Delayed container stress...and more charges
Discussion
It's delivery time - my annual 20' box has arrived at Tilbury and we're awaiting delivery...
But wait! Maersk won't release it because some fees are outstanding from the shipping end...which is annoying as my supplier has paid upfront when the container left his yard.
This was on Friday last week. By Tuesday I'd tracked down my supplier (not able to attend his office on Friday due to a tropical storm and no power!) who grilled the shipping agent, and finally found some arcane charge payable - in UK pounds (this is in Puerto Rico).
Obviously none of this was apparent during the 4 week voyage.
After the Bank Holiday there's a derailment near Felixstowe meaning Maersk have to move all boxes by road, taking precedence over minor ports like Tilbury.
Then HMRC ask to do a partial unload. Luckily I've gladly paid my VAT and duty upfront (so nice to see thousands shifted from the current account against some email message - the entry docs won't be available until despatch).
No I'm told the earliest I can receive it is Wednesday next week - TEN FECKING DAYS LATE. There is no recourse on them - all monies are paid upfront. Nice work if you can get it. Even offering to engage a third party driver to collect makes no difference.
And because we're more than five days after unloading the port will charge rent on my container.
Oh, and several customers are getting ansty because we were out of stock and they've had to wait.
The joys of importing.
But wait! Maersk won't release it because some fees are outstanding from the shipping end...which is annoying as my supplier has paid upfront when the container left his yard.
This was on Friday last week. By Tuesday I'd tracked down my supplier (not able to attend his office on Friday due to a tropical storm and no power!) who grilled the shipping agent, and finally found some arcane charge payable - in UK pounds (this is in Puerto Rico).
Obviously none of this was apparent during the 4 week voyage.
After the Bank Holiday there's a derailment near Felixstowe meaning Maersk have to move all boxes by road, taking precedence over minor ports like Tilbury.
Then HMRC ask to do a partial unload. Luckily I've gladly paid my VAT and duty upfront (so nice to see thousands shifted from the current account against some email message - the entry docs won't be available until despatch).
No I'm told the earliest I can receive it is Wednesday next week - TEN FECKING DAYS LATE. There is no recourse on them - all monies are paid upfront. Nice work if you can get it. Even offering to engage a third party driver to collect makes no difference.
And because we're more than five days after unloading the port will charge rent on my container.
Oh, and several customers are getting ansty because we were out of stock and they've had to wait.
The joys of importing.
I've had similar woes.
Customs decided to do an X-Ray, we paid for that.
Customs decided to do a spot check so we had to pay storage for that.
When they came to do the spot check, Customs decided that as the contents were fumigated 5 weeks ago they'd have to wait for the container to air, so we waited for that. And paid more storage.
Customs decided to do an X-Ray, we paid for that.
Customs decided to do a spot check so we had to pay storage for that.
When they came to do the spot check, Customs decided that as the contents were fumigated 5 weeks ago they'd have to wait for the container to air, so we waited for that. And paid more storage.
Well it's due tomorrow and, joy of joys, they've levied another £210 in storage fees (£35 per day - what is it central effing London??).
Somehow I have to find an alternative to Maersk that also runs the same routes...not easy as the local freight forwarders just use whoever they usually book (and presumably get some commission from?).
Somehow I have to find an alternative to Maersk that also runs the same routes...not easy as the local freight forwarders just use whoever they usually book (and presumably get some commission from?).
Speak to Kuhne & Nagel UK office and ask for an all in rate, they are normally pretty competitive.
Alternatively, I am sure MSC run a line to Tilbury, but there is always delays at Tilbury as the port cannot handle the volume of containers that pass through it.
Unfortunately there is no customer loyalty with container lines, even if you were bringing in x 000's of containers per month, they would still try to screw you.
Alternatively, I am sure MSC run a line to Tilbury, but there is always delays at Tilbury as the port cannot handle the volume of containers that pass through it.
Unfortunately there is no customer loyalty with container lines, even if you were bringing in x 000's of containers per month, they would still try to screw you.
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