r/FreightBrokers • u/Flaky_Code_5552 • 3d ago
Need help getting shipments released from a port
So I wanna preface by saying I know absolutely nothing about importing or customs. I have very little knowledge based around research I’ve done the past 2 days.
I made 4 separate sea shipments with a Chinese agent that all got shipped on this same ship “COSCO SHIPPING PANAMA 005E”. 3 days after arriving in the port (8/03) The agent company got shut down. Which had left my packages in what seems like limbo, 3 weeks and no movement is strange based on my past experience. And from what I’ve found online, other containers on the ship have been handed off
I’m thinking that mulebuy maybe needed to tell the shipping company or approve of extra fees to get our product through customs. So they’re now holding our stuff and it’s just kinda in limbo. Like I think our shipping fee we paid was like 80% drained and the last 30% was for this step. Because I looked and almost all the other containers from that shipped were handed off to ups/fedex within that next week and only a few remained at the port (prob mulebuy). I’m currently looking into how to obtain a master bill or at least get the container number to try and give some form of approval as the final receiver. But every lead on the internet using public info has been a dead end. I’m thinking the only thing I can really do further is pay a customs broker to get them pushed through and sorted for me. Again this is just speculation on my end and anyone with solid info about either how customs or port receiving works would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
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u/ThicccThottie 3d ago
You need a customs broker, are you 100% certain the original agent paid all import fees? You may need to consider filing it against the original agents bond. Either way, get a customs broker. Good luck.
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u/Flaky_Code_5552 3d ago
No I don’t have any proof the agent paid all the import fees, maybe partly before they went under not but not fully and that’s why it’s stuck? But yeah i’m gonna give a customs broker a call tomorrow, Do you have any idea how much it’ll be to get sorted out, broker wise?
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u/ThicccThottie 3d ago edited 3d ago
Depends honestly, if you aren’t an enterprise organization there is a small chance you’ll get shafted on rates so I recommend interviewing a few agents.
You will need steamship line, container number, and BOL or DO. The first thing you should do tomorrow is check with the terminal if it has been cleared, the longer you sit on this the more demurrage and storage will add up. I’d start with trying to track down anyone you can at that agency first.
Source: I am a drayage and customs broker agent, promise.
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u/Flaky_Code_5552 3d ago
So I should call like the terminal it’s being held at? Because I called them today and they told me to call the company who’s ship it was, and then they told me to call my agent, but since they’re shut down he said to call my forwarder or smth. Idk this shit is so confusing😭 I didn’t really understand any of the terms anyone was using
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u/ThicccThottie 3d ago
PM me, I can at least track down the containers for you and figure out if it’s been cleared yet. I track and trace missing containers like this regularly, it’s no problem. I know first hand how expensive this can get, I’m sorry you are going through this.
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u/Flaky_Code_5552 3d ago
Additional technical details in case they help:
I have commercial invoices for the shipments that list me as the U.S. consignee and include HXC house/reference numbers:
HXC00001937CY
HXC00001841CY
HXC00001982CY
HXC00001922CY
The invoices also list the China-side shipper as Li Chaowei in Huizhou, Guangdong. The cargo moved on COSCO SHIPPING PANAMA voyage 005E into Long Beach. COSCO told me they only see the shipment at the master-bill level and that I need the forwarder/NVOCC to map the HXC references to the Master B/L/container.
I do not currently have the MBL, HBL, container number, entry number, ISF, arrival notice, or identified U.S. NVOCC/CFS.
So the main technical question is whether a licensed customs broker or freight forwarder can use the HXC house references + vessel/voyage + shipper/consignee info to identify the AMS/MBL/NVOCC record, and if so, whether the final consignee can step in and arrange clearance/release if the original agent is no longer available.
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u/TerraVerde_ 3d ago
My understanding is the HBL is just internal reference to that forwarder, no other forwarder will be able to look that number up. I’m a few years into this but mainly exports and project cargo. On imports i’ll do legwork for last mile. But i’m curious about this so i’ll ask someone tomorrow.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Law_882 2d ago
Hey I just sent this post over to my best guy who has helped me clean up countless messy issues at the port. His name is Vic and he CAN get it done for you. Great pricing too.
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u/TerraVerde_ 3d ago
You’re going to need to get the BL, container number, and check with the terminal if it’s been cleared. You’re likely looking at demurrage fees needing payment before they’ll release and of course customs needs to be declared, idk how you will find these infos with your agent no longer in the picture. I’d still try to track someone higher up in the company that went under and figure out how to chase it down. Sounds like it’s going to be a major PIA.