The Marking of Heavy Packages Act, 1951 has been enacted to give effect to the International Convention drawn up in Geneva on the 30th day of May, 1929, for the marking of weight on heavy packages transported by sea or inland waterways. Under the provisions of this Act "heavy package" means a package or other object weighing not less than one metric ton, which is equal to one thousand Kg or 2204.6 standard pounds or 26.8 standard mounds and "inland waterway" means any canal, river, lake or other navigable water in India. This Act makes it obligatory for every person to mark the gross weight on heavy packages for transport by sea or inland water-way from any place in India and further provides that where it is difficult to determine the correct weight, only the approximate weight may be so marked.
