Shipping Companies Impose Heavy Fines for Misdeclaration of Dangerous Goods; Shippers and Consignees Jointly Liable
Publish Time: 2025-10-29 Origin: Site
Recently, Maersk announced the imposition of fines for the misdeclaration of dangerous goods. Through economic penalties and liability tracing, it clarifies customer responsibilities, aiming to enhance supply chain safety.
Cargoes with incorrect declaration of dangerous goods (including incorrect, incomplete, or false declaration) or failure to submit dangerous goods declarations in accordance with the IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code) are all regarded as "misdeclaration".
Fine Standards
Global base fee: $5,000 per Bill of Lading
China: $15,000 per misdeclared container
Liability Undertaking
Shippers and consignees shall jointly bear all consequences caused by misdeclaration, including but not limited to:
Claims for corrective action costs
Fines and legal liabilities
Compensation for cargo loss and delay
Other operational costs (such as inspection and detention fees)
Misdeclaration of dangerous goods is a long-standing problem in the shipping industry. Incorrect declaration may lead to accidents such as explosions and leaks during transportation, threatening the lives of crew members, ship safety, and the marine environment. Some customers intentionally conceal the nature of goods to evade supervision or reduce costs, resulting in safety loopholes in the industry.
By imposing high fines and making shippers/consignees jointly liable, shipping companies force customers to declare goods in compliance with regulations and reduce transportation risks.