해상운송물품의 숨은 하자와 고유한 하자에 관한 법적 쟁점

A carrier is not liable at common law for loss or damage which results exclusively from some inherent quality or latent defect of the cargo carried. The exception is most frequently invoked in the case of perishable goods such as fruit or fish which in the normal course of events are likely to deteriorate in quality during transit. A more recent definition of inherent vice is the risk of deteriorations of the goods shipped as a result of their natural ordinary behaviour in the ordinary course of the contemplated voyage without the intervention of any fortuitous external accident or casualty. Latent defect does not mean latent to the eye. It means latent to the senses, that is, it may be hammer-tested, or there may be any other test. In international trade transactions, it is general that the risks transfer from seller to buyer on shipment in both FOB and CIF contracts. It is arguable, however, that the buyer should still takes on a risks, for instance, when the seller sent the goods due to latent and inherent vice or insufficient packing without any considerations as to the character of the particular voyage. The policy underlying the defence seems to be that is the shipper or seller rather than the carrier who should know about the inherent and latent characteristics of the goods shipped and so should bear responsibility for them. Under above the background, This paper is intended to explore various ways that the seller should be liable for the loss of or damage to the goods due to latent and inherent vice or insufficient packing in transit since the risks presumptively passes from seller to buyer on shipment.