The Bills of Lading Act, 2025

Section 0

In force · As amended up to 2026-08

An Act to make provisions for the transfer of rights of suit and all liabilities to the consignee named in a bill of lading and every endorsee of a bill of lading, to whom the property in the goods mentioned in the bill of lading shall pass, upon or by reason of a consignment or an endorsement, and for matters connected therewith or related thereto. WHEREAS by the custom of merchants, a bill of lading of goods being transferable by endorsement, the property in the goods may thereby pass to the endorsee, but nevertheless all rights in respect of the contract contained in the bill of lading continue in the original shipper or owner; AND WHEREAS it is expedient that such rights should pass with the property; AND WHEREAS it frequently happens that the goods in respect of which bills of lading purport to be signed have not been laden on board; AND WHEREAS it is proper that such bills of lading in the hands of a bona fide holder for value should not be questioned by the master or other person signing the same, on the ground of the goods not having been laden as aforesaid. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—

Source: India Code