Bills of Lading Bill 2025 repeals 1856 Act, preserves existing rights

This Bill repeals the Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856 and reenacts it to modernize the law. It ensures that when a bill of lading is transferred, the rights to sue and liabilities regarding the goods pass to the new holder, and it protects good-faith holders from claims that the goods were not actually loaded.

Consignees and endorsees of bills of lading, original shippers or owners of goods, masters or persons signing bills of lading, and the Central Government.

• Rights of suit and liabilities regarding goods pass to the consignee or endorsee when property in the goods passes to them.
• A bill of lading in the hands of a holder for valuable consideration is conclusive evidence that goods were shipped on board, against the master or signer, unless the holder had actual notice the goods were not loaded.
• The master or signer can avoid liability for misrepresentation if they prove the error was caused solely by the fraud of the shipper or holder without their own default.
• The Act does not affect rights of stoppage in transit or rights to claim freight against the original shipper.
• The Central Government is empowered to issue directions necessary for carrying out the provisions of the Act.

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