Kochi port has issued fresh guidelines for cargo clearance in the wake of complaints by expatriates against foreign freight forwarders, mainly from the Gulf countries.

The port in a statement issued here said that the consignor should find out specifically the identity of the counterpart of the freight forwarder in Kochi. Credentials of the cargo handler in the country of origin as well as his counterpart in India should be checked by the importer.

The fresh guidelines were issued following reports that some of the freight forwarders operating abroad, mainly in the Gulf countries, suddenly disappear leaving the importers cheated.

People abroad who entrust their goods to agencies offering the lowest price without checking their credentials are often cheated, the port officials said.

The port has asked people to check the list of registered customs house agents at Kochi at www.cchaa.org.

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