The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, represening more than 100 national associations and 5,500 freight forwarding and logistics companies, has published new guidelines for dealing with abandoned goods. It is intended to help freight forwarders to deal with the exercise of liens, confiscation and claims by shipping lines.
Shipping lines do not usually deal with the shipper or consignee directly, but more often through the intermediary role of the freight forwarder. Abandoned goods, or uncollected goods, are those of which the consignee has shown no intention to take delivery after a reasonable period. This may include situations where the consignee cannot be found or has refused collection.