Legal Consequences and Coping Strategies of Abandoned Goods at Destination Port under Tariff Barriers

By: Lawyer Zhao Baolian

文章作者：赵宝莲

一

法律后果分析

Legal Consequences Analysis

1. 买方可能构成违约

若买方因目的国临时加征关税而拒绝提货，首先应审视合同中关于“交货义务”“税费承担”及“不可抗力”条款的具体规定。若合同明确指出买方需承担目的国税费，且未将关税变动列为不可抗力情形，则买方的弃货行为可能构成根本性违约，卖方有权依法追索违约责任及相应的损害赔偿。

在此情境下，买方不仅需承担违约责任，还可能面临信誉损失及未来合作机会减少的风险。同时，卖方在追索过程中，应准备好充分的证据材料，包括但不限于合同文本、交易记录、关税变动通知等，以证明买方的违约行为及自身的损失情况。此外，卖方还需考虑采取合适的法律途径，如国际仲裁或诉讼，以确保自身权益得到有效维护。

1. Buyer May Be in Breach of Contract

If the buyer refuses to take delivery of the goods due to the temporary imposition of customs duties in the destination country, he should first examine the specific provisions of the contract on "delivery obligation", "tax commitment" and "force majeure" clauses.If the contract clearly states that the buyer shall bear the taxes and fees of the destination country, and the tariff change is not listed as a force majeure situation, the buyer's abandonment of the goods may constitute a fundamental breach of contract, and the seller has the right to recover the liability for breach of contract and corresponding damages according to law.

In this scenario, the buyer not only needs to bear liability for breach of contract, but may also face the risk of reputation loss and reduced future cooperation opportunities.At the same time, in the process of recourse, the seller should prepare sufficient evidence materials, including but not limited to contract texts, transaction records, tariff change notices, etc., to prove the buyer's breach of contract and his own losses.In addition, the seller also needs to consider taking appropriate legal channels, such as international arbitration or litigation, to ensure that his rights and interests are effectively safeguarded.

2. 卖方面临实际损失

无人提货将直接导致卖方承担港口滞留费用（如滞港费、滞箱费、仓储费等），以及后续转卖或处置货物的相关费用。此外，卖方还可能面临信用受损和后续贸易机会流失的风险。若未及时处置，部分目的港可能会依据当地法律将货物视为弃货，进而导致货物被依法拍卖甚至销毁，进一步加剧损失。

更糟糕的是，卖方还可能因货物长时间滞留港口而面临仓储空间紧张的问题，这不仅会影响其正常的物流运作，还可能对其与港口的合作关系产生负面影响。此外，如果货物被依法拍卖或销毁，卖方除了经济损失外，还可能面临品牌形象受损的风险，这对于依赖良好商誉进行国际贸易的卖方来说，无疑是一个沉重的打击。因此，面对目的港无人提货的情况，卖方需要迅速采取行动，以减少损失并维护自身权益。

2. Seller Faces Real Economic Loss

No one picks up the goods will directly cause the seller to bear the port detention expenses (such as port detention fees, container detention fees, storage fees, etc.), as well as the related expenses of subsequent resale or disposal of the goods.In addition, the seller may also face the risk of credit damage and subsequent loss of trade opportunities.If it is not disposed of in time, some destination ports may regard the goods as abandoned goods according to local laws, which will lead to the goods being auctioned or even destroyed according to law, further exacerbating losses.

To make matters worse, the seller may also face the problem of tight warehousing space due to the long-term detention of the goods in the port, which will not only affect its normal logistics operation, but also negatively affect its cooperative relationship with the port.In addition, if the goods are auctioned or destroyed according to law, the seller may face the risk of brand image damage in addition to economic losses, which is undoubtedly a heavy blow to sellers who rely on good goodwill for international trade.Therefore, in the face of no one picking up the goods at the destination port, the seller needs to take quick action to reduce losses and safeguard his rights and interests.

3. 引发多地法律争议

若合同适用《联合国国际货物销售合同公约》（CISG）或涉及多地法律，弃货可能引发仲裁地选择、适用法律冲突、证据保全等一系列复杂法律问题，对中小型出口商而言尤为挑战重重。

这些问题不仅增加了解决争议的成本，还可能因法律解释的差异导致不确定性增加，影响企业的决策效率和风险控制。此外，不同法律体系下的诉讼程序和执行难度也可能大相径庭，使得卖方在追索损失时面临更多障碍。因此，对于涉及跨国交易的出口商而言，预防和妥善解决目的港无人提货问题，减少法律争议的发生，显得尤为关键。

3. Multijurisdictional Legal Disputes May Arise

If the contract applies to the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) or involves the laws of many places, the abandonment of goods may lead to a series of complex legal issues such as the selection of arbitration place, conflicts of applicable laws, and evidence preservation, which is particularly challenging for small and medium-sized exporters.

These problems not only increase the cost of dispute resolution, but also may lead to increased uncertainty due to differences in legal interpretation, which may affect the decision-making efficiency and risk control of enterprises.In addition, the difficulty of litigation procedures and enforcement under different legal systems can also vary significantly, making sellers face more obstacles when pursuing losses.Therefore, for exporters involved in cross-border transactions, it is particularly crucial to prevent and properly solve the problem of unmanned delivery at the port of destination and reduce the occurrence of legal disputes.

二

应对方法建议

Recommended Coping Strategies

1. 完善合同条款

在合同签署阶段，需特别关注以下要点：

首先合同中应当明确税费分担条款，以防因责任界定模糊而引发纠纷；其次一定注意要设置不可抗力条款，并且在不可抗力条款中，清晰界定关税政策突变是否属于免责范围；最后在复杂的国际形式下，买卖双方应当 约定弃货情形下的具体后果，包括货物自动回转、第三方转售及赔偿标准等相关事宜。

此外，还应考虑增加关于货物检验、验收以及质量标准的详细条款，确保在货物到达目的地后，买卖双方对货物的状态有明确的共识，避免因质量问题导致的弃货争议。同时，合同中应包含明确的争议解决机制，包括选择适用的法律、仲裁机构或法院，以及争议解决的具体流程和时限，以便在发生纠纷时能够迅速、有效地解决。此外，合同中还可以加入关于货物保险的相关条款，确保在运输过程中货物得到充分的保障，减少因意外事件导致的损失和风险。

1. Improve Contract Clauses

During the contract signing stage, special attention should be paid to the following points:

First of all, the tax sharing clause should be clearly specified in the contract to prevent disputes caused by vague definition of responsibility;Secondly, we must pay attention to setting a force majeure clause, and in the force majeure clause, clearly define whether the sudden change of tariff policy belongs to the scope of exemption;Finally, under the complex international form, buyers and sellers should agree on the specific consequences in the case of abandonment, including automatic turnover of goods, third-party resale, compensation standards and other related matters.

In addition, consideration should be given to adding detailed clauses on inspection, acceptance and quality standards of goods, so as to ensure that the buyer and seller have a clear consensus on the status of the goods after the goods arrive at their destination, and avoid disputes over abandonment caused by quality problems.At the same time, the contract should contain a clear dispute resolution mechanism, including the selection of applicable law, arbitration institution or court, as well as the specific process and time limit for dispute resolution, so that disputes can be resolved quickly and effectively when they arise.In addition, relevant clauses on cargo insurance can also be added to the contract to ensure that the goods are fully protected during transportation and reduce losses and risks caused by accidents.

2. 快速启动应对机制

发生无人提货时，应立即采取一系列应对措施以确保自身权益不受损害。

首先，需通过书面形式正式通知买方，明确要求其前来提货并承担由此产生的所有相关费用。这一步骤不仅是对买方责任的明确提醒，也是为后续可能的法律纠纷留存证据。

紧接着，应着手收集关于弃货事实的全面证据，包括但不限于港口发出的正式通知、详细的费用账单以及与买方之间的邮件往来记录。这些证据将在后续可能的协商或法律程序中发挥关键作用。

此外，启动催告程序也是必不可少的一环，通过正式渠道向买方发出催告通知，明确其提货的最后期限。若买方在规定期限内仍未采取行动，则需根据合同条款考虑单方解除或中止履行义务的可能性，以保护自身免受进一步的经济损失。

When no one picks up the goods, a series of countermeasures should be taken immediately to ensure that their rights and interests are not damaged.

First of all, it is necessary to formally notify the buyer in writing, explicitly asking him to come to pick up the goods and bear all related expenses incurred therefrom.This step is not only a clear reminder of the buyer's responsibility, but also preserves evidence for possible subsequent legal disputes.

Immediately afterwards, we should start to collect comprehensive evidence about the fact of abandonment, including but not limited to the formal notice issued by the port, detailed bills of expenses and records of mail exchanges with the buyer.This evidence will play a key role in possible subsequent consultations or legal proceedings.

In addition, it is also essential to start the reminder procedure, and send a reminder notice to the buyer through formal channels to clarify the deadline for his delivery.If the buyer fails to take action within the prescribed time limit, it needs to consider the possibility of unilaterally terminating or suspending the performance of its obligations according to the terms of the contract to protect itself from further economic losses.

2. Activate Immediate Response Procedures**

Upon abandonment, the seller should promptly:

- Serve written notice to the buyer demanding pickup and payment of related fees;

- Gather evidence of abandonment (e.g., port notices, invoices, emails);

- Issue formal warnings or initiate procedures to suspend or terminate contractual performance.

3. 寻求替代买家或处理方案

根据货物属性和市场情况，考虑在当地转卖、委托第三方提货，或将货物回运。需注意转卖或处置流程应符合法律程序，避免因处置不当引发次生纠纷。

3. Seek Alternative Buyers or Disposal Plans

According to the attributes of the goods and market conditions, consider reselling them locally, entrusting a third party to pick up the goods, or returning the goods.It should be noted that the resale or disposal process should comply with legal procedures to avoid secondary disputes caused by improper disposal.

4. 启动法律程序维护权益

若协商未能达成一致，可根据合同条款选择适用的争议解决方式（仲裁或诉讼）追究买方责任。当案件涉及多个国家时，建议委托专业律师团队评估适用法律及管辖权问题，以确定最佳司法途径。

在选择仲裁或诉讼作为争议解决方式时，应充分考虑案件的复杂性、成本和时间因素。仲裁通常更为灵活和保密，而诉讼则可能更为正式和公开。此外，仲裁裁决在国际上通常更容易得到执行，但诉讼可能在某些情况下更为适宜，特别是当涉及公共利益或需要明确法律先例时。

4. Initiate Legal Action to Protect Rights

If negotiation fails to reach an agreement, the applicable dispute resolution method (arbitration or litigation) may be selected according to the terms of the contract to hold the buyer liable.When the case involves multiple countries, it is recommended to entrust a team of professional lawyers to evaluate the applicable law and jurisdiction issues to determine the best judicial route.

When choosing arbitration or litigation as a dispute resolution method, the complexity, cost and time factors of the case should be fully considered.Arbitration is generally more flexible and confidential, while litigation may be more formal and public.In addition, arbitral awards are usually easier to enforce internationally, but litigation may be more appropriate in some cases, especially when public interests are involved or clear legal precedents are needed.

5. 强化贸易合规和风险控制机制

建议企业根据国际形势变化，及时调整贸易条款，提升对关税政策变动的敏感度。在必要时，可引入信用保险、国际收汇担保等工具，以有效降低风险。

同时，企业应加强市场研究，深入分析全球贸易趋势，以便更好地预测和应对潜在的市场变化。此外，建立多元化的供应链体系，可以减少对单一市场的依赖，从而提高整体的抗风险能力。

5. Strengthen Compliance and Risk Control

It is suggested that enterprises should adjust trade terms in time according to changes in the international situation, and enhance their sensitivity to changes in tariff policies.When necessary, tools such as credit insurance and international foreign exchange guarantee can be introduced to effectively reduce risks.

At the same time, enterprises should strengthen market research and deeply analyze global trade trends in order to better predict and respond to potential market changes.In addition, the establishment of a diversified supply chain system can reduce the dependence on a single market, thus improving the overall ability to resist risks.

三

案例分析

Case Studies

案例一：中国出口商诉买方弃货并索赔港口费用案

Case 1: Chinese Exporter Successfully Claimed Damages for Abandoned Goods at U.S. Port

背景简介：

广东某出口公司与美国买家签订销售合同，出口一批机械设备至洛杉矶港口，采用FOB条款，税费由买方承担。发货后，美国临时提高该类设备进口关税至原来的三倍，买方以成本过高为由拒绝提货，货物在港滞留超过60天。

出口商经多次催告未果，最终在香港国际仲裁中心提起仲裁，要求买方支付滞港费、滞箱费以及后续转卖损失。仲裁庭认定：

- 合同中已明确约定税费责任归买方，

- 买方弃货构成根本违约，

- 出口商及时采取减损措施（包括通知、保全及转售），

据此支持了出口商主张的大部分损失金额。

法律启示：

- 明确税费分担条款对责任认定至关重要；

- 弃货行为构成违约时，卖方应及时收集证据并减损；

- 仲裁在处理跨境弃货争议中具有高效性与国际执行力。

案例二：中国法院判决支持卖方弃货索赔的案例（江苏高院，2022）

Case 2: Chinese Court Upholds Seller’s Claim for Damages Caused by Buyer’s Abandonment (Jiangsu High Court, 2022)**

案件概况：

江苏某出口公司与印度买家签订出口合同，出口一批电子元件。货物运至印度后，因当地突然实施新关税政策，买方未能及时清关并最终放弃提货。货物在港口积压近三个月后被转售。

江苏高院审理认为，合同明确约定买方负责目的国关税及清关义务，弃货构成违约。法院支持卖方关于滞港费、仓储费、转售差价等损失的全部主张。

法律要点：

- 中国法院认可国际贸易中“弃货即违约”原则；

- 买方如未履行清关及提货义务，应承担全额赔偿责任；

- 出口企业应留存好与弃货相关的电子邮件、费用票据、港口通知等证据。

四

结语

Conclusion

关税壁垒是当今国际贸易中的现实挑战。目的港无人提货虽是个案表现，但实质反映出合同设计、风险分担、法律适用等多重问题。对于涉外企业而言，应通过事前预防、事中应对与事后维权的系统思维，建立更为完善的风险管理机制，以稳健应对日趋复杂的国际贸易环境。

Tariff barriers are a practical challenge in today’s international trade. While goods abandonment at the destination port may appear isolated, it reflects deeper issues of contract drafting, risk allocation, and legal applicability. Foreign trade enterprises must adopt a systematic approach—preventive planning, timely response, and post-event remedies—to establish robust risk management mechanisms and navigate an increasingly complex global trade environment.、

若确实发生争议，请联系我们团队。我们拥有丰富的涉外诉讼经验，对外贸业务极为熟悉，能够有效引导中国企业实现利益最大化，避免损失进一步扩大。

If a dispute does arise, please contact our team.We have rich experience in foreign-related litigation and are extremely familiar with foreign trade business, which can effectively guide Chinese enterprises to maximize their profits and avoid further losses.

我们的专业团队将提供全方位的法律支持，确保您的权益在国际舞台上得到充分的保护。我们深谙国际贸易规则，能够迅速应对各种复杂的法律挑战，为您的企业保驾护航。

Our team of professionals will provide a full range of legal support to ensure that your rights and interests are fully protected on the international stage.We are well versed in international trade rules and can quickly respond to complex legal challenges to protect your business.

作者介绍

赵宝莲律师

北京市京师（深圳）律师事务所进出口法律事务部主任，法律硕士。

主要执业方向为涉外诉讼与仲裁、外商投资及国内企业对外投资法律事务、外贸业务法务支撑。

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