Inconsistencies between the Bill of Lading (B/L) and the cargo manifest (Manifest/M-FILE) are a frequent risk in international customs clearance. Minor issues can lead to delays and document amendments, while more serious issues can result in cargo detention, fines, and even affect future import and export credit.
Weefreight will now provide you with detailed explanations, hoping to be helpful.
I. Core Types of Discrepancies and Direct Customs Clearance Problems
- Inconsistent Consignee/Shipper Information
Discrepancies: Inconsistent company name spelling, address, tax number, or header information, or missing/incorrect notification party.
Customs Clearance Problems: Customs cannot confirm cargo ownership and the declaring entity, leading to rejection of the declaration; some countries (such as the EU and the US) require matching consignee EIN/tax numbers, and a mismatch will trigger manual review, causing delays of 1-3 days.
- Inconsistent Product Name, HS Code, and Description
Discrepancies: Simplified/missing product name, different HS codes, conflicting material/purpose descriptions.
Customs Clearance Problems: Classification disputes, tariff rate controversies; customs may require reclassification or provision of certificates of origin and test reports; sensitive goods (such as those with electrical components or counterfeit goods) are easily deemed to have false declarations, triggering inspection.
- Inconsistent Number of Packages, Gross Weight, and Volume
Discrepancies: Over- or under-declared number of packages, gross weight error exceeding 5%, volume inconsistent with packaging.
Customs Clearance Problems: Weight/quantity verification; release only after unpacking and verification; excessive discrepancies may be suspected of concealment, potentially treated as smuggling, extending cargo detention time to 3-7 days. 4. Inconsistent Container Number, Seal Number, and Vessel Name/Voyage Number
Discrepancies: Incorrect container number (one digit off), missing/incorrect seal number, vessel name/voyage number inconsistent with actual information.
Customs Clearance Issues: Inability to match the manifest with the cargo, automatic system lock on the order, requiring a correction letter from the shipping company, resulting in a cumbersome process and more severe delays during peak seasons.
- Inconsistent Trade Terms and Freight Payment Information
Discrepancies: Confusion between FOB/CIF, conflicting markings for freight prepaid/collect.
Customs Clearance Issues: Incorrect tax calculation, overpayment/underpayment of customs duties and VAT, requiring supplementary payments or refunds, a time-consuming process; some ports refuse to release goods due to inconsistent freight information.
II. Advanced Serious Consequences (High Frequency and High Cost)
Mandatory Inspection and Cargo Seizure
Information conflicts are deemed “high risk” by the system, triggering 100% manual/machine inspection, including unpacking, weighing, and document verification. Both full container loads and less-than-container loads may be seized, resulting in high demurrage/detention charges (US$200-500 per day).
Manifest Amendments and Fines
Requires applying to the shipping company for manifest correction, submitting a letter of guarantee and correction fees (US$300-1000 per bill of lading). In some countries (such as the US AMS/ISF, EU ENS), manifest amendments are extremely difficult or even impossible after the manifest is locked, leaving only the options of return or destruction.
Return/Destruction Risk
If key information (such as product name, consignor/consignee) cannot be corrected, or if there is suspected misdeclaration, customs may issue a return order, resulting in round-trip freight and demurrage charges; sensitive goods and prohibited items may be directly destroyed, resulting in a total loss of cargo value. Enterprise Credit Downgrade
Multiple instances of inconsistent information can lead to customs listing your company on a high-risk enterprise list, resulting in increased cargo inspection rates, permanently slower customs clearance times, and impacting long-term import and export business.
III. How to Prevent and Handle Emergencies
- Prevention (90% of problems can be avoided)
When booking: Carefully verify the bill of lading sample and manifest draft word for word, paying close attention to the consignor and consignee, product name, HS code, quantity, weight, dimensions, container number, and seal number;
Before the cut-off time: Confirm the information entered into the shipping company’s system, and confirm with the customer and freight forwarder to avoid “verbal changes not being recorded”;
Sensitive information: Ensure the product name is complete and standardized, pre-approve the HS code, and ensure the consignor/consignee tax number/company name matches the customs clearance documents.
- Emergency Handling (If inconsistencies are found)
Before arrival: Immediately contact the shipping company to issue a manifest correction letter, and simultaneously update the customs clearance system, striving to complete the correction before arrival;
After arrival: First apply for customs clearance extension to avoid overdue fees, then follow the formal amendment process, and cooperate with customs to provide supporting documents;
If amendment is not possible: Evaluate the cost of return/transshipment, or re-declare according to customs requirements, and bear the corresponding fines and inspection fees.
(Note: The above information regarding timeliness or costs is for reference only. Please refer to the actual situation during shipment for specific details. Thank you!)
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