The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA) 46 United States Code §§ 1300-1315 INDEX TO The Carriage of Goods By Sea Act § 1300 Bills of lading subject to chapter. § 1301 Defenitions. § 1302 Duties and rights of carrier. § 1303 Responsibilities of carrier and ship. § 1304 Rights and immunities of carrier and ship. § 1305 Surrender of rights; increase of liabilities; charter parties; general average. § 1306 Special agreement as to particular goods. § 1307 Agreement as to liability prior to loading or after discharge. § 1308 Rights and liabilities under other provisions. § 1309 Discrimination between competing shippers. § 1309 Discrimination between competing shippers. § 1311 Liabilities before loading and after discharge; effect on other laws. § 1312 Scope of chapter; "United States"; "foreign trade." § 1313 Suspension of provisions by President. § 1314 Effective date; retroactive effect. § 1315 Short title. § 1301 Defenitions. When used in this chapter -- (a) The term "carrier" includes the owner or the charterer who enters into a contract of carriage with a shipper. (b) The term "contract of carriage" applies only to contracts of carriage covered by a bill of lading or any similar document of title, insofar as such document relates to the carriage of goods by sea, including any bill of lading or any similar document as aforesaid issued under or pursuant to a charter party from the moment at which such bill of lading or similar document of title regulates the relations between a carrier and a holder of the same. (c) The term "goods" includes goods, wares, merchandise, and articles of every kind whatsoever, except live animals and cargo which by the contract of carriage i...