Case Studies

An article on how to safeguard cargo release using the correct type of bill of lading.. This article is based on a case study information received from one of the readers..

Even as the world of shipping and trade continues to battle with exceptionally high freight rates, cargo rollovers, container and space shortages, fraudulent freight forwarders and their scams seems to be raging on..

Below is a live case study from the USA which I received from a reader, which I am opening up to my readers to comment on..

A question from a reader about an issue with a certification agency which lead to the reader's containers being stopped by customs in China.. Comments welcome..

Carrier refuses to show commercial and sales information relating to the cargo on the bill of lading.. Are they being pedantic or are they right..??

Freight forwarders are an integral part of the supply chain and global trade, involved in handling goods using all modes of transport (sea, road, rail and air)..

However, many people are still unaware of Who is a Freight Forwarder and their role in the whole chain.. There is no one simple and quick explanation as to who is a freight forwarder and what they do..

In the most succinct and layman terms, a Freight Forwarder is a multi-function agent/operator who undertakes to handle the movement of goods from point to point on behalf of the cargo owner..

The essence of freight forwarding is to ensure that the cargo is picked up from the seller and delivered to the buyer at the required place, at the right price, and in the same condition that it is picked up from origin using the most suitable resources and routing possible..

Freight Forwarders however sometimes face situations which holds them liable merely due to them representing customers or handling shipments on behalf of customers..

Here is a real life example from Singapore..

Here is a live case study about a freight forwarder’s liability on uncleared cargo where the shipping line is holding the freight forwarder liable for an uncleared cargo even though the delivery order has been issued..

Share your opinion on the same..

This article is a live case study about release of cargo by an agent without house bill of lading.. I invite all of you to comment on the recourse available to the freight forwarder in this interesting case..

Article discussing a dispute between a shipper and his agent relating to the shipment of the goods, ETA and freight.. This maybe an eye opener for several other people who maybe in this predicament or situation and need to know these intimate details of shipping..

On this blog and many others, the issues surrounding VGM (I can hear people say "yawn") and its relationship or requirement for safety has...

A pictorial view of the consequences of container weight misdeclaration..

I received a question from one of the readers (Abhisesh) seeking help regarding issuance of House Bill of Lading and Master Bill of lading for his shipment..

Here is an actual case study from a reader regarding their import shipment from China to South Africa seeking advise on how to mitigate risks against negligent behavior by a freight forwarder..

This is an update to my original article "House Bill of Lading is Dangerous" where we had some discussions surrounding the safety aspect or...

Is there a link between the demurrage charged by the shipping line and Incoterms®..?? This question was prompted by the below question from one of the readers.. Thank you Rizwan.. We have received huge shipment from our suppliers on CFR basis In the Bill of lading the Consignee is To The order of Seller and our company name is in Notify party. The seller has sent us the original Bill of lading 20 days after the vessel has arrived at destination port. Hence there is a delay in clearing the goods. Can the shipping line claim demurrage charges from us or they should put claim on seller /shipper since the shipping line contract is with the seller and not us

In this article I will examine a reader's question as below, regarding Reefer containers, PTI and liability due to incorrect temperature setting.. We booked a shipment with a shipping line and we asked the containers temp should be +10, however the PTI was made -10 which damaged our goods. Now the question is are we responsible as shippers or our transporters to check the temperature in the container before stuffing? or to verify the PTI report? knowing that our Bill of Lading read +10 as we requested.

Cargo is moving from A to C under a through bill of lading.. B is the transhipment port.. There are some customs inspections at transhipment point B for which the shipping line is asking the client to pay.. Client says that the shipping line should be liable.. Can the shipping line be held liable..?? Contribute your thoughts..

A question from a reader about his liability and responsibility in returning empty containers after unpack..

When answering my last post Question regarding cargo under Letter of Credit, I mentioned that part bills could be a solution for two shipments in a same container where part of the cargo is covered by L/C and the other part is not.. However, there are several criteria/requirement in order for the carrier to be able to issue Part Bills of Lading and for the customer to accept Part Bills of Lading for this particular scenario.. We will examine these criteria/requirements in this post..

If a cargo has been abandoned at the destination, is the freight forwarder that booked the cargo responsible or liable to the shipping line..?? Let's see the answer to this important question..