Section 7, Act, 1894, as amended by any subsequent enactment, or the

Nothing herein contained shall prevent a carrier or a shipper fromentering into any agreement, stipulation, condition, reservation or exemption as to the responsibility and liability of the carrier or the ship for the loss or damage to or in connection with the custody and care and handling of goods prior to the loading on and subsequent to the discharge from the ship on which the goods are carried by sea.