not be responsible for any direct or indirect loss or damage that is caused through delay. (f) If this
Bill of Lading is used for Port-to-Port Transportation, the column indicating final destination on the face of this
Bill of Lading is solely for the purpose of the Merchant's reference, and the Carrier's responsibility for the Goods
shall in all cases cease at the time of discharge of the Goods at the port of discharge.
8. (Liberties) (A) In any situation whatsoever whether or not existing or anticipated before commencement of or
during the transport, which in the judgement of the Carrier (including for the purpose of this Article the Carrier,
Master and any person charged with the transport or safekeeping of the Goods) has given or is likely to give rise
to danger, injury, loss, delay, or disadvantage of whatsoever nature to the Vessel, the Carrier, a vehicle, any person,
the Goods or any property, or has rendered or is likely to render it in any way unsafe, impracticable, unlawful, or
against the interest of the Carrier or the Merchant to commence or continue the transport or to discharge the Goods
at the port of discharge or to deliver the Goods at the place of delivery by the route and in the manner originally
intended by the Carrier, the Carrier (1) at any time shall be entitled to unpack the container(s) or otherwise dispose
of the Goods in such way as the Carrier may deem advisable at the risk and expense of the Merchant and/or (2)
before the Goods are loaded on the Vessel, a vehicle, or other means of transport at the place of receipt or port of
loading, shall be entitled to cancel the contract of carriage without compensation and to require the Merchant to
take delivery of the Goods and, upon his failure to do so, to warehouse or place them at any place selected by the
Carrier at the risk and expense of the Merchant and/or (3) if the Goods are at a place awaiting transshipment, shall
be entitled to terminate the transport there and to store them at any place selected by the Carrier at the risk and
expense of the Merchant, and/or (4) if the Goods are loaded on the Vessel, a vehicle, or other means of transport
whether or not approaching, entering, or attempting to enter the port of discharge or to reach the place of delivery
or attempting or commencing to discharge, shall be entitled to discharge the Goods or any part of them at any port
or place selected by the Carrier or to carry them back to the port of loading or place of receipt and there discharge
them . Any actions under (3) or (4) above shall constitute complete and final delivery and full performance of this
contract, and the Carrier thereafter shall be free from any responsibility for carriage of the Goods.
(B) If, after storage, discharge, or any actions according to subpart (A) above the Carrier makes arrangements to
store and/or forward the Goods, it is agreed that he shall do so only as agent for and at the sole risk and expense of
the Merchant without any liability whatsoever in respect of such agency. The Merchant shall reimburse the Carrier
forthwith upon demand for all extra freight charges and expenses incurred for any actions taken according to
subpart (A), including delay or expense to the Vessel, and the Carrier shall have a lien upon the Goods to that
extent.
(C) The situations referred to in subpart (A) above shall include, but shall not be limited to, those caused by the
existence or apprehension of war declared or undeclared, hostilities, riots, civil commotions, or other disturbances
closure of, obstacle in, or danger to any port or canal, blockade, prohibition, or restriction on commerce or trading
quarantine, sanitary, or other similar regulations or restrictions, strikes, lockouts or other labor troubles whether
partial or general and whether or not involving employees of the Carrier or its Subcontractors, congestion of port,
wharf, sea terminal, or similar place, shortage, absence or obstacles of labor or facilities for loading, discharge,
delivery, or other handling of the Goods, epidemics or diseases, bad weather, shallow water, ice, landslip, or other
obstacles in navigation or carriage (D) The Carrier, in addition to all other liberties provided for in this Article,
shall have liberty to comply with orders, directions, regulations or suggestions as to navigation or the carriage or
handling of the Goods or the Vessel howsoever given, by any actual or purported government or public authority,
or by any committee or person having under the terms of any insurance on the Vessel, the right to give such order,
direction, regulation, or suggestion. If by reason of and/or in compliance with any such order, direction, regulation,
or suggestions, anything is done or is not done the same shall be deemed to be included within the contractual
carriage and shall not be a deviation.
9. (Description and Particulars of Goods) Any reference on the face of this Bill of Lading to marks, numbers,
description, quantity, quality, gauge, weight, measure, nature, kind, value, and any other particulars of the Goods,
is as furnished by the Merchant. The Carrier shall not be responsible for the accuracy of any such reference and is
not bound thereby. The Merchant warrants to the Carrier that the descriptions and particulars furnished by him are
correct, and the Merchant shall indemnify the Carrier against all loss, damage, expenses, liability, penalties and
fines arising or resulting from inaccuracy of any description or particular. Merchant acknowledges that it is
required to provide verified weights obtained on calibrated, certified equipment of all cargo that is to be tendered
to steamship lines. Shipper agrees that Carrier is entitled to rely on the accuracy of such weights and to countersign
or endorse it as Carrier’s own certified weight to the steamship line carrying the cargo. The Merchant agrees
that it shall indemnify and hold the Carrier harmless from any and all claims, losses, penalties or other costs
resulting from any incorrect or questionable verification of the weight provided by Merchant or its agent or
contractor on which the Carrier relies.
10. (Use of Container) When the Goods are not already packed into a container at the time of receipt by the Carrier,
the Carrier shall be at liberty to pack and carry the Goods in any type of container.
11. (Ocean Carrier's Container) (A) The Merchant assumes full responsibility for and shall indemnify the Carrier
against any loss of or damage to the Ocean Carrier's containers and other equipment if the loss or damage is caused
or occurs while in the possession or control of the Merchant, his agents, or common carriers engaged by or on
behalf of the Merchant (B) The Carrier shall in no event be liable for, and the Merchant shall indemnify and hold
the Carrier harmless from, any death of or injuries to persons, or loss of or damage to property, caused by the Ocean
Carrier's container or its contents while in the possession or control of the Merchant, his agents, or common carriers
engaged by or on behalf of the Merchant.
12. (Container Packed by Merchant) If the cargo received by the Ocean or Inland Carrier is in a container packed
by or on behalf of the Merchant. (A) this Bill of Lading is prima facie evidence of the receipt only of the number
on the face of this Bill of Lading. The condition and particulars of the contents are unknown to the Ocean and
Inland Carriers, and the Carrier accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the description of condition or
particulars. (B) The Merchant and not the Carrier warrants (1) that the stowage of the contents of the containers
and the closing and sealing of the containers are safe and proper, and (2) that the containers and their contents are
suitable for handling and carriage in accordance with the terms of this Bill of Lading, including Article 15. In the
event of the Merchant's breach of any of these warranties, the Merchant and not the Carrier shall be responsible
for, and the Merchant shall indemnify and hold Carrier harmless from, any resulting loss or damage to persons or
property (including the Goods) (C) The Merchant shall inspect the container when it is furnished by or on behalf
of the Carrier, and the container shall be deemed to have been accepted by the Merchant as being in sound and
suitable condition for the purpose of the transport contracted for in this Bill of Lading, unless the Merchant gives
notice to the contrary, in writing, to the Carrier before the transport. (D) If the container is delivered after transport
by the Ocean or Inland Carrier with seals intact, such delivery shall be deemed to be full and complete performance
of the Carrier's obligation under this Bill of Lading, and the Carrier shall not be liable for any loss of or damage to
the contents of the container. (E) The Ocean and Inland Carrier shall have the right to open the container and to
inspect its contents without notice to the Merchant, at such time and place as the Ocean or Inland Carrier may deem
necessary, and all expenses incurred therefrom shall be borne by the Merchant. (F) If any seal of the container is
broken by customs or other authorities for inspection of its contents, the Carrier shall not be liable for any resulting
loss, damage or expenses.
13. (Special Carriage or Container) (A) The Carrier does not undertake to carry the Goods in refrigerated, heated,
insulated, ventilated, or any other special hold or container, nor to carry any special container packed by or on
behalf of the Merchant, but the Carrier will treat such Goods or container only as ordinary goods or dry container,
respectively, unless: (1) special arrangements for the carriage of such Goods or container have been agreed to in
writing between the Carrier and the Merchant; (2) such special arrangements are noted on the face of this Bill of
Lading; and (3) special freights as required has been paid. The Carrier shall not be responsible for the function of
a special container supplied by or on behalf of the Merchant. (B) The Carrier shall not be liable for any loss of or
damage to Goods in a special hold or container arising from latent defects, breakdown, or stoppage of the
refrigeration or heating machinery, insulation, ship's plant, or other such apparatus of the Vessel or container,
provided that the Carrier shall before or at the beginning of the transport exercise due diligence to maintain the
special hold or container in an efficient state. (c) If the Goods have been packed into a refrigerated container by
the Ocean or Inland Carrier, and the particular temperature range requested by the Merchants is inserted in this Bill
of Lading, the Carrier will set the thermostatic controls within the requested temperature range but does not
guarantee the maintenance of such temperature inside the container. (D) If the cargo received by the Ocean or
Inland Carrier is in a refrigerated container packed by or on behalf of the Merchant, it is the obligation of the
Merchant to stow the contents properly and set the thermostatic controls exactly. The Carrier shall not be liable
for any loss of or damage to the Goods arising out of or resulting from the Merchant's failure in such obligation
and Carrier does not guarantee the maintenance of the intended temperature inside the container.
14. (Dangerous Goods, Contraband) (A) The Carrier undertakes to carry Goods of an explosive, inflammable,
radioactive, corrosive, damaging, poisonous, or dangerous nature only upon the Carrier's approval of a written
application by the Merchant prior to the carriage of such Goods. Such application must accurately state the name,
nature and classification of the Goods, as well as how they are dangerous and the method o rendering them
innocuous, together with the full names and addresses of the shipper and the consignee. (B) The Merchant shall
undertake that the nature and danger of such Goods is distinctly hand permanently marked on the outside of the
package or container containing the Goods. (C) Merchant shall submit all documents or certificates required in
connection with such Goods by any applicable statue or regulation or by the Carrier (D) Whenever the Goods are
discovered to have been received by the Ocean or Inland Carrier without complying with subparts (A), (B) or (C)
above, or the Goods are found to be contraband or prohibited by any law or regulation of any place during the
transport, the Carrier, the Inland Carrier, Ocean Carrier, or Subcontractor shall be entitled to have such Goods
rendered innocuous, thrown overboard, discharged, or otherwise disposed of at the Carrier's discretion without
compensation, and the Merchant shall be liable for and indemnify the Carrier against any loss, damage or liability,
including loss of freight, and any other expenses directly or indirectly arising out of custody or carriage of such
Goods. (E) The Carrier may exercise the right conferred upon it under the preceding subpart whenever it is
apprehended that Goods received in compliance with subparts (A), (B) and (C) above have become dangerous,
even if not dangerous when received by the Ocean or Inland Carrier. (F) The Carrier has the right to inspect the
contents of any package or container at any time and place without the prior notice to Merchant and at the risk and
expense of the Merchant.
15. (Stowage Under and on Deck) (A) Goods in containers, vans, trailers, or chassis may be carried under deck
or on deck, and when such Goods are carried on deck the Carrier shall not be required to specially note mark, or
stamp any statement of "on deck stowage" on the face of this Bill of Lading, any custom to the contrary
notwithstanding. Such on deck carriage shall not be considered a deviation. (B) Neither Ocean Carrier no Carrier
shall be liable for los or damage caused by water incursion or other perils incident to on deck carriage. (C) Goods
stowed in poop, forecastle, deck house, shelter deck, passenger space, or any other covered-in-space, or stowed in
a container wherever placed, shall be deemed to be stowed under deck for all purposes including general average.
(D) Lumber, earth moving equipment and all other Goods customarily or reasonably carried on deck may, at
Carrier's option, be carried on deck without further notice to Merchant and without liability to the Carrier for the
risks inherent in or incident to such carriage. Such on deck carriage shall not be considered a deviation. (E) In
respect of Goods not in containers and carried on deck, and stated on this Bill of Lading to be so carried, all risks
of loss or damage from perils inherent in or incident to the custody or carriage of such Goods shall be borne by the
Merchant and in all other respects the Carrier shall have the benefit of the provisions of the applicable, version of
the Hague Rules (including U.S. COGSA, notwithstanding Section 1301 (c) thereof) and the terms of this Bill of
Lading
16. (Live Animals and Plants) With respect to the custody and carriage of live animals and plants, all risks of
loss or damage by perils inherent in or incident to such carriage shall be borne by the Merchant, and in all other
respects the Carrier shall have the benefit of the provisions of the applicable version of the Hague Rules (including
U.S. COGSA, notwithstanding Section 1301(c) thereof) and the terms of this Bill of Lading.
17. (Valuable Goods) The Carrier shall not be liable to any extent for any loss of or damage to or in connection
with precious metals, stones, or chemicals, jewelry, currency, negotiable instruments, securities, writings,
documents, works of art, curios, heirlooms, or any other valuable goods, including goods having particular value
only for the Merchant, unless the true nature and value of the Goods have been declared in writing by the Merchant
before receipt of the Goods by the Ocean or Inland Carrier, the same is inserted on the face of this Bill of Lading
and additional freight has been paid as required.
18. (Heavy Lift) (A) The weight of a single piece or package exceeding 2,240 lbs. gross must be declared by the
Merchant in writing before receipt by the Ocean or Inland Carrier and must be marked clearly and durably on the
outside of the piece or package in letters and figures not less than two inches high. (B) If the Merchant fails in his
obligations under the preceding subpart (1) the Carrier shall not be responsible for any loss of or damage to in
connection with the Goods. (2) the Merchant shall be liable for resulting loss of or damage to any person or
property, and (3) Merchant shall indemnify the Carrier against any resulting loss, damage, or liability suffered by
the Carrier.
19. (Delivery by Marks) (A) The Carrier shall not be liable for failure or delaying delivery in accordance with
marks, unless such marks have been clearly and durably stamped or marked upon the Goods, package, or container
by the Merchant before they are received by the Ocean or Inland Carrier, in letters and numbers not less than two
inches high, together with the names of the port of discharge and place of delivery. (B) In no circumstances shall
the Carrier be responsible for delivery in accordance with other than leading marks. (C) The Merchant warrants
that the marks on the Goods, packages and containers correspond to the marks shown on this Bill of Lading and
also in all respects comply with all laws and regulations in force at the port of discharge or place of delivery. The
Merchant shall indemnity the Carrier against all loss, damage or expenses resulting from inaccuracy or
incompleteness of the marks. (D) Goods that cannot be identified as to marks or numbers, cargo sweeping liquid
residue and any unclaimed goods not otherwise accounted for may be allocated for the purpose for completing
delivery to the various Merchants of Goods of like character in proportion to any apparent shortage, loss of weight
or damage.
20. (Delivery) (A) The Carrier shall have the right to deliver the Goods at any time at the Vessels side,
customhouse, warehouse, wharf, or any other place designated by the Carrier, within the geographic limits of the
port of discharge or place of delivery shown of the face of this Bill of Lading (B) The Carrier's responsibility shall
cease when the Goods have been delivered to the Merchant, Inland Carrier, connecting carrier or any other person
entitled to receive the Goods on Merchant's behalf at the place designated by the Carrier. Delivery of the Goods to
the custody of customs or any other public authority shall constitute final discharge of the Carrier's responsibility.
(C) In case the cargo received by the Carrier is containers packed by or on behalf of the Merchant (1) The Carrier
shall only be responsible for delivery of the total number of containers received (2) The Carrier shall not be required
to unpack the containers and deliver their contents in accordance with brands, marks, numbers sizes, to types of
items or pieces (3) At the Carriers discretion and upon the Merchant's request in writing to the Carrier at least 3
business days prior to the scheduled date of arrival the of Vessel at the port of discharge containers may be unpacked
and their contents delivered by the Carrier in accordance with the written request. In such a case if the seal of the
containers is intact at the time of unpacking all the Carrier's obligations under this Bill of Lading shall be deemed
to have been discharged, the Carrier shall not be responsible for any loss or damage resulting from such delivery
and the Merchants shall be liable for an appropriate adjustment of the freight and any additional charges incurred
(D) If the Goods have been packed into a container by the Carrier shall unpack the container and deliver its contents
and the Carrier shall not be required to deliver the Goods in the container. At the Carrier's discretion, and subject
to prior arrangement between the Merchant and the Carrier the Goods may be delivered to Merchant in the
container, in which case if the container is delivered with seals intact all the Carrier's obligations under this Bill of
Lading shall be deemed to have been discharged, and the Carrier shall not be responsible for any loss or damage
to the contents of the container. (E) Optional delivery shall be granted only when arranged prior to the time of
receipt of the Goods by Ocean Carrier and if expressly stated on the face of this Bill of Lading. The Merchant
desiring to avail himself of the option so expressed must give notice in writing to the Carrier at the first port of call
named in the option at least 48 hours prior to the Vessel's arrival there, otherwise the Goods shall be landed at any
of the optional ports at Carrier's option, and the Carrier's responsibility shall then . (F) Carrier is not responsible to
give notification, in writing or otherwise, either to Merchant or others, of the arrival, discharge, or disposition of
Goods, any custom or agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, and notwithstanding any notation on the face of
this Bill of Lading, concerning notification or a notify party.
21. (On-Carriage and Forwarding) (A) Whether arranged beforehand or not, the Carrier shall be at liberty
without notice to carry the Goods wholly or partly by the named or any other Vessel, craft barge, or other means
of transport by water, land or air, whether or not owned or operated by the Carrier. (B) The Carrier may under any
circumstances whatsoever discharge the Goods or any part of them at any port or place for transshipment and store
them afloat or ashore and then forward them by any means of transport. (C) If the Goods cannot be found at the
port of discharge or place of delivery, or if they be miscarried, they, when found, may be forwarded to their intended
port of discharge or place of delivery at the Carrier's expense, but the Carrier shall not be liable for any loss, damage,
delay, or depreciation arising from such forwarding. (D) In case of Port-to-Port Transportation, transshipment of
cargo, or receipt of cargo from ports or inland points not including within the ship's itinerary or the Carrier's service,
is to be at the sole risk and expense of the Merchant, and neither the Carrier not its Subcontractor shall be deemed
to be the agent or principal of a prior or subsequent carrier notwithstanding the issuance by the Carrier of a bill of
lading, receipt, or other shipping document at a time or place prior to that at which the Goods are received by the
Carrier
22. (Fire) The Carrier shall not be responsible for any loss of or damage to the Goods arising from fire occurring
at any time, even though before loading on or after discharge from the Vessel, unless caused by the actual fault or
privity of the Carrier.
23. (Lien) (A) Carrier shall have a general lien on any and all property (and documents relating thereto) of Merchant
in its actual or constructive possession, custody or control or en route, for all claims for charges, expenses (including
costs, customs fees, attorney fees, other fees for recovering the sums) or advances incurred by Carrier in connection
with this shipment, or any previous shipment, of Merchant, or both, which lien shall survive delivery, and if such
claim remains unsatisfied for 30 days after demand for its payment is made, Carrier may sell at public auction or
private sale, upon 10 days written notice, registered mail to Merchant, the goods, wares and/or merchandise or so
much as may be necessary to satisfy such lien and the costs of recovery, and apply the net proceeds of such sale to
the payment of the amount due Carrier. Any surplus from such sale shall be transmitted to Merchant, and Merchant
shall be liable for any deficiency in the sale. (B) If the Goods are unclaimed during a reasonable time, or whenever
in the Carrier's opinion the Goods will become deteriorated, decayed or worthless, the Carrier (without
responsibility to it) may at its discretion and subject to its lien, sell, abandon, or otherwise dispose of such Goods
at the sole risk and expense of the Merchant
24. (Freight and Charges) (A) Freight shall be calculated and due in accordance with Carrier’s Tariff, this bill of
lading, andmay be calculated on the basis of the particulars of the Goods furnished by the Merchant, who shall be
deemed to have guaranteed to the Carrier the accuracy of the contents, weight, measure, or value as furnished by
him at the time of receipt of the Goods by the Ocean or Inland Carrier, but the Carrier for the purpose of ascertaining
the actual particulars may at any time and at the risk and expense of the Merchant open the container or package
and examine contents, weight, measure, and value of the Goods. In case of incorrect declaration of the contents,
weight, measure and or value of the Goods, the Merchant shall be liable for and bound to pay to the Carrier: (1) the
balance of freight between the freight charged and that which would have been due had the correct details been
given, plus (2) expenses incurred in determining the correct details, plus (3) as liquidated and ascertained damages,
an additional sum equal to the correct freight. (B) Full freight to the port of discharge or place of delivery shall be
considered as completely earned on receipt of the Goods by the Carrier, whether the freight be stated or intended
to be prepaid or to be collected at destination. The Carrier shall be entitled to all freight and other charges due
hereunder, whether actually paid or not and to receive and retain such freight and charges under any circumstances,
whether the Vessel and/or the Goods be lost or not, or the voyage be broken up, frustrated, or abandoned at any
stage of the entire transit. Full freight shall be paid on damaged or unsound Goods. (C) The Payment of freight
and/or charges shall be made in full and in cash without any offset, counter claim, or deduction. Where freight is
payable at the port of discharge or place of delivery, such freight and all other charges shall be paid in the currency
named in this Bill of Lading, or, at Carrier's option, in other currency subject to the regulators of the freight
conference concerned, if any, or custom at the place of payment. (D) Goods once received by the Carrier cannot
be taken away or disposed of by the Merchant except upon the Carrier's consent and after payment of full freight
and compensation for any loss sustained by the Carrier through such taking away or disposal. (E) If the Goods are
not available when the Vessel is ready to load: (1) The Carrier is relieved of any obligation to load such Goods and
the Vessel may leave the port without further notice. (2) Unless the unavailability arises in the course of combined
transport and is caused by the failure of an Inland Carrier to perform its obligations under this Bill of Lading, dead
freight shall be paid by the Merchant. (F) The Merchant shall be liable for and shall indemnify the Carrier against:
(1) all dues, duties, taxes, consular fees, and other charges levied on the Goods, and (2) all fines, damages and
losses sustained by the Carrier in connection with Goods, howsoever caused, including the Merchant's failure to
comply with laws and regulations of any public authority in connection with the Goods, or failure to procure
consular, Board of Health, or other certificates to accompany the Goods. The Merchant shall be liable for return
freight and changes on any Goods refused exportation or importation by any public authority. (G) If the Carrier is
of the opinion that the Goods are in need of sorting, inspecting, mending, repairing, or reconditioning, or otherwise
require protecting or caring for, the Carrier at its discretion may, by itself or through Subcontractors, and as agent
for the Merchant, carry out such work at the risk and expense of the Merchant. (H) The shipper, consignor,
consignee, owner of the Goods and holder of this Bill of Lading shall be jointly and severally liable to the Carrier
for the payment of all freight and charges and for the performance of the obligations of any of them under this Bill
of Lading
25. (Notice of Claim and Time for Suit against Carrier) (A) Unless notice of loss or damage and the general
nature of such loss or damage be given in writing to the Carrier at the port of discharge or place of delivery before
or at the time of delivery of the Goods or, if the loss or damage is not apparent, within 3 days after delivery, the
Goods shall be deemed to have been delivered as described in this Bill of Lading. (B) The Carrier shall be
discharged from all liability in respect of the Goods, including without limitation nondelivery, misdelivery, delay,
loss, or damage, unless suit has been brought within one year after delivery of the Goods or the date when the
Goods should have been delivered. Suit shall not be considered to have been "brought" within the time specified
unless process shall have been served and jurisdiction obtained over the Carrier within such time.
26. (Limitation of Liability) (A) Subject to subpart (B) below for the purpose of determining the extent of the
Carrier's liability for loss of or damage to the Goods, the Merchant agrees that the value of the Goods is the
Merchant's net invoice cost, plus freight and insurance premium, if paid. The Carrier shall not be liable for any
loss of profit or any consequential loss. (B) Insofar as the loss of or damage to or in connection with the Goods was
caused during the part of the custody or carriage to which the applicable version of the Hague Rules applies: (1)
The Carrier shall not be liable for loss or damage in an amount exceeding the minimum allowable per package or
unit in the applicable version of the Hague Rules, which when U.S. COGSA is applicable is an amount not
exceeding U.S. $500 per package or customary freight unit, unless the value (and nature) of Goods higher than this
amount has been declared in writing by the Merchant before receipt of the Goods by the Carrier and inserted on
the face of this Bill of Lading and extra freight has been paid as required. If the actual value of the Goods per
package or unit exceeds such declared value, the value shall nevertheless be deemed to be the declared value, and
the Carrier's liability, if any, shall not exceed the declared value. Any partial loss or damage shall be adjusted pro
rata on the basis of such declared value. If the declared value has been willfully misstated or is markedly higher
than the actual value, the Carrier shall not be liable to pay any compensation. (2) Where the cargo has been packed
into a container or unitized into a similar article of transport by or on behalf of the Merchant, it is expressly agreed
that the number of such containers or similar articles of transport shown on the face of this Bill of Lading shall be
considered as the number of the packages or units for the purpose of the application of the limitation of liability
provided for in this Article.
27. (General Average: New Jason Clause) (A) General average shall be adjusted, stated and settled at any port
or place as the Carrier's option and according to the York-Antwerp Rules, 1974 and as to matters not provided for
by these Rules, according to the laws and usages of the port or place of adjustment and in the currency selected by
the Carrier. The general average statement shall be prepared by the adjusters appointed by the Carrier. Average
agreement or bond and such cash deposit as the Carrier may deem sufficient to cover the estimated contribution of
the Goods and any salvage and special charges thereon and any other additional securities as the Carrier may require
shall be furnished by the Merchant to the Carrier before delivery of the Goods. (B) In the event of accident, danger,
damage, or disaster before or after commencement of the voyage, resulting from any cause whatsoever, whether
due to negligence or not for which or for the consequence of which the Carrier isn't responsible by statue, contract,
or otherwise, the Goods and the Merchant shall jointly and severally contribute with the Carrier in general average
to the payment of any sacrifices, loss, or expenses of a general average nature that may be made or incurred, and
shall pay salvage and special charges incurred in respect of the Goods.
28. (Both to Blame Collision) If the Vessel comes into collision with another ship as a result of the negligence of
the other ship and any act, neglect, or default of the Master, mariner, pilot, or servants of the owner of the Vessel
in the navigation or in the management of the Vessel, the Merchant shall indemnify the Carrier against all loss or
liability which might be incurred directly or indirectly to the other or non-carrying ship or her owners insofar as
such loss or liability represents loss of or damage to his Goods or any claim whatsoever of the Merchant paid or
payable by the other or non-carrying ship or her owners to the Merchant and set-off, recouped, or recovered by the
other or non-carrying ship or her owners as part of their claim against the carrying Vessel or its owner. The
foregoing provisions shall also apply where the owners, operators, or those in charge of any ship or ships or objects
other than, or in addition to the colliding ships or objects are at fault in respect of a collision contact stranding or
other accident.
29. (Carriage of Metal Products, Lumber, Cotton) (A) The term "apparent good order and condition" when
used in this Bill of Lading does not mean: (1) with reference to iron, steel, or metal products, that the Goods when
received were free from visible rust or moisture. (2) with reference to lumber, timber, plywood, or other wood
products, that the Goods when received were free from visible stains, discoloration, moisture, shakes, holes,
chaffed, breakage or splitting. If the Merchant so requests a substitute bill of lading will be issued setting forth any
notations as to the foregoing that may appear on the mate's or tally clerk's receipts or similar document. (B)
Description of the condition of cotton cargo does not relate to the sufficiency or not or condition of the covering
nor to any damage, resulting therefrom. The Carrier shall not be responsible for any such damage.
30. (Grain) Discharge of grain received by the Carrier in bulk may be in port, on barges, and or lighters, or
elsewhere, using or not using elevators, and such discharge shall constitute a sufficient delivery by the Carrier.
Thereafter said grain shall be at the risk and expense of the Merchant.
31. (Intermodal Transportation) (A) This Bill of Lading may be issued for Intermodal Transportation in any
country. When so issued as between the Merchant and an Inland Carrier custody and carriage of the Goods by the
Inland Carrier are subject to the relevant laws, regulations, tariffs and bill of lading are available from the Ocean
or Inland Carrier upon request. (B) Claims by the Merchant against an Inland Carrier for loss or damage shall be
given and suit commenced as provided in the Inland Carrier's applicable bill of lading
32. (Carrier's Tariff) This Bill of Lading is subject to the Carrier's application tariff. Copies of the applicable
tariff are obtainable from the Carrier upon request.
33. (Severability of Terms) The terms of this Bill of Lading are severable and if any part or term is declared
invalid or unenforceable, the validity or enforceability, of any other part or term shall not be affected.
34. (Himalaya Clause) All exceptions, exemptions defenses immunities, limitations on liability, privileges and
conditions granted or provided by this Bill of Lading or by applicable tariff or by statue or for the benefit of the
Carrier shall also apply to and for the benefit of the officers and employees of the Carrier and the agents, officers
and crew of the Vessel and to and for the benefit of all parties performing services in connection with the Goods
as agents or contractors of the Carrier (including, without limitation, stevedores, terminal operators and agents)
and the employees of each them.
Last modified on: April 10, 2025
