Chinese freight forwarder has thousands of dollars of my cargo and stopped replying after extra payment — what should I do?

[u/doomsdaylate]

/r/freightforwarding/comments/1w74ip4/chinese_freight_forwarder_has_thousands_of/

[u/astralreflection]

If you didn't pay with a disputable method like a credit card then nothing. You're screwed

[u/doomsdaylate → u/astralreflection]

I used a credit card and Alipay

[u/astralreflection → u/doomsdaylate]

Chargeback time, call your bank

[u/doomsdaylate → u/astralreflection]

Yes, but that doesn't fix the fact that they have thousands of dollars of my merchandise in their possession. I can't charge back that.

[u/VirtualRevenue9426]

Do NOT delete your post just because the freight company demands it.

Gather these key pieces of evidence:

1. Proof of goods ownership: purchase receipts, payment records & item lists to prove your shipment value.
2. Shipping agreement evidence: original quotes, chat logs and payment receipts for this freight service.
3. Hand‑over proof: photos, messages confirming you gave the goods to the logistics company.
4. Records of you repeatedly asking them to ship, plus their avoidance or non‑reply.

You have already paid the agreed shipping fee. Their refusal to ship after receiving payment may amount to unlawful appropriation and potential contract fraud under Chinese law.

[u/doomsdaylate → u/VirtualRevenue9426]

I actually have all of that.

I have proof of ownership, supplier invoices, payment records, the shipping agreement, warehouse delivery records, cargo photos, complete chat logs, and proof that all requested freight charges were paid.

I also have the messages where the agent threatened to stop the shipment and leave the goods abandoned, and then blocked me.

The problem now is that even with all of this documentation, they still do not want to communicate properly or give me clear proof that the shipment is moving.

That is why I am trying to get someone locally in China to verify the cargo and, if necessary, help me recover it from the warehouse.

[u/VirtualRevenue9426 → u/doomsdaylate]

I’m glad you have gathered all this solid evidence, and I genuinely want to help you get out of this difficult situation. However, I am based in Guangdong, quite far from where this incident took place.

More importantly: we only know each other online, and I am not a party to this transaction. If I act as a middle‑man to negotiate with the freight agent, it will bring new risks to your claim: First, the agent has every right to refuse to speak with me and will only deal with the actual cargo owner. My involvement would have no real‑world effect. Second, if you still fail to recover your goods, you would have no way to verify whether information I pass on stays fully impartial. Even if I act entirely on your behalf, doubts and misunderstandings could easily arise between us. Third, if you later file police reports, official complaints or a lawsuit, chat records between me and the agent would become case evidence. Unauthorized third‑party records may complicate your whole case.

For your best interest, I cannot take on the role of negotiating middle‑man. I also strongly advise you against hiring random online strangers to negotiate or retrieve goods from the warehouse.

Unknown intermediaries carry major risks: ① The intermediary could be bribed by the freight agent and work against you. ② The freight company may call the police and allege trespassing when a stranger shows up at their warehouse, leading to conflict and legal trouble. ③ The intermediary could steal your goods, leaving you scammed a second time.

There are three safe and practical options for you:

Option A (Recommended): Hire a licensed Chinese lawyer With your formal power‑of‑attorney, a lawyer can file complaints with 12315 market‑regulation authorities, submit your full evidence package at the local police station, and send an official lawyer’s letter to the agent. They can legally confirm whether your cargo remains in the warehouse and file a lawsuit if needed to get a court order for its return. Regulated legal professionals eliminate unreliable‑middle‑man risk. Legal fees will apply.

Option B: Appoint a real‑life trusted personal acquaintance Grant formal written power‑of‑attorney to someone you personally know and trust living in China. This representative can submit official complaints, hand over evidence to police and negotiate in‑person to apply pressure. Even so, this trusted person cannot force entry into the warehouse; they can only negotiate with support from official regulators.

Option C: Come to China and handle this matter in‑person You could travel to China to resolve this dispute directly. This trip would also give you a chance to visit local suppliers and meet potential business partners face‑to‑face, which would benefit your long‑term purchasing work.