Section 1
SECTION 1. Section thirteen hundred and sixteen of Act Numbered Twenty-seven hundred and eleven, known as the Administrative Code, is hereby amended to read as follows: "SEC. 1316. Delivery of merchandise without production of bill of lading.—No collector of customs in any port of entry in the Philippine Islands other than Manila shall deliver imported merchandise to any person without the surrender by such person of the bill of lading covering said merchandise, except on written order of the carrier or agent of the importing vessel, in which case neither the Government of the Philippine Islands nor the collector of customs shall be held responsible for any damages arising from wrongful delivery of the merchandise: Provided, however, That where delivery of merchandise is made against such written order of the carrier or agent of the vessel, the collector of customs may, for the customs purposes, require the production of an exact copy of the bill of lading therefor, or the original bill of lading where entry of the merchandise is made under section twelve of the Philippine Tariff Act of nineteen hundred and nine, as amended, and to that end may accept bond or bonds conditioned for the subsequent production of the proper document." SEC. This Act shall take effect on its approval. Approved, March 16, 1923.