
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 49USC13706]

 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                 SUBTITLE IV--INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION
 
 PART B--MOTOR CARRIERS, WATER CARRIERS, BROKERS, AND FREIGHT FORWARDERS
 
                  CHAPTER 137--RATES AND THROUGH ROUTES
 
Sec. 13706. Liability for payment of rates

    (a) Liability of Consignee.--Liability for payment of rates for 
transportation for a shipment of property by a shipper or consignor to a 
consignee other than the shipper or consignor, is determined under this 
section when the transportation is provided by motor carrier under this 
part. When the shipper or consignor instructs the carrier transporting 
the property to deliver it to a consignee that is an agent only, not 
having beneficial title to the property, the consignee is liable for 
rates billed at the time of delivery for which the consignee is 
otherwise liable, but not for additional rates that may be found to be 
due after delivery if the consignee gives written notice to the 
delivering carrier before delivery of the property--
        (1) of the agency and absence of beneficial title; and
        (2) of the name and address of the beneficial owner of the 
    property if it is reconsigned or diverted to a place other than the 
    place specified in the original bill of lading.

    (b) Liability of Beneficial Owner.--When the consignee is liable 
only for rates billed at the time of delivery under subsection (a), the 
shipper or consignor, or, if the property is reconsigned or diverted, 
the beneficial owner is liable for those additional rates regardless of 
the bill of the lading or contract under which the property was 
transported. The beneficial owner is liable for all rates when the 
property is reconsigned or diverted by an agent but is refused or 
abandoned at its ultimate destination if the agent gave the carrier in 
the reconsignment or diversion order a notice of agency and the name and 
address of the beneficial owner. A consignee giving the carrier 
erroneous information about the identity of the beneficial owner of the 
property is liable for the additional rates.

(Added Pub. L. 104-88, title I, Sec. 103, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 872.)


                            Prior Provisions

    Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in 
section 10744 of this title prior to the general amendment of this 
subtitle by Pub. L. 104-88, Sec. 102(a).
