California · Commercial Code

COM §7303: (a) Unless the bill of lading otherwise provides, a carrier may deliver the goods to a person or destination other than that stated in the bill or may otherwise dispose of the goods, without liability

What this law says, in plain English

A carrier may deliver goods to a different person or destination than stated in the bill of lading, or dispose of goods otherwise, without legal liability unless the bill of lading specifies otherwise.

Read the full statutory text
(a) Unless the bill of lading otherwise provides, a carrier may deliver the goods to a person or destination other than that stated in the bill or may otherwise dispose of the goods, without liability for misdelivery, on instructions from: (1) the holder of a negotiable bill; (2) the consignor on a nonnegotiable bill, even if the consignee has given contrary instructions; (3) the consignee on a nonnegotiable bill in the absence of contrary instructions from the consignor, if the goods have arrived at the billed destination or if the consignee is in possession of the tangible bill or in control of the electronic bill; or (4) the consignee on a nonnegotiable bill, if the consignee is entitled as against the consignor to dispose of the goods. (b) Unless instructions described in subdivision (a) are included in a negotiable bill of lading, a person to which the bill is duly negotiated may hold the bailee according to the original terms.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.