Said to Contain (STC)
Said to Contain (STC) — with related wordings like “shipper's load, stow and count” (SLAC) — is a clause on a bill of lading noting that the carrier records the container's contents as declared by the shipper and has not verified them. When a shipper packs and seals a full container (FCL), the carrier accepts the sealed box without checking what is inside or counting the pieces.
The clause limits the carrier's liability for the description and quantity of the goods inside a shipper-sealed container: the carrier is responsible for the container as received, but not for a discrepancy between the declared and actual contents it never saw. It reflects the reality of containerised shipping and shifts responsibility for accurate declaration and packing onto the shipper — an important point in cargo claims and documentation.
Nobody at the shipping line opens a sealed FCL container to verify its contents — so the bill of lading says "said to contain" to make clear the description came from the shipper, not the carrier. That single clause decides who is liable when the declared and actual contents differ, which is why it matters in every cargo claim on a shipper-packed box.
What does "said to contain" mean on a bill of lading?
That the carrier is recording the container's contents as declared by the shipper, without having verified or counted them.
Why does STC matter for claims?
It limits the carrier's liability for the contents of a shipper-sealed container, shifting responsibility for accurate declaration onto the shipper.