(a) General Liability

The carrier or party in possession of any property described herein shall be liable, as at common law, for any loss thereof or damage thereto, except as hereinafter provided. Exceptions to the above liability include mechanical, electrical, or other operational malfunction, delays, quarantine, storage-in-transit, and contents of pieces or containers.

(b) Acts Beyond Carrier Control

No carrier or party in possession of all or any of the property herein described shall be liable for any loss, damage, or delay caused by an act of God, public enemy, acts of public authority, quarantine, riots, strikes, perils of navigation, acts or defaults of the shipper or owner, or the nature, defect, or inherent vice of the property.

Except in cases of negligence, no carrier or party in possession shall be liable for the loss, damage, condition, operation, or functioning of the property. The carrier shall not be liable for damage to or loss of contents packed within furniture, crates, bundles, cartons, boxes, barrels, or other containers unless such contents are open for inspection, specifically listed by the shipper, and acknowledged by the carrier or its authorized agent.

(c) Transportation Delays

Except in cases of negligence, the carrier shall not be liable for delays caused by highway obstructions, faulty or impassable highways, absence of roads, bridges, or ferries, vehicle breakdowns, or mechanical defects of vehicles or equipment.

(d) Storage-in-Transit

Except in cases of negligence, the carrier shall not be liable for loss, damage, or delay occurring while the property is stopped, held, or stored in transit at the request of the shipper, owner, or any party entitled to make such a request, whether made before or after the carrier takes possession of the property.

(e) Quarantine

In the event of quarantine, the property may be discharged into a quarantine depot or other designated location at the owner’s risk and expense, as required by applicable regulations. The carrier’s responsibility shall cease upon such discharge. Alternatively, the property may be returned to the owner at the owner’s expense, including transportation charges in both directions.

The carrier shall not be liable for quarantine expenses, disinfection costs, detention, loss, or damage resulting from quarantine requirements or enforcement actions. The carrier, its agents, and officers shall not be responsible for advising on quarantine laws or regulations. The shipper agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the carrier from any expenses, penalties, damages, or liabilities arising from the transportation of property into any jurisdiction where applicable laws or regulations may be violated.