Beware of Cheap Sea Freight Traps! A Warning About a Fraudulent Agent in Guangzhou

Learn from a Customer's Experience to Protect Your Shipments

In international trade, especially when shipping goods from China to Africa, choosing a reliable shipping agent is crucial. Unfortunately, some dishonest operators use unrealistically low prices to attract customers, only to cause significant losses and delays later. We want to share a recent real-life incident involving one of our clients to help others avoid similar pitfalls.

The Story: A Costly Mistake with Mr. Vino

One of our clients, Mr. Bayo from Nigeria, purchased five solar energy systems from our company. While in Guangzhou, Mr. Bayo met another Nigerian individual named Mr. Vino, who presented himself as a shipping agent. Mr. Vino offered an incredibly low sea freight rate—just $2,000 for shipping approximately 10 cubic meters of goods to Lagos, Nigeria.

This price was unusually cheap. For reference, the standard DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) sea freight cost for this volume is at least $4,000. Despite the red flag, Mr. Bayo was attracted by the low price and decided to use Mr. Vino’s services.

What Happened After the Shipment?

Six months have passed since the goods were shipped, and Mr. Bayo has yet to receive all his items. Here’s what went wrong:

1. Delays and Extortion: After the shipment was sent, Mr. Vino began demanding additional payments before releasing the goods. Each time Mr. Bayo paid extra, he received only a portion of his order—never the full shipment.

2. Damaged and Split Goods: The solar systems were split into different containers without Mr. Bayo’s knowledge. The items that did arrive were often poorly packaged and damaged.

3. No Full Resolution: To this day, Mr. Bayo has not received all his products, despite having paid both the initial fee and multiple extra charges.

How the Scam Works

This is a classic example of a “cheap freight trap.” The agent lures customers with below-market prices. Once the goods are in their possession, they hold the items hostage and demand more money. Even after paying these extra fees, customers may still not receive their goods intact or on time. In some cases, the agent may even sell or dispose of the items.

A Warning to All Importers

We urge all customers—especially those from Nigeria and other African countries—to be extremely cautious when selecting shipping agents. Here are key takeaways:

Avoid Unrealistically Low Prices: If a quote seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always compare prices with industry standards.

Research Your Agent: Check the background and reputation of any agent before doing business. Look for reviews and ask for references.

Get Everything in Writing: Ensure all terms—including costs, delivery timelines, and liability—are clearly stated in a contract.

Stay Alert: Be wary of agents who ask for extra payments after the shipment is underway.

Special Warning About Mr. Vino

We specifically want to caution you about Mr. Vino, a Nigerian agent based in Guangzhou. He has proven to be dishonest and has caused our client significant financial and material loss. Do not trust his services.

Final Thoughts

Let’s learn from Mr. Bayo’s experience. Don’t let low prices blind you to potential risks. Always work with reputable and verified shipping partners to ensure your goods arrive safely and on time.

If you have any questions or need recommendations for trusted logistics providers, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help you trade safely and successfully.