District Of Columbia § 28:7-203 - Liability for nonreceipt or misdescription.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 28:7-203 — Liability for nonreceipt or misdescription., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 28:7-203. Liability for nonreceipt or misdescription.
28:7-203A party to or purchaser for value in good faith of a document of title, other than a bill of lading, that relies upon the description of the goods in the document may recover from the issuer damages caused by the nonreceipt or misdescription of the goods, except to the extent that:
The document conspicuously indicates that the issuer does not know whether all or part of the goods in fact were received or conform to the description, such as a case in which the description is in terms of marks or labels or kind, quantity, or condition, or the receipt or description is qualified by “contents, condition, and quality unknown”, “said to contain”, or words of similar import, if the indication is true; or
The party or purchaser otherwise has notice of the nonreceipt or misdescription.
Annotations
“Value”. Section 1-204.
“Receipt of goods”. Section 2-103.
“Purchaser”. Section 1-201.
“Party”. Section 1-201.
“Notice”. Section 1-202.
“Issuer”. Section 7-102.
“Good Faith”. Section 1-201 [7-102].
“Goods”. Section 7-102.
“Document of title”. Section 1-201.
“Conspicuous”. Section 1-201.
Section 7-301.
This section is a simplified restatement of existing law as to the method by which a bailee may avoid responsibility for the accuracy of descriptions which are made by or in reliance upon information furnished by the depositor. The issuer is liable on documents issued by an agent, contrary to instructions of its principal, without receiving goods. No disclaimer of the latter liability is permitted.
Changes to this section are for style only.
Former Section 7-203.
“Value”. Section 1-201.
“Receipt of goods”. Section 2-103.
“Purchaser”. Section 1-201.
“Party”. Section 1-201.
“Notice”. Section 1-201.
“Issuer”. Section 7-102.
“Goods”. Section 7-102.
“Document of title”. Section 1-201.
“Document”. Section 7-102.
“Conspicuous”. Section 1-201.
Sections 7-301 and 7-203.
This section is a simplified restatement of existing law as to the method by which a bailee may avoid responsibility for the accuracy of descriptions which are made by or in reliance upon information furnished by the depositor. The issuer is liable on documents issued by an agent, contrary to instructions of his principal, without receiving goods. No disclaimer of the latter liability is permitted.
New section confined to problem of non-receipt and misdescription.
Section 20, Uniform Warehouse Receipts Act.
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 28:7-203
What does D.C. Code § 28:7-203 cover?
Section 28:7-203 ("Liability for nonreceipt or misdescription.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 28:7-203?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 28:7-203" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 28:7-203 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.