Equipment shipped away after Shanghai court intervenes

Officials from Shanghai Maritime Court inspect the goods stored at Lianyungang port. -- Ti Gong

A BATCH goods worth US$2.78 million, on the verge of being auctioned by the Customs after having been stranded at port for nearly half a year over money disputes, was shipped away within three days after the Shanghai Maritime Court intervened.

The infrastructure equipment had been planned to be shipped from Japan to Kazakhstan, via China’s Lianyungang port. But the logistics company, based in Shenzhen City, left the goods at Lianyungang after it arrived on November 29, 2016.

The Shenzhen company claimed that its Kazakhstan client didn’t pay for the transportation fee and threatened to leave the goods at the port unless it pays  debts.

Under China Customs rules, goods which were shipped to another country via China should be shipped out in six months. If not, Customs can start an auction.

On May 10, the Kazakhstan company turned to Shanghai Maritime Court for help. Investigation showed the Kazakhstan company had paid the transportation fee while the Shenzhen company mistook it for one of its debtors. So the court filed an injunction the next day, ordering the Shenzhen company to ship the goods as soon as possible.

The shipment started last Sunday.

Source : By Li Qian Shanghaidaily.com