ARTICLE 3. Common Carriers of Property [2194. - 2205.]

Cal. Civil Code - CIV 3.

in effect

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 2194. Section 2194.

Unless the consignor accompanies the freight and retains exclusive control thereof, an inland common carrier of property is liable, from the time that he accepts until he relieves himself from liability pursuant to Sections 2118 to 2122, for the loss or injury thereof from any cause whatever, except: 1. An inherent defect, vice, or weakness, or a spontaneous action, of the property itself; 2. The act of a public enemy of the United States, or of this State; 3. The act of the law; or, 4. Any irresistible superhuman cause.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 2195. Section 2195.

A common carrier is liable, even in the cases excepted by the last section, if his want of ordinary care exposes the property to the cause of the loss.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § [2196.] Section [2196.]

Section Twenty-one Hundred and Ninety-six. A common carrier is liable for delay only when it is caused by his want of ordinary care and diligence.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 2197. Section 2197.

(a) Liability for storage or equipment rental charges assessed against a motor carrier by a railroad or steamship company shall be as follows if the charges arise out of a delay caused by the consignor or consignee of the freight: (1) The consignor is liable to the motor carrier for the charges if the consignor caused the delay. (2) The consignee is liable to the motor carrier for the charges if the consignee caused the delay. (b) Nothing in this section shall affect the rights, duties, and obligations between a railroad or steamship company and a motor carrier.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 2197.5. Section 2197.5.

(a) In addition to the liability established by Section 2197, the consignee is liable to the motor carrier for the charges if the freight is shipped prepaid and the delay was caused by either the consignor or the consignee. (b) Nothing in this section shall affect the rights, duties, and obligations between a railroad or steamship company and a motor carrier.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § [2200.] Section [2200.]

Section Twenty-two Hundred. A common carrier of gold, silver, platina, or precious stones, or of imitations thereof, in a manufactured or unmanufactured state; of timepieces of any description; of negotiable paper or other valuable writings; of pictures, glass, or chinaware; of statuary, silk, or laces; or of plated ware of any kind, is not liable for more than fifty dollars upon the loss or injury of any one package of such articles, unless he has notice, upon his receipt thereof, by mark upon the package or otherwise, of the nature of the freight; nor is such carrier liable upon any package carried for more than the value of the articles named in the receipt or the bill of lading.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 2203. Section 2203.

In respect to any service rendered by a common carrier about freight, other than its carriage and delivery, his rights and obligations are defined by the Titles on Deposit and Service.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § [2204.] Section [2204.]

Section Twenty-two Hundred and Four. If, from any cause other than want of ordinary care and diligence on his part, a common carrier is unable to deliver perishable property transported by him, and collect his charges thereon, he may cause the property to be sold in open market to satisfy his lien for freightage.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 2205. Section 2205.

The liability of any stageline, transfer company, or other common carriers operating over the public highways for the loss of or for damage to any baggage shall not exceed the sum of five hundred dollars ($500) for each trunk and its contents; two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for each valise, suitcase or traveling bag and its contents; or two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for each box, bundle, or package and its contents, unless a higher valuation is declared at the time of delivery of such baggage to the carrier and assented thereto in writing by such carrier. All baggage presented to the carrier for checking shall be appropriately tagged by the owner with his name and address.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026