Common Sea Freight Scams and How to Avoid Them

Most sea freight transactions are straightforward, but new importers are sometimes targeted by scams that exploit unfamiliarity with the process. Knowing the common patterns is the best protection.

Common Scam Patterns

• Fake or altered Bill of Lading documents used to claim payment before goods actually ship
• Unlicensed “freight forwarders” who take payment and disappear, with no real booking made
• Pressure to pay full freight cost upfront to an individual’s personal account rather than a registered business account
• Suspiciously low freight quotes designed to lure a booking before extracting additional “fees” later

How to Protect Yourself

Verify any freight forwarder’s registration and reputation before paying, insist on booking confirmations directly from the shipping line where possible, and be wary of any request to pay to a personal rather than business account.

If Something Feels Off

Trust your instinct if a deal feels rushed, a price seems too good, or a forwarder avoids answering direct questions about their registration or references. A legitimate operator won’t mind being checked.

If you’re unsure whether a quote or forwarder you’re dealing with is legitimate, ask us — we’re happy to sanity-check it even if you’re not booking with us.