Goods Picked Up, Payment Not Received, What to Do

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  • Jan 12, 2026 at 05:32
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I export machinery parts and gave a European client a 30-day credit period. As a result, the goods arrived at the destination port, the client picked up the goods with a copy of the bill of lading, and now the credit period has been over for half a month, payment hasn't been made, and emails and phone calls are not returned. I still hold the original bill of lading. What should I do now? Can the money still be recovered?

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Grace Wang
Grace WangYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Foreign Trade ConsultantStart a Chat

This situation is a typical loss of control over cargo rights，and evidence preservation procedures must be initiated immediately. First，immediately organize a full set of trade documents: contract，proforma invoice，original bill of lading，customs declaration form，packing list，email correspondence records，especially evidence proving the client has picked up the goods (destination port terminal pickup records，truck transport documents，etc.)，and notarize them all. Second，judge the nature of the event: if the client is temporarily defaulting due to operational difficulties，it is a commercial dispute，if the client never intended to pay from the beginning，it may involve international trade fraud，which requires immediate reporting to the economic investigation department of the public security organs and contacting the CCPIT to issue a commercial certificate. Third，initiate legal procedures: Entrust a local lawyer at the destination port to send a lawyer's letter to the client，and apply for property preservation to freeze their bank accounts or equivalent assets，if the amount is large (usually over $100,000)，consider initiating arbitration with the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission. Fourth，report the case to your export credit insurance company. If short-term export credit insurance is insured，this situation is within the scope of compensation. Finally，review: Why do you still hold the original bill of lading，but the goods were picked up? It is very likely that the shipping company released the goods without a B/L，which is the carrier's responsibility，and you can sue the shipping company.

Jason Wu
Jason WuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

International Logistics & Supply Chain ManagerStart a Chat

If the goods can be picked up, it means there is a fatal loophole in your cargo right voucher link. Don't panic, take three steps: First, immediately contact the carrier (shipping company or freight forwarder) and question in writing why the original bill of lading is still in your hands but the goods have been released, and require them to provide release records and basis. If it is a Telex Release, check who authorized it; if it is released against a letter of indemnity, it is a violation of regulations, and the shipping company must bear full responsibility. Second, synchronize contact with the destination port agent or a local customs broker you know to quickly find out the current status of the client's company — whether it is still operating normally, whether there are still goods in the warehouse, and whether there are signs of resale. This information determines whether you should rush to sue or negotiate. Third, check your cargo transport insurance. Some policies include "release without B/L" or "buyer credit risk" clauses, which can be compensated. In the long run, operational processes must be changed: 1) For new clients or high-risk areas, resolutely do not do telex release, must pick up goods with original B/L; 2) Consider using "straight bill of lading" instead of "order bill of lading" to increase the difficulty of resale; 3) Credit sales must be insured with export credit insurance, which is the bottom line.

Lucas Liu
Lucas LiuYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Operations ConsultantStart a Chat

If the client dares to pick up the goods without payment, it means they are betting that your cross-border rights protection cost is high. Now you must run on two tracks: applying pressure while leaving a way out. First, don't just send emails, send a formal dunning letter directly, cc the other company's CEO and CFO, explicitly giving a 7-day final deadline, after which legal proceedings will be initiated and they will be blacklisted in the industry. At the same time, find other senior executives of the client's company through LinkedIn or other channels to apply pressure indirectly — often non-payment is the personal behavior of the purchasing manager, and the boss does not know. Second, if the client responds but pleads poverty, immediately propose an installment payment plan: for example, in three installments, the first 50% within a week, and the remaining two 25% every other month, but the premise is to sign a repayment agreement and agree on default interest. This locks in the debt while giving the client a way out. Third, if the client is completely out of contact, immediately entrust a local debt collection company or law firm. They understand local pressure tactics better (such as door-to-door visits, credit records, etc.). The fee is usually "no collection, no fee", with a 20-30% cut, but it can be effective quickly. Finally, remember: The original bill of lading in your hand is your biggest bargaining chip. Even if the goods are picked up, you still own the goods and can claim "return of goods", which has more legal deterrence than simply chasing payment.

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