Chapter 407

407.102 History History: 2009 a. 322.

407.103 407.103 Relation of chapter to treaty or statute.

407.103(1) (1) This chapter is subject to any treaty or statute of the United States or a regulatory statute of this state to the extent the treaty, statute, or regulatory statute is applicable.

407.103(2) (2) This chapter does not repeal or modify any law prescribing the form or contents of a document of title or the services or facilities to be afforded by a bailee, or otherwise regulating a bailee’s businesses in respects not specifically treated in this chapter. However, violation of such a law does not affect the status of a document of title that otherwise complies with the definition of a document of title.

407.103(3) (3) This chapter modifies, limits, and supersedes the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 USC 7001 to 7031, but does not modify, limit, or supersede section 101 (c) of that act, 15 USC 7001 (c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in section 103 (b) of that act, 15 USC 7003 (b).

407.103(4) (4) To the extent there is a conflict between ch. 137 and this chapter, this chapter governs.

407.103 History History: 2009 a. 322; 2019 a. 125.

407.104 407.104 Negotiable and nonnegotiable document of title.

407.104(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (3), a document of title is negotiable if by its terms the goods are to be delivered to bearer or to the order of a named person.

407.104(2) (2) A document of title other than one described in sub. (1) is nonnegotiable. A bill of lading that states that the goods are consigned to a named person is not made negotiable by a provision that the goods are to be delivered only against an order in a record signed by the same or another named person.

407.104(3) (3) A document of title is nonnegotiable if, at the time it is issued, the document has a conspicuous legend, however expressed, that it is nonnegotiable.

407.104 History History: 2009 a. 322.

407.105 407.105 Reissuance in alternative medium.

407.105(1) (1) Upon request of a person entitled under an electronic document of title, the issuer of the electronic document may issue a tangible document of title as a substitute for the electronic document if all of the following apply:

407.105(1)(a) (a) The person entitled under the electronic document surrenders control of the document to the issuer.

407.105(1)(b) (b) The tangible document when issued contains a statement that it is issued in substitution for the electronic document.

407.105(2) (2) Upon issuance of a tangible document of title in substitution for an electronic document of title in accordance with sub. (1), all of the following apply:

407.105(2)(a) (a) The electronic document ceases to have any effect or validity.

407.105(2)(b) (b) The person that procured issuance of the tangible document warrants to all subsequent persons entitled under the tangible document that the warrantor was a person entitled under the electronic document when the warrantor surrendered control of the electronic document to the issuer.

407.105(3) (3) Upon request of a person entitled under a tangible document of title, the issuer of the tangible document may issue an electronic document of title as a substitute for the tangible document if all of the following apply:

407.105(3)(a) (a) The person entitled under the tangible document surrenders possession of the document to the issuer.

407.105(3)(b) (b) The electronic document when issued contains a statement that it is issued in substitution for the tangible document.

407.105(4) (4) Upon issuance of the electronic document of title in substitution for a tangible document of title in accordance with sub. (3), all of the following apply:

407.105(4)(a) (a) The tangible document ceases to have any effect or validity.

407.105(4)(b) (b) The person that procured issuance of the electronic document warrants to all subsequent persons entitled under the electronic document that the warrantor was a person entitled under the tangible document when the warrantor surrendered possession of the tangible document to the issuer.

407.105 History History: 2009 a. 322.

407.106 407.106 Control of electronic document of title.

407.106(1) (1) A person has control of an electronic document of title if a system employed for evidencing the transfer of interests in the electronic document reliably establishes that person as the person to which the electronic document was issued or transferred.

407.106(2) (2) A system satisfies sub. (1), and a person is deemed to have control of an electronic document of title, if the document is created, stored, and assigned in such a manner that satisfies all of the following:

407.106(2)(a) (a) A single authoritative copy of the document exists which is unique, identifiable, and, except as otherwise provided in pars. (d), (e), and (f), unalterable.

407.106(2)(b) (b) The authoritative copy identifies the person asserting control as one of the following:

407.106(2)(b)1. 1. The person to which the document was issued.

407.106(2)(b)2. 2. If the authoritative copy indicates that the document has been transferred, the person to which the document was most recently transferred.

407.106(2)(c) (c) The authoritative copy is communicated to and maintained by the person asserting control or its designated custodian.

407.106(2)(d) (d) Copies or amendments that add or change an identified assignee of the authoritative copy can be made only with the consent of the person asserting control.

407.106(2)(e) (e) Each copy of the authoritative copy and any copy of a copy is readily identifiable as a copy that is not the authoritative copy.

407.106(2)(f) (f) Any amendment of the authoritative copy is readily identifiable as authorized or unauthorized.

407.106 History History: 2009 a. 322.

subch. II of ch. 407 SUBCHAPTER II

WAREHOUSE RECEIPTS: SPECIAL PROVISIONS

407.201 407.201 Person that may issue a warehouse receipt; storage under bond.

407.201(1) (1) A warehouse receipt may be issued by any warehouse.

407.201(2) (2) If goods, including distilled spirits and agricultural commodities, are stored under a statute requiring a bond against withdrawal or a license for the issuance of receipts in the nature of warehouse receipts, a receipt issued for the goods is deemed to be a warehouse receipt even if issued by a person that is the owner of the goods and is not a warehouse.

407.201 History History: 2009 a. 322.

407.202 407.202 Form of warehouse receipt.

407.202(1) (1) A warehouse receipt need not be in any particular form.

407.202(2) (2) Unless a warehouse receipt provides for each of the following, the warehouse is liable for damages caused to a person injured by its omission:

407.202(2)(a) (a) The location of the warehouse facility where the goods are stored.

407.202(2)(b) (b) The date of issue of the receipt.

407.202(2)(c) (c) The unique identification code of the receipt.

407.202(2)(d) (d) A statement whether the goods received will be delivered to the bearer, to a named person, or to a named person or its order.

407.202(2)(e) (e) The rate of storage and handling charges, but if goods are stored under a field warehousing arrangement, a statement of that fact is sufficient on a nonnegotiable receipt.

407.202(2)(f) (f) A description of the goods or the packages containing them.

407.202(2)(g) (g) The signature of the warehouse or its agent.

407.202(2)(h) (h) If the receipt is issued for goods that the warehouse owns, either solely, jointly, or in common with others, the fact of that ownership.

407.202(2)(i) (i) A statement of the amount of advances made and of liabilities incurred for which the warehouse claims a lien or security interest, but if the precise amount of advances made or of liabilities incurred is, at the time of the issue of the receipt, unknown to the warehouse or to its agent that issued the receipt, a statement of the fact that advances have been made or liabilities incurred and the purpose of the advances or liabilities is sufficient.

407.202(3) (3) A warehouse may insert in its receipt any terms that are not contrary to chs. 401 to 411 and do not impair its obligation of delivery under s. 407.403 or its duty of care under s. 407.204. Any contrary provisions are ineffective.

407.202 History History: 2009 a. 322.

407.203 407.203 Liability for nonreceipt or misdescription. A 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 any of the following apply:

407.203(1) (1) 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.

407.203(2) (2) The party or purchaser otherwise has notice of the nonreceipt or misdescription.

407.203 History History: 2009 a. 322.

407.204 407.204 Duty of care; contractual limitation of warehouse’s liability.

407.204(1) (1) A warehouse is liable for damages for loss of or injury to the goods caused by its failure to exercise care with regard to the goods that a reasonably careful person would exercise under similar circumstances. However, unless otherwise agreed, the warehouse is not liable for damages that could not have been avoided by the exercise of that care.

407.204(2) (2) Damages may be limited by a term in the warehouse receipt or storage agreement limiting the amount of liability in case of loss or damage beyond which the warehouse is not liable. Such a limitation is not effective with respect to the warehouse’s liability for conversion to its own use. The warehouse’s liability, on request of the bailor in a record at the time of signing such storage agreement or within a reasonable time after receipt of the warehouse receipt, may be increased on part or all of the goods covered by the storage agreement or the warehouse receipt. In this event, increased rates may be charged based on an increased valuation of the goods.

407.204(3) (3) Reasonable provisions as to the time and manner of presenting claims and commencing actions based on the bailment may be included in the warehouse receipt or storage agreement.

407.204 History History: 2009 a. 322.

407.205 407.205 Title under warehouse receipt defeated in certain cases. A buyer in ordinary course of business of fungible goods sold and delivered by a warehouse that is also in the business of buying and selling such goods takes the goods free of any claim under a warehouse receipt even if the receipt is negotiable and has been duly negotiated.

407.205 History History: 2009 a. 322.

407.206 407.206 Termination of storage at warehouse’s option.

407.206(1) (1) A warehouse, by giving notice to the person on whose account the goods are held and any other person known to claim an interest in the goods, may require payment of any charges and removal of the goods from the warehouse at the termination of the period of storage fixed by the document of title or, if a period is not fixed, within a stated period not less than 30 days after the warehouse gives notice. If the goods are not removed before the date specified in the notice, the warehouse may sell them pursuant to s. 407.210.

407.206(2) (2) If a warehouse in good faith believes that goods are about to deteriorate or decline in value to less than the amount of its lien within the time provided in sub. (1) and s. 407.210, the warehouse may specify in the notice given under sub. (1) any reasonable shorter time for removal of the goods and, if the goods are not removed, may sell them at public sale held not less than one week after a single advertisement or posting.

407.206(3) (3) If, as a result of a quality or condition of the goods of which the warehouse did not have notice at the time of deposit, the goods are a hazard to other property, the warehouse facilities, or other persons, the warehouse may sell the goods at public or private sale without advertisement or posting on reasonable notification to all persons known to claim an interest in the goods. If the warehouse, after a reasonable effort, is unable to sell the goods, it may dispose of them in any lawful manner and does not incur liability by reason of that disposition.

407.206(4) (4) A warehouse shall deliver the goods to any person entitled to them under this chapter upon due demand made at any time before sale or other disposition under this section.

407.206(5) (5) A warehouse may satisfy its lien from the proceeds of any sale or disposition under this section but shall hold the balance for delivery on the demand of any person to which the warehouse would have been bound to deliver the goods.

407.206 History History: 2009 a. 322.

407.207 407.207 Goods must be kept separate; fungible goods.

407.207(1) (1) Unless the warehouse receipt provides otherwise, a warehouse shall keep separate the goods covered by each receipt so as to permit at all times identification and delivery of those goods. However, different lots of fungible goods may be commingled.

407.207(2) (2) If different lots of fungible goods are commingled, the goods are owned in common by the persons entitled thereto and the warehouse is severally liable to each owner for that owner’s share. If, because of overissue, a mass of fungible goods is insufficient to meet all the receipts the warehouse has issued against it, the persons entitled include all holders to which overissued receipts have been duly negotiated.

407.207 History History: 2009 a. 322.

407.208 407.208 Altered warehouse receipts. If a blank in a negotiable tangible warehouse receipt has been filled in without authority, a good faith purchaser for value and without notice of the lack of authority may treat the insertion as authorized. Any other unauthorized alteration leaves any tangible or electronic warehouse receipt enforceable against the issuer according to its original tenor.

407.208 History History: 2009 a. 322.

407.209 407.209 Lien of warehouse.

407.209(1) (1) A warehouse has a lien against the bailor on the goods covered by a warehouse receipt or storage agreement or on the proceeds thereof in its possession for charges for storage or transportation, including demurrage and terminal charges, insurance, labor, or other charges, present or future, in relation to the goods, and for expenses necessary for preservation of the goods or reasonably incurred in their sale pursuant to law. If the person on whose account the goods are held is liable for similar charges or expenses in relation to other goods whenever deposited, and it is stated in the warehouse receipt or storage agreement that a lien is claimed for charges and expenses in relation to other goods, the warehouse also has a lien against the goods covered by the warehouse receipt or storage agreement or on the proceeds thereof in its possession for those charges and expenses, whether or not the other goods have been delivered by the warehouse. However, as against a person to which a negotiable warehouse receipt is duly negotiated, a warehouse’s lien is limited to charges in an amount or at a rate specified in the warehouse receipt or, if no charges are so specified, to a reasonable charge for storage of the specific goods covered by the receipt subsequent to the date of the receipt.

407.209(2) (2) The warehouse may also reserve a security interest under ch. 409 against the bailor for the maximum amount specified on the receipt for charges other than those specified in sub. (1), such as for money advanced and interest. A security interest is governed by ch. 409.

407.209(3) (3) A warehouse’s lien for charges and expenses under sub. (1) or a security interest under sub. (2) is also effective against any person that so entrusted the bailor with possession of the goods that a pledge of them by the bailor to a good faith purchaser for value would have been valid. However, the lien or security interest is not effective against a person that before issuance of a document of title had a legal interest or a perfected security interest in the goods and that did not do any of the following:

407.209(3)(a) (a) Deliver or entrust the goods or any document covering the goods to the bailor or the bailor’s nominee with actual or apparent authority to ship, store, or sell; or with power to obtain delivery under s. 407.403; or with power of disposition under s. 402.403, 409.320, 409.321 (3), 411.304 (2), or 411.305 (2), or other statute or rule of law.

407.209(3)(b) (b) Acquiesce in the procurement by the bailor or its nominee of any document.

407.209(4) (4) A warehouse’s lien on household goods for charges and expenses in relation to the goods under sub. (1) is also effective against all persons if the depositor was the legal possessor of the goods at the time of deposit. In this subsection, “household goods” means furniture, furnishings, or personal effects used by the depositor in a dwelling.