Malaysia - Abandoned Cargo Advice

What are the main reasons for abandonments in a certain country? Do the reasons differ for certain ports?
  • No proper import permits
  • Wrong declaration (fraud cases)
  • Cargo shelf life overdue and not fit for consumption (perishable cargo)
  • Trade dispute between consignee and shipper
Do the local authorities interfere? If so, why and after how many days?
  • Local authorities will interfere after shipping line advise the abandoned containers after 120 days
  • Authorities involved are: Free Zone Authority (PKA), Customs Preventive, Malaysia Quarantine and Inspection (MAQIS), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Environment (DOE) and Terminal/port opeartor.
  • FZA - as Free Zone Authority.
  • Customs / Preventive - any taxable declarations, import permits & mis-declared
  • MAQIS - mainly involved for food items, import duties.
  • DOE - authority for DG permits and scheduled wastes cargo.
  • DOH - import permits and perishable shelf life for meats and similar products
What are the options to get the cargo released once it is ceased by the local authorities?
  • Based on local regulations and the relevant Authority involved and as per their advice, either to salvage, dispose or return to port of origin.
  • By monitoring and constant follow up with the Authorities for faster release of cargo and containers.
Can the cargo be auctioned and/or disposed?
  • Cargo can be auctioned or disposed of -
  • Based on condition of the cargo with approval from relevant Authorities - can be salvaged / auctioned with proper documentation or declaration (to be borne by the new buyer) or disposed off.
  • Local regulations - either dispose off locally or return to port of origin
What are the requirements?
  • We need to inform FZA and Other Government Agencies (OGA) for inspection with Terminal representation.
  • Based on inspection of cargo, OGA to advice next course of action. to either allow for salvage or if non-salvageable condition, to be disposed
  • All documentation required are furnished, and payment of Custom Duties/Government Charges, Port Charges and other costs are settled
How long does this process take?
  • This process will take at least 4 to 8 weeks. or more based on the Authorities advice
Are the ports willed to waive the storage / electricity costs once the issue has been resolved, at least partially?
  • For Salvage cargo - all storage will be borne by the new buyer of the cargo.
  • For disposal - Westports - Only storage charges is partially waived.
  • Northport - No waiver given, but a small discount (partial) if requested in writing
  • For reefer cargo, no waiver at all for electricity on the Reefer Monitoring Charges
Source of Information

Spica Services

Staff Author

UK P&I

Date01/02/2018

Tags

You may also be interested in:

The Chinese government lifts COVID-19 restrictions

Recently, and in particular during the summer period, the Club has noticed a spike in stowaway cases, hence the below article serves as a refresher on what is already known as well as an update on the practical problems and implications for Owners that may arise in connection with the disembarkation and repatriation of stowaways.

In our last article, we discussed the role that transitional fuels will play in the industry’s drive towards net zero

Marpol Annex VI requires ships to reduce SOx emissions either by burning low sulphur fuel or by cleaning the exhaust gas. Exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), also known as "scrubbers", have been fitted onboard many ships as an acceptable equivalent method of compliance under Marpol Annex VI.