Demurrages? but…..It Wasn’t Our Fault!
As a freight forwarder, how often do you find yourself stuck in the middle of a blame game over unexpected charges? Is it the importer’s cost of doing business? The shipper’s error with documentation? Or maybe the terminal’s surprise invoice?
All too often, the destination forwarder ends up holding the bill. Importers, often strangers, go silent. Origin agents, focused on their own clients, shy away from responsibility. And the shipper? They’ve either never heard of demurrages or claim they didn’t get the memo.
At Security Cargo Network (SCN), we frequently see these scenarios between agents. Recently, two of our long-standing members,Best Services International (China)and Aramex Ireland, found themselves in this exact situation.
A shipment incurred unexpected airport storage fees. Aramex tried to recover the charges from the consignee, but discussions led nowhere. When the invoice landed back with BSI, their client in China had already moved on to other matters.
It’s the kind of situation that could easily escalate into tension between agents. But instead, these two companies prioritized their long-term relationship. The amount in dispute was relatively small, especially compared to the value of years of collaboration. In the end, they found a fair solution: splitting the cost.
Why take a hit for something that wasn’t your fault? Because partnerships built on trust and compromise pay off in the long run. A single invoice shouldn’t outweigh the benefits of a strong working relationship that drives future success.
Kudos to Best Services International and Aramex Ireland for turning a challenge into an opportunity to strengthen their partnership.
At SCN, we champion the long game. Freight forwarding isn’t just about resolving today’s disputes—it’s about building trust for tomorrow’s opportunities.
Security Cargo Network – Moving Forward Together.
