China

Soya bean license requirement

Licenses are now required to be issued by the Ministry Of Agriculture in China for import of soya bean, who will examine the quality of the soya bean. Due to the fluctuation soya bean market, it is possible that licences will not be issued or are issued after extensive delays which will prompt the cargo owner / trader to look for a reason to recoup his loss, which is usually from the shipowner.

It is important that shipowners do not give any opportunity for the cargo interest to transfer his loss onto the shipowner, which is usually be means of looking for technical breaches such as back dating, ante dating of bills of lading and any discrepancies or misdescription in the bills of lading, especially with regard to statements on quality or grade of cargo.