Under the Hague Rules and Hague-Visby Rules the carrier, master or agent need not insert any inaccurate statements on the bill of lading or give any details which he cannot reasonably check.
Where it is impossible for the carrier, ship or agent to ascertain the quantity and condition of the goods (e. g. with containerised cargo and some bulk cargoes) it is advisable to insert a remark to this effect, as in the question. If a suitable remark is not inserted, the carrier may be held liable, when the bill of lading has passed to a third party, for any difference in weights found on discharge.
