Don't forget detention charges

A ship agent was advised by a shipping line that with effect from 1st January 2007, all containers in Indian Ports would be subject to a new import detention charge handled on behalf of their principal. These charges are paid by the importers to the agent, who receives the funds on behalf of its principal when the importers take delivery of the containers.

Unfortunately, due to an oversight, the member failed to apply these new charges and therefore the sums received from the importers were less than they should have been.

The member reported the claim to ITIC who instructed the member to write to all importers attempting to explain the situation and recover the difference between what was paid and the charges that should have been received. Some money was recovered this way and ITIC settled the balance.