N.C. Gen. Stat. § 25-9-333: Priority of certain liens arising by operation of law.

(a) "Possessory lien." - In this section, "possessory lien" means an interest, other than a security interest or an agricultural lien:

(1) Which secures payment or performance of an obligation for services or materials furnished with respect to goods by a person in the ordinary course of the person's business;

(2) Which is created by statute or rule of law in favor of the person; and

(3) Whose effectiveness depends on the person's possession of the goods.

(b) Priority of possessory lien. - A possessory lien on goods has priority over a security interest in the goods unless the lien is created by a statute that expressly provides otherwise. (1965, c. 700, s. 1; 1975, c. 862, s. 7; 2000-169, s. 1.)