COGSA (Carriage of Goods by Sea Act): Primary U.S. federal law governing the rights and responsibilities between shippers and ocean carriers in the international transportation of goods. Applies to all contracts for carriage of goods by sea to or from U.S. ports in foreign trade.
Pomerene Act (Federal Bills of Lading Act): Federal law governing bills of lading in interstate and foreign commerce, establishing rules for negotiable bills of lading and liability provisions for carriers and shippers.
Harter Act: U.S. federal law that regulates maritime contracts of carriage, particularly concerning carrier duties and liability limitations. Applies where COGSA doesn't.
Interstate Commerce Act: Federal law governing interstate transportation and commerce, including provisions for bills of lading in domestic transport.
Shipping Act of 1984: Regulates ocean shipping and requires carriers to file tariffs with the Federal Maritime Commission, affecting documentation requirements including bills of lading.
Hague Rules: International Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to Bills of Lading, establishing uniform rules for international shipment documentation and carrier liability.
Hague-Visby Rules: Updated version of the Hague Rules with modified liability limits and provisions. While US isn't a signatory, awareness is crucial for international shipping.
Hamburg Rules: UN Convention on the Carriage of Goods by Sea. Though US is not a signatory, understanding is important for international shipments involving signatory countries.
UCC Article 7: Uniform Commercial Code article governing documents of title, including bills of lading, in domestic commerce.
UCC Article 2: Uniform Commercial Code article governing sales transactions, which interfaces with bills of lading as documents of title in sales transactions.
46 CFR Part 520: Federal Maritime Commission regulations concerning carrier automated tariffs, affecting how rates and terms are published and incorporated into bills of lading.
46 CFR Part 515: FMC regulations governing licensing, financial responsibility requirements, and general duties of ocean transportation intermediaries.
19 CFR (Customs Duties): U.S. Customs regulations affecting documentation requirements for international shipments, including specific requirements for bills of lading.
