Mexican Light Co. v. Texas Mexican Railway Co., 331 U.S. 731 (1947)

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Mexican Light & Power Co., Ltd. v. Texas Mexican Railway Co.

No. 404

Argued February 6, 1947
Decided June 16, 1947
331 U.S. 731

CERTIORARI TO THE SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS

Syllabus

Goods destined for export by rail to Mexico were shipped from the point of origin over a series of connecting carriers under a bill of lading issued by the initial carrier and covering the shipment to the point of export on the Mexican border, the transportation charges being prepaid to that point. The last connecting carrier in the United States issued a new bill of lading which purported to cover the shipment to its ultimate destination in Mexico, but received no payment for transporting the goods other than its share of that paid to the initial carrier under the original bill of lading.

Held: under the Carmack Amendment, the second bill of lading was void, and the last connecting carrier in the United States is not liable for injuries to the goods incurred on a Mexican railroad between the border and their ultimate destination in Mexico. Pp. 733-735.

145 Tex. 50, 193 S.W.2d 964, affirmed.

A Texas state court denied a judgment against an American connecting railroad for injuries sustained on a Mexican railroad to goods exported from the United States. The Texas Court of Civil Appeals reversed. 190 S.W.2d 838. It was reversed by the Supreme Court of Texas. 145 Tex. 50, 193 S.W.2d 964. This Court granted certiorari. 329 U.S. 697. Affirmed, p. 735.