warehouseman's lien

A warehouseman’s lien is a legal right granted to a storage facility or warehouse operator, allowing them to retain possession of goods stored on their premises until outstanding charges or debts for storage, handling, or related services are paid by the owner of the goods. This lien serves as security to ensure payment for services rendered. If the fees remain unpaid for a specified period, the warehouse operator may have the right to sell the goods to recover the unpaid amounts.

[Last updated in July of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]