5 Ways Shipping Could Leave You Needing a Lawyer

Freight services are vastly underestimated in terms of their importance to the global economy. Sure, manufacturing bodies and creators and sales people are responsible for generating and trading goods, but international trade – even national trade – relies heavily on freight for goods to actually change hands. The shipping process is highly regulated, and for good reason, as minor divergences can have terrible consequences. To help you navigate this touchy subject, we explain five ways shipping could leave you needing a lawyer.

Hazardous Materials

When shipping hazardous materials, you can expect heavy regulation to keep everyone involved safe throughout the process. Failure to comply with legislature that governs the shipping of hazardous materials can land you in serious trouble and lead to fines and even imprisonment.
These are the most common mistakes that have arisen from transporting hazardous materials:
– Assuming the shipment is not hazardous
– Not considering differences in regulation across modes of freight
– Improperly trained employees handling goods

Sub-Par Documentation

Documentation is worth its weight in gold when it comes to shipping goods around the globe. A mountain of documents is required to ship goods, including but not limited to a bill of lading, certificates of origin, various licences and more. Errors and omissions can lead to your goods being withheld, and non-payment occurring. Making use of a professional and complete freight services provider can help minimise the risk and cost associated with incomplete documentation.

Theft of Cargo

Fraudulent behaviour is rife, and largely due to the lack of security and protection in the freight industry. Cargo theft can occur in various stages of the transportation process, and the risk is increased when you use a number of subcontractors and backdoor deals. Stick to reliable freight providers with a proven track record of integrity and shipping success.

Poor Insurance

It should go without saying that your cargo needs to be insured against hazards, those common and not. Damage due to rough handling or weather conditions are all common occurrences in the industry, and without the proper insurance you will be running around in circles chasing the coattails of your service provider.

Dodgy International Commerce Terms

The International Commerce Terms are a standardised set of rules that allow shippers and their clients to work together with mutual understanding. Legal issues can come up when discrepancies and unclear phrasing is found, leaving all parties unsure of who actually agreed to what. To remain transparent and accountable, it is best to give explicit detail in one’s Incoterms and cover each minute detail of the agreement.

Avoid the Mess with NHFS

New Horizon Freight Solution offers a complete range of freight services from shipping to trucking and more. You can learn more about our industry on our blog page where we post interesting and helpful articles about freight, logistics and shipping. Contact us to discuss how we can actualise your shipping requirements.