Importing Container

[inquisitive lobster]

Hi,

 

I wanted to know what would happen if I were to import a container and it got seized by customs. 

Would I be liable for all the storage charges accumulated while it is in Customs possession?

Is there any way to forfeit ownership of the container?

 

Looking forward to your replies.

 

Regards,

IL

[Naam]

liable yes,

forfeit no.

[inquisitive lobster]

What about Demurrage Charges?

Would I be liable for any Demurrage Charges, as I would not be able to clear the container as it is in Customs Possession.

 

Regards,

IL

[luk AJ]

What about Demurrage Charges?
Would I be liable for any Demurrage Charges, as I would not be able to clear the container as it is in Customs Possession.
 
Regards,
IL

Absolutely


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[Kwasaki]

2 hours ago, inquisitive lobster said:

I wanted to know what would happen if I were to import a container and it got seized by customs. 

Come on will you a full description of what would be in the container would help.

If it's illegal it would be seized of course.

You still have to pay the shipping agents.

 

Edited May 15, 2019 by Kwasaki

[inquisitive lobster]

3 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Come on will you a full description of what would be in the container would help.

If it's illegal it would be seized of course.

You still have to pay the shipping agents.

 

Thanks for the reply.

The goods aren't illegal, it's just bad documentation.

For Example, instead of putting on "Frozen Pre-Packaged Meat Snack" on the documents, I put "Deceased Animal".

As such customs saw fit to seize the container and said they would destroy  the contents.

After seizing the container and deciding to destroy it, they held it for quite a long time without doing anything. In that time the Demurrage costs built up and now I am looking at paying a substantial amount in demmurage costs that surpass the value of the container after which the items will be destroyed.

Hence the reason why I am looking to either Forfeit ownership of the container OR avoid paying demmurage.

Hope this clears up any misunderstandings. 

[Naam]

1 hour ago, inquisitive lobster said:

instead of putting on "Frozen Pre-Packaged Meat Snack" on the documents, I put "Deceased Animal".

[Kwasaki]

1 hour ago, Naam said:

Exactly I dunno about you but talk about shooting yourself in the head never mind the foot.

[ratcatcher]

Was this a Reefer container by any chance, since the contents were supposedly frozen?

How many deceased animals made up the container of Pre-packaged meat snacks?

Is English your first language? After all, the meat freezers at Makro are packed with "Deceased animals, fish and birds:"

[inquisitive lobster]

1 hour ago, ratcatcher said:

Was this a Reefer container by any chance, since the contents were supposedly frozen?

 How many deceased animals made up the container of Pre-packaged meat snacks?

Is English your first language? After all, the meat freezers at Makro are packed with "Deceased animals, fish and birds:"

Hi There,

 

Thanks for the reply.

I'm going to assume by reefer you meant Refrigerated and not marijuana ???? 

For this example, I am going to say yes the container was refrigerated and it was all made up of beef (cow).

English is my first language yes but I am using this as an example.

What I would like to know are what are my options for removing or reducing the demurrage costs which Customs caused by seizing the container and not allowing me to clear it.

 

Also I assumed that when Customs seize a container, they normally move it to one of their warehouses until they can destroy the contents. Can anyone verify this?

 

[ratcatcher]

40 minutes ago, inquisitive lobster said:

Hi There,

 

Thanks for the reply.

I'm going to assume by reefer you meant Refrigerated and not marijuana ???? 

For this example, I am going to say yes the container was refrigerated and it was all made up of beef (cow).

English is my first language yes but I am using this as an example.

What I would like to know are what are my options for removing or reducing the demurrage costs which Customs caused by seizing the container and not allowing me to clear it.

 

Also I assumed that when Customs seize a container, they normally move it to one of their warehouses until they can destroy the contents. Can anyone verify this?

 

You didn't mention the size 20', 40' or where the container & contents originated, (USA?). As it was a temperature controlled container, who was responsible for maintaining the temperature level of the "can" after landing.

Where was the unit landed in Thailand, Bangkok or Laem Chabang? 

"Frozen, pre-packed meat snacks" (Beef jerky style?)

[NCC1701A]

4 hours ago, Naam said:

[quandow]

This thread smells like the refrigeration gave out and the meat's gotten rotten.

[monkeycu]

1 hour ago, inquisitive lobster said:

Hi There,

 

Thanks for the reply.

I'm going to assume by reefer you meant Refrigerated and not marijuana ???? 

For this example, I am going to say yes the container was refrigerated and it was all made up of beef (cow).

English is my first language yes but I am using this as an example.

What I would like to know are what are my options for removing or reducing the demurrage costs which Customs caused by seizing the container and not allowing me to clear it.

 

Also I assumed that when Customs seize a container, they normally move it to one of their warehouses until they can destroy the contents. Can anyone verify this?

 

You are that far up  ???? creek it aint funny.

You stuff up the import docs and cry about demurrage.

So the shipping company has to take a loss on your behalf.

And don't forget you will be hit up for the power to run the freezer.

I would love to be in the office when you get shown the real world

[inquisitive lobster]

7 minutes ago, monkeycu said:

You are that far up  ???? creek it aint funny.

You stuff up the import docs and cry about demurrage.

So the shipping company has to take a loss on your behalf.

And don't forget you will be hit up for the power to run the freezer.

I would love to be in the office when you get shown the real world

Hi There,

 

This is an example I am using for explanation purposes only.

The import documents were a result of lack of information on my brokers end, but the product imported is perfectly legal.

Customs decided to destroy the container when they seized it, however once they made the decision to destroy it, I was unable to clear the container or move it to another bonded location  where it would avoid demurrage charges.

This is not first time I am importing this exact container with the exact wording on the documents and the only explanation customs gave me as to why the container was seized went along the lines of "Before Ok, Now Not Okay".

I've been on this forum for a number of years now and I know that there are people with high intellect and troves of experience here, but from your response I can tell that you are neither. That being said I would like to thank you for the response and the good chuckle ???? 

[inquisitive lobster]

31 minutes ago, quandow said:

This thread smells like the refrigeration gave out and the meat's gotten rotten.

HI,

 

Thanks for the response.

The situation I described was only an example.

The problem is I am aware that in other countries when customs takes a container for inspection or to be seized, they move it off the port and into a private bonded area. If this is the case I do not understand how I am liable for demurrage charges from the shipper if the container was not in their possession or using any of their space.

The other problem I have is why Customs would not allow me to have cleared the container first and then release it to them so that they could destroy it and I wouldn't have to accrue any demurrage cost.

 

[inquisitive lobster]

1 hour ago, ratcatcher said:

You didn't mention the size 20', 40' or where the container & contents originated, (USA?). As it was a temperature controlled container, who was responsible for maintaining the temperature level of the "can" after landing.

Where was the unit landed in Thailand, Bangkok or Laem Chabang? 

"Frozen, pre-packed meat snacks" (Beef jerky style?)

Hello Again,

 

Thanks for taking an interest in this dilemma of mines, I really do appreciate it.

The actual product imported is not a perishable item but is perfectly legal, I was only using the "Frozen, pre-packed meat snacks" as an analogy to help explain the situation better, but I see it may have complicated things. For now we can treat the product as something not perishable but legal.

The unit landed in LaemChabang and it was a 40ft container that did not originate from a first-world country.

 

The problem I have is that I am aware that in other countries when Customs takes a container for inspection or to be seized, they move it off the port and into a private bonded area. If this is the case I do not understand how I am liable for demurrage charges from the shipper if the container was not in their possession or using any of their space.

The other problem I have is why Customs would not allow me to have cleared the container first and then release it to them so that they could destroy it and I wouldn't have to accrue any demurrage cost.

 

I'm open to any reasonable suggestions as to how to deal with this problem.

 

 

[quandow]

9 minutes ago, inquisitive lobster said:

The situation I described was only an example.

 

And my reply was an example of what to expect when you give us incomplete or made up information.

[Naam]

8 hours ago, inquisitive lobster said:

Also I assumed that when Customs seize a container, they normally move it to one of their warehouses until they can destroy the contents. Can anyone verify this?

it's the container company which levies some of the charges and customs charges you for "hosting" your container. it is irrelevant whether the container is in the port or a customs warehouse.

Edited May 15, 2019 by Naam

[Naam]

6 hours ago, inquisitive lobster said:

The problem I have is that I am aware that in other countries when Customs takes a container for inspection or to be seized, they move it off the port and into a private bonded area. If this is the case I do not understand how I am liable for demurrage charges from the shipper if the container was not in their possession or using any of their space.

your problem is that you overlook that the shipping company cannot use the container and levies charges.

[Naam]

6 hours ago, inquisitive lobster said:

but the product imported is perfectly legal.

Customs decided to destroy the container when they seized it

that means customs decided it's illegal.

[monkeycu]

8 hours ago, inquisitive lobster said:

Hi There,

 

This is an example I am using for explanation purposes only.

The import documents were a result of lack of information on my brokers end, but the product imported is perfectly legal.

Customs decided to destroy the container when they seized it, however once they made the decision to destroy it, I was unable to clear the container or move it to another bonded location  where it would avoid demurrage charges.

This is not first time I am importing this exact container with the exact wording on the documents and the only explanation customs gave me as to why the container was seized went along the lines of "Before Ok, Now Not Okay".

I've been on this forum for a number of years now and I know that there are people with high intellect and troves of experience here, but from your response I can tell that you are neither. That being said I would like to thank you for the response and the good chuckle ???? 

And I am amazed that you claim the container will be destroyed. 

The contents yes, but the container?

By the way once goods are in a bond store you cant move them out prior to all fees being paid.

You are right I have never imported goods into Thailand.

Australia is another story.

The onus is on you to ascertain  all paperwork is completed in the correct way.

Try and get responsible people to complete your show you how to declare your goods in future

If nothing else your misfortune has brought a smile to many faces

[inquisitive lobster]

10 hours ago, quandow said:

And my reply was an example of what to expect when you give us incomplete or made up information.

HI,

The information is sensitive so I thought it necessary to use hypothetical but similar circumstances.

But thanks for your interest in my dilemma, it's much appreciated.

[inquisitive lobster]

Hi, 

 

Thanks again for taking an interest in this situation.

I've tried my best to answer your statements as seen below:

 

4 hours ago, Naam said:

it's the container company which levies some of the charges and customs charges you for "hosting" your container. it is irrelevant whether the container is in the port or a customs warehouse.

It's my understanding that the entire reason for Demmurage charges was to prevent a buildup of containers on the port as having a lack of space can affect the efficiency of loading and unloading. So if the container is not on the port, then it is not affecting the loading and unloading efficiency of the port and therefore should not be liable to demmurage. 

 

 

 

4 hours ago, Naam said:

your problem is that you overlook that the shipping company cannot use the container and levies charges.

That's a fair assessment as the container is in use and the shipping company cannot use it, however wouldn't that be classified under container rental and not demmurage?

 

 

 

4 hours ago, Naam said:

that means customs decided it's illegal.

Okay, if they decide it's illegal, then why not let me release the container to them immediately so that they can destroy it?

 

 

[inquisitive lobster]

2 hours ago, monkeycu said:

And I am amazed that you claim the container will be destroyed. 

The contents yes, but the container?

By the way once goods are in a bond store you cant move them out prior to all fees being paid.

You are right I have never imported goods into Thailand.

Australia is another story.

The onus is on you to ascertain  all paperwork is completed in the correct way.

Try and get responsible people to complete your show you how to declare your goods in future

If nothing else your misfortune has brought a smile to many faces

 

Hello again,

When I referred to the container being destroyed, it was inferred that the contents would be destroyed and not the actual container. That is self explanatory ????

For example when you say that you drink a bottle of water, you aren't actually drinking the bottle but its' contents.

Another example is if you say you're going to eat a Big Mac, I would naturally assume that you would remove the wrapper or cardboard box before eating it otherwise I imagine it would pose a great choking hazard everytime you ate one.

 

Regarding your next comment "By the way once goods are in a bond store you cant move them out prior to all fees being paid."

My problem is that they would not let me pay any fees once the decision to destroy the container was made by Customs, so I was forced to wait without being able to release the container to them, hence the build up of fees.

 

Onto the next comment "The onus is on you to ascertain  all paperwork is completed in the correct way. Try and get responsible people to complete your show you how to declare your goods in future."

This is not the first time I have imported this exact container with the exact same wording on the documents, hence the reason why I was surprised by this turn of events. The broker I use is very good at what he does and is very honest, which is quite a rare quality to find amongst all people nowadays.

 

And finally "If nothing else your misfortune has brought a smile to many faces"

Well if there was a silver lining to all this... ???? 

 

[monkeycu]

37 minutes ago, inquisitive lobster said:

 

Hello again,

When I referred to the container being destroyed, it was inferred that the contents would be destroyed and not the actual container. That is self explanatory ????

For example when you say that you drink a bottle of water, you aren't actually drinking the bottle but its' contents.

Another example is if you say you're going to eat a Big Mac, I would naturally assume that you would remove the wrapper or cardboard box before eating it otherwise I imagine it would pose a great choking hazard everytime you ate one.

 

Regarding your next comment "By the way once goods are in a bond store you cant move them out prior to all fees being paid."

My problem is that they would not let me pay any fees once the decision to destroy the container was made by Customs, so I was forced to wait without being able to release the container to them, hence the build up of fees.

 

Onto the next comment "The onus is on you to ascertain  all paperwork is completed in the correct way. Try and get responsible people to complete your show you how to declare your goods in future."

This is not the first time I have imported this exact container with the exact same wording on the documents, hence the reason why I was surprised by this turn of events. The broker I use is very good at what he does and is very honest, which is quite a rare quality to find amongst all people nowadays.

 

And finally "If nothing else your misfortune has brought a smile to many faces"

Well if there was a silver lining to all this... ???? 

 

Enjoy your time trying to deal with Thai Customs, they are the same rules as Immigration.

10 people 10 ways to do it. Maybe a handful of baht may have helped out

[Naam]

6 hours ago, inquisitive lobster said:

Okay, if they decide it's illegal, then why not let me release the container to them immediately so that they can destroy it?

you are a TV-member since 2015 Lobster and i assume you live in Thailand since then, perhaps even longer. can't you think of a reason why the contents of the container was considered illegal?

 

in 2004 i shipped a 40 foot high-cube container, volume 76m³, loaded to the brim from Florida to Thailand. the container was delivered with the lock intact which a friend who supervised the loading has put. hint... hint...