§ 25-7-304. Tangible bills of lading in a set. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 25‑7‑304. Tangible bills of lading in a set.

(a)        Except as customaryin international transportation, a tangible bill of lading may not be issued ina set of parts. The issuer is liable for damages caused by violation of thissubsection.

(b)        If a tangible billof lading is lawfully issued in a set of parts, each of which contains anidentification code and is expressed to be valid only if the goods have notbeen delivered against any other part, the whole of the parts constitutes onebill.

(c)        If a tangiblenegotiable bill of lading is lawfully issued in a set of parts and differentparts are negotiated to different persons, the title of the holder to which thefirst due negotiation is made prevails as to both the document of title and thegoods even if any later holder may have received the goods from the carrier ingood faith and discharged the carrier's obligation by surrendering its part.

(d)        A person thatnegotiates or transfers a single part of a tangible bill of lading issued in aset is liable to holders of that part as if it were the whole set.

(e)        The bailee shalldeliver in accordance with Part 4 of this Article against the first presentedpart of a tangible bill of lading lawfully issued in a set. Delivery in thismanner discharges the bailee's obligation on the whole bill. (1919, c. 65, s. 4; C.S., s.286; 1965, c. 700, s. 1; 2006‑112, s. 25.)