49 U.S.C. § 80110 — Duty to deliver goods

(a) General Rules. Unless the carrier proves a legal excuse, it must deliver goods covered by a bill when demanded by the consignee named in a nonnegotiable bill or by the holder of a negotiable bill, if the demander—(1) in good faith offers to satisfy the carrier’s lien; (2) possesses the bill and, if negotiable, offers to indorse and give it to the carrier; and (3) agrees to sign a delivery receipt if the carrier requests one.

(b) Persons to Whom Goods May Be Delivered. Subject to section 80111, the carrier may deliver to—(1) a person entitled to possession; (2) the consignee named in a nonnegotiable bill; or (3) a negotiable-bill possessor if the goods are deliverable to that person’s order or the consignee or another indorsee indorsed the bill to that person or in blank.

(c) Common Carrier Claims of Title and Possession. A carrier’s claim that it owns or may possess the goods excuses nondelivery only if that title or right comes from a transfer by the consignor or consignee after shipment or from the carrier’s lien.

(d) Adverse Claims. If someone other than the consignee or bill possessor claims title or possession and the carrier knows of it, the carrier need not deliver until it has reasonable time to decide the claim’s validity or file a civil action requiring all claimants to litigate their claims together.

(e) Interpleader. If at least 2 people claim title or possession, the carrier may file such an action or require the claimants to litigate together as a defense in a nondelivery action.

(f) Third Person Claims Not a Defense. Except under subsections (b), (d), and (e), a third person’s title or right is not a defense to a consignee’s or bill holder’s nondelivery action unless enforced through legal process.