LCL Shipment on hold

[chowiekid]

Hey Guys

Not sure if this is common, but first time this has happened to us.

We have 2 import orders that didn't make up a full container load so were shipped together as LCL.
All documents line up how they should do.

The goods landed on the 7th and we have paid all import and duty, we were then told that the container was held for inspection by trading standards.

I assume this is normal procedure and they are looking to find out if any counterfeit goods or un friendly items are within the container.

However our forwarder has now informed us we are to be liable for storage fees.

I find this slightly annoying as our shipments are just a single automotive tool and specialist sanding sheets. (we import 1000s of the same items monthly with no issues)
So if there is anything wrong with the container its likely to be what ever else has been mixed within the container to make up the load.

Why should we be liable for storage fees when there is a good chance its not any fault of ours.

Does any one have any experiences of how long this can take to be sorted out, the shipper seems pretty clueless.

We ship a lot of product in monthly and this is the first time for us

Cheers in advance

[dxbexpress]

Sorry to hear.

Did you use a forwarding agent? or DIY?

[davepoth]

chowiekid said:

Does any one have any experiences of how long this can take to be sorted out, the shipper seems pretty clueless.

We ship a lot of product in monthly and this is the first time for us

Cheers in advance

We do a fair few export LCLs a week, with lots of different forwarders (some Ex-Works, some carriage paid). The process is that your forwarder likely doesn't have enough cargo to fill a container every week, so will have either passed your cargo out to another company to make up a full container or brought cargo in from another forwarder for the same purpose. There's a chance that the company they've subbed it out to will have done the same.

You don't have any idea what is in the container with your goods. It might be fine, or it might not be - that's just the joys of LCL unfortunately. My guess is that something else in your container has been stopped by HMRC for some reason or other, and it's those goods that are causing the hold-up.

I'm surprised that you're being charged if it isn't your fault and I'd definitely query that with the forwarder. I'd also push them a little harder for information and action.

And just one general point. Any forwarder looks good when everything goes according to plan, but it's only when it all goes tits up that they really earn their money. It's often worth a couple of quid more to get one that provides a decent service.

[Chris200]

chowiekid said:

Hey Guys

Not sure if this is common, but first time this has happened to us.

We have 2 import orders that didn't make up a full container load so were shipped together as LCL.
All documents line up how they should do.

The goods landed on the 7th and we have paid all import and duty, we were then told that the container was held for inspection by trading standards.

I assume this is normal procedure and they are looking to find out if any counterfeit goods or un friendly items are within the container.

However our forwarder has now informed us we are to be liable for storage fees.

I find this slightly annoying as our shipments are just a single automotive tool and specialist sanding sheets. (we import 1000s of the same items monthly with no issues)
So if there is anything wrong with the container its likely to be what ever else has been mixed within the container to make up the load.

Why should we be liable for storage fees when there is a good chance its not any fault of ours.

Does any one have any experiences of how long this can take to be sorted out, the shipper seems pretty clueless.

We ship a lot of product in monthly and this is the first time for us

Cheers in advance

Can be totally normal, however not normally for trading standards. Most likely there is freight on the container that customs want to inspect and sadly this holds up the entire container and not just the particular shipment.

I work for a forwarder and if you need any quotes or advise happy to give.

[chowiekid]

All sorted thankfully.
Stock arrived Yesterday.

And shockingly didn't get charged

[Chris200]

chowiekid said:

All sorted thankfully.
Stock arrived Yesterday.

And shockingly didn't get charged

Good news and you shouldn't have been charged anyway. The consignee or consignor who's freight has been inspected is the one that is responsible....but it's a quick way for a forwarder to make a few extra ££.

I quite often have an open book policy with my customers, especially on Asia imports, where we agree a set margin that I have on the freight costs a they are so volatile, could be $2.35 p/kg in from PVG-LHR one day and $3.05 the next on air freight and container rates $800 per TEU one week and next they are up to $1200.......it is such a mess.

Would love to give you some rates and service options chowiekid.......no harm in looking