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HRS §490:2-509

Who bears the risk if goods are lost or damaged

This section explains when the buyer takes on the risk of loss for goods, meaning who is responsible if the goods are lost or damaged. It depends on how the goods are shipped, whether they are held by a warehouse, and whether the seller is a merchant. The parties can agree to different rules.

buyers

The statute, as written — Risk of loss in the absence of breach

(1) Where the contract requires or authorizes the seller to ship the goods by carrier: (a) If it does not require him to deliver them at a particular destination, the risk of loss passes to the buyer when the goods are duly delivered to the carrier even though the shipment is under reservation (section 490:2-505); but (b) If it does require him to deliver them at a particular destination and the goods are there duly tendered while in the possession of the carrier, the risk of loss passes to the buyer when the goods are there duly so tendered as to enable the buyer to take delivery. (2) Where the goods are held by a bailee to be delivered without being moved, the risk of loss passes to the buyer: (a) On the buyer's receipt of possession or control of a negotiable document of title covering the goods; (b) On acknowledgment by the bailee of the buyer's right to possession of the goods; or (c) After the buyer's receipt of possession or control of a nonnegotiable document of title or other direction to deliver in a record, as provided in subsection (4)(b) of section 490:2-503. (3) In any case not within subsection (1) or (2), the risk of loss passes to the buyer on his receipt of the goods if the seller is a merchant; otherwise the risk passes to the buyer on tender of delivery. (4) The provisions of this section are subject to contrary agreement of the parties and to the provisions of this article on sale on approval (section 490:2-327) and on effect of breach on risk of loss (section 490:2-510).
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§490:2-327 Rules for buying on approval or with return option

§490:2-505 What it means when a seller ships goods with a bill of lading

§490:2-510 Who bears the risk if goods are lost or damaged

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.