The Harter Act of 1893 regulates bills of lading in the carriage of goods by sea: a carrier cannot contract away liability for negligence in loading, stowage, or care of cargo, but is exempted from liability for errors in navigation or management if due diligence made the vessel seaworthy. It shaped the later Hague Rules and Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, and survives at 46 U.S.C. §§ 30701–30707.
Harter Act
recodifiedCodified at46 U.S.C. §§ 30701–30707
Enacted February 13, 1893 · ch. 105, 27 Stat. 445
Originally 46 App. U.S.C. §§ 190–196; recodified at 46 U.S.C. ch. 307 in 2006.