Agents encouraged to act quickly

International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) has warned agents to respond to shippers’ requests in good time or face financial penalties. The insurer cites a recent case where a container of frozen beef was being carried from Australia to China. Seven days after the vessel had departed, the shipper noticed that it had failed to obtain the necessary health declaration from the Australian authorities. The shipper immediately contacted its agent and instructed them to return the container to Australia on its arrival in China and without clearing Chinese customs.