The Bills of Lading Act, 2025
An Act to make provisions for the transfer of rights of suit and all liabilities to the consignee named in a bill of lading and every endorsee of a bill of lading, to whom the property in the goods mentioned in the bill of lading shall pass, upon or by reason of a consignment or an endorsement, and for matters connected therewith or related thereto.
Administered by. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways · Other Acts of 2025
Preamble
THE BILLS OF LADING ACT, 2025
ACT NO. 18 OF 2025
[24th July, 2025.]
An Act to make provisions for the transfer of rights of suit and all liabilities to the consignee named in a bill of lading and every endorsee of a bill of lading, to whom the property in the goods mentioned in the bill of lading shall pass, upon or by reason of a consignment or an endorsement, and for matters connected therewith or related thereto.
WHEREAS by the custom of merchants, a bill of lading of goods being transferable by endorsement, the property in the goods may thereby pass to the endorsee, but nevertheless all rights in respect of the contract contained in the bill of lading continue in the original shipper or owner;
AND WHEREAS it is expedient that such rights should pass with the property;
AND WHEREAS it frequently happens that the goods in respect of which bills of lading purport to be signed have not been laden on board;
AND WHEREAS it is proper that such bills of lading in the hands of a bona fide holder for value should not be questioned by the master or other person signing the same, on the ground of the goods not having been laden as aforesaid.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:---
What this Act covers
Summary of Bills of Lading Act, 2025
It simplifies the law while preserving the rights and liabilities of parties involved in the carriage of goods by sea, thereby promoting legal certainty and facilitating international maritime trade.
Key Provisions
1. Transfer of Rights and Liabilities
• Rights of Suit: The consignee named in the bill of lading and every lawful endorsee acquires all rights of suit under the contract of carriage.
• Liabilities: The consignee or lawful endorsee also assumes the same liabilities as if they had originally entered into the contract.
2. Recognition of Bills of Lading
• Evidence of Contract: A bill of lading serves as evidence of the contract for the carriage of goods by sea.
• Transfer of Goods: It enables the lawful transfer of ownership and possession of goods through endorsement and delivery.
3. Government Powers
• Implementation: The Central Government may take necessary measures for the effective implementation of the Act.
• Administrative Authority: Empowered to issue directions to ensure the smooth operation of the Act.
Sections
Type to filter. 6 sections.
- 1Short title and commencement
- 2Rights under bills of lading to vest in consignee or endorsee
- 3Right of stoppage in transit or claims for freight not to be affected
- 4Bill of lading in hands of consignee, etc., conclusive evidence of shipment as against master, etc
- 5Power of Central Government to give directions
- 6Repeal and savings
Legislative history
Legislative History: The Bills of Lading Act, 2025 Source: Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Act Title - The Bills of Lading Act, 2025 Act Number - Act No. 18 of 2025 Act ID (India Code) - 202518 Presidential Assent date - June 17, 2025 Enforcement Date - June 17, 2025 Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Precedent & Historical Rationale ● Repeal & Modernization of Colonial Framework: Repeals the 169-year-old Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856 (9 of 1856) to modernize language, streamline structure, and remove outdated colonial terminology from India's maritime statute book. ● Vesting of Rights of Suit & Conclusive Evidence: Codifies the statutory transfer of all rights of suit and liabilities to named consignees and endorsees upon transfer of property in goods, while establishing that a signed bill of lading in the hands of a bona fide holder for value serves as conclusive evidence of shipment. Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment ● Formulation: Introduced by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, to align shipping documentation laws with contemporary international trade practices and enable central government policy direction. ● Parliamentary Passage: Passed by the Lok Sabha on March 10, 2025, and subsequently passed by the Rajya Sabha on July 21, 2025. ● Presidential Assent: Received the assent of the President of India on July 24, 2025. ● Enforcement: Enforced on June 17, 2025.
Related Acts
- The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025325 sections
- The Indian Ports Act 202586 sections
- The Coastal Shipping Act, 202542 sections
- The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 202512 sections
- The Inland Vessels Act, 2021114 sections
- The Major Port Authorities Act, 202176 sections
- The Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 202153 sections
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Every one of the 6 sections of this Act has its own page. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.