(1) A warehouse operator has a lien against the bailor on the goods covered by a warehouse receipt or on the proceeds thereof in his or her possession for charges for storage or transportation (including demurrage and terminal charges), insurance, labor, or charges present or future in relation to the goods, and for expenses necessary for preservation of the goods or reasonably incurred in their sale pursuant to law. If the person on whose account the goods are held is liable for like charges or expenses in relation to other goods whenever deposited and it is stated in the receipt that a lien is claimed for charges and expenses in relation to other goods, the warehouse operator also has a lien against him or her for such charges and expenses whether or not the other goods have been delivered by the warehouse operator. But against a person to whom a negotiable warehouse receipt is duly negotiated a warehouse operator's lien is limited to charges in an amount or at a rate specified on the receipt or if no charges are so specified then to a reasonable charge for storage of the goods covered by the receipt subsequent to the date of the receipt. A warehouse operator's lien as provided in this chapter takes priority over all other liens and perfected or unperfected security interests.

     (2) The warehouse operator may also reserve a security interest against the bailor for a maximum amount specified on the receipt for charges other than those specified in subsection (1) of this section, such as for money advanced and interest. Such a security interest is governed by the Article on Secured Transactions (*Article 9).

     (3) A warehouse operator's lien for charges and expenses under subsection (1) of this section or a security interest under subsection (2) of this section is also effective against any person who so entrusted the bailor with possession of the goods that a pledge of them by him or her to a good faith purchaser for value would have been valid but is not effective against a person as to whom the document confers no right in the goods covered by it under RCW 62A.7-503.

     (4) A warehouse operator loses his or her lien on any goods which he or she voluntarily delivers or which he or she unjustifiably refuses to deliver.

[2011 c 336 § 832; 1987 c 395 § 1; 1965 ex.s. c 157 § 7-209. Cf. former RCW sections: RCW 22.04.280 through 22.04.330; 1913 c 99 §§ 27 through 32; RRS §§ 3613 through 3618.]

NOTES:

     *Reviser's note: Article 62A.9 RCW was repealed in its entirety by 2000 c 250 § 9A-901, effective July 1, 2001. For later enactment, see Article 62A.9A RCW.