Customs processing for international shipping can drastically extend delivery timelines for international shipments. In some cases, questions about the contents of a shipment might lead to intensive review and delays lasting months or longer.
In those scenarios, those waiting to receive imported goods or raw materials may receive items that are past their expiration date or that have degraded in quality substantially due to the amount of time that has passed. Business leaders may need to negotiate complicated insurance claims or prepare for civil litigation in cases where mistakes by exporters or shipping companies resulted in significant customs delays.
Many goods degrade over time
Obviously, any food products could become unusable due to customs delays. Imported health and beauty products have become relatively popular in recent years. Korean beauty brands are quite in demand among domestic consumers. They have a limited shelf life as well.
Even certain raw materials used for industrial purposes, such as chemical compounds, may break down and degrade due to lengthy delays in the shipping process. In some cases, they may no longer meet the necessary standards established by an industry. Other times, they may not meet contractual standards or a company’s internal quality metrics.
In those cases, the compromised shipment may end up being a total loss or may generate substantially less revenue than it otherwise might. Insurance claims and litigation can both be options for those impacted by international shipping challenges, including delays related to customs.
Reviewing shipping contracts, chemical assessments and other evidence of product degradation with a skilled legal team can be valuable for those worried about taking a loss due to a delayed shipment. Customs and international shipping matters can be very complex, making the insight of a specialized legal professional potentially very valuable.