NORTH AMERICA TERMS or INCOTERMS®?

Our Trading Assistance Staff continue to see cases where North American buyers who import fresh produce from offshore growers or sellers, struggle understanding their responsibilities under the perceived “agreed” INCOTERMS®.

North American buyers and sellers of fresh fruits and vegetables have adopted two main trade terms for their transactions within North America, FOB and DELIVERED (FOB Destination), which are used mostly for inland transportation. While this has worked fairly well in North America, we have noticed that when buying product from Europe, Asia, South Africa, South America or other parts of the world, important details regarding risk, cost, and clearance are not properly discussed or understood depending on the INCOTERMS® agreed.

We cannot stress enough the importance of having better knowledge of the INCOTERMS® within your company in the buy/sell department or logistic department if exists. One common mistake that continues to cross our desk is when a North American buyer requests the offshore grower/shipper to have the product “delivered” to them at the named port. The North American buyer assumes that the offshore grower/shipper will take care of all the details to deliver the product at the named destination but forgets to discuss the risk and/or customs clearance. Without discussing these elements, the grower/shipper can use the CFR or CIF INCOTERMS® and complied with the buyer’s request. This lack of communication normally creates a dispute when a shipping line needs to be claimed for damages or when is time to absorb customs clearance costs.

In the previous example, the North American company could have used a more appropriate term such as DAP, DPU, or DDP, which automatically would have transferred the risk of transit to the grower/shipper, as well as establish responsibility for customs clearance cost.

We strongly suggest DRC members visit the International Chamber of Commerce website and become familiar with the INCOTERMS®. You will be able to download for free two documents: Free Incoterms 2020 Introduction and a wallchart.

DRC TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS

It is well known that transportation and related matters are complex and become even more so when the cargo is fresh fruits and vegetables.

Even before factoring in cargo that is highly perishable and for human consumption, these complexities range from domestic Hours of Service regulations for transport drivers to a ship captain’s right to jettison that cargo during a storm to save his ship and crew under maritime law.

As many of you may know firsthand, buying and selling produce includes consideration of many factors, such as food safety, grade standards, labeling, phytosanitary issues and requirements as well as a myriad of domestic and foreign permits.  It should not be surprising that things do not always go smoothly!

The Transportation Standards can help level the playing-field when well meaning intentions result in unintentional complications. The produce industry is aware of this and has developed best practices and protocols, many of which are reflected in these standards.

The current pandemic has upset many protocols. For example, increasingly, drivers are often restricted from actively observing the loading process and taking pulp temperatures. There are sound reasons to distance the driver from others, however, the driver is then being prevented from performing a key responsibility. The Transportation Standards indicate that a bill of lading should note when the driver could not take pulp temps of the product and state on BOL as “the shipper’s temperature declaration.” These standards also state that the driver must object and inform his customer of the situation. 

Failure to document temperatures at shipping point leaves both shipper and carrier equally exposed to blame when temperature issues arise at destination. 

Another frequent area of contention arises when the shipper’s temperature instructions conflict with the buyer’s instruction to the carrier. This may be due to a mixed manifest, ripening considerations or a number of other reasons. These standards indicate it is the shipper’s duty to contact the buyer and resolve any difference between shipper and buyer temperature instruction to the carrier. The carrier should never be responsible for making transit temperature decisions. 

The Transportation Standards reflect the industry norms, expectations, and in many circumstances – common sense. With regard to driver and pulp temperatures, it is simply not reasonable for one party to prevent drivers from taking pulp temperatures and the other party holding the driver responsible for not taking the pulp temperatures.  Yes, the driver has responsibility for not objecting, but it is not a sole responsibility.  

The Warranty of Suitable Shipping Condition (Good Arrival) requires the shipper to load the carrier in such a way as it can make good arrival. An FOB shipper who cannot demonstrate temperature information at shipping point may find themselves with liability for condition issues on arrival at destination. 

If you have a question about the Transportation Standards, please reach out to us. Remember, the Standards are written as a guide for a global audience who are doing business with DRC members. 

Membership Updates for May 17, 2021

Welcome New Members

From April 15 until May 17, 2021, DRC welcomed the following new members:

A1 IMPORTS INC.

QC

Canada

AGROINDUSTRIAL SAN GERMAN SPA (También haciendo negocios como San German SPA)

Elqui

Chile

ALIMSUR INC.

QC

Canada

ANYE PRODUCE INC.

CA

United States

BENITO PRODUCE CORP.

ON

Canada

BOUCHERIE EL IHCÈNE

QC

Canada

CITRUS CONNECTION (A d/b/a of 1884430 Ontario Inc.)

ON

Canada

COMMERCE O’MALLEY QUÉBEC (Faisant également affaire sous Coulibaly Firmin)

QC

Canada

DESIGNITY EXPRESS INC. (Also d/b/a South Asian Food Essentia

ON

Canada

EL TORREON EXPORT LIMITADA

Punilla

Chile

FRESHSTONE BRANDS INC.

ON

Canada

LINKGLOBAL FOOD INC.

ON

Canada

MANGOLICIOUS BY MM (A d/b/a of Mona Mehta)

ON

Canada

MARITIME FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PACKERS INC.

ON

Canada

NATURAL FOREST, INC

Florida

United States

PROSPERA PRODUCE LTD.

BC

Canada

SOCRITIQUE TECHNOLOGIES INC.

ON

Canada

SUN RICH FOODS CANADA INC. (Also d/b/a Sun Rich)

BC

Canada

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCE URBAN DELIVERY INC. (Also d/b/a Spud.ca)

BC

Canada

THE GREENGEN INCORPORATED

ON

Canada

VARSTAR ALLIANCE INC.

MI

United States

VIVO DE CAMPO INC.

ON

Canada

ZYTHAS DYNAMIC INC.

AB

Canada

 

DRC Membership: change in status

As of May 17,2021, the following organizations no longer hold a DRC membership:

2478339 ONTARIO INC

ON

Canada

2755281 ONTARIO INC.

ON

Canada

9382-9729 QUEBEC INC.

QC

Canada

AGRICOLA LA VENTA S.A.  (También haciendo negocios como Agricola La Venta)

Lima

Peru

AGRICOLA TEJAS VERDES LIMITADA

 

Chile

AGROINVERSIONES VALLE Y PAMPA S.A.

Lima

Peru

ALWAYS GREEN CORPORATION

CA

United States

BAUZA EXPORT LTDA

Santiago

Chile

BRANDPORT TRADING INTERNATIONAL INC. (Also d/b/a Brandport)

QC

Canada

BUDA JUICE CANADA (A d/b/a of 2469447 Ontario Limited)

ON

Canada

CHENFIELD LIMITED

Kowloon

Hong Kong

CHINESE UNIVERSAL ENTERPRISES INC.

MB

Canada

COMERCIAL GREENVIC S.A.

Metropolitana

Chile

FEDAL CONSULTING CORP.

AB

Canada

GEORGE DESLAURIERS (1976) INC.

QC

Canada

GRANATIONAL INC.

ON

Canada

HAKIM ENTERPRISES (A d/b/a of Thabit Hakim Andrawus)

ON

Canada

LB INTERNATIONAL TRADING IMPORT/EXPORT INC.

QC

Canada

LES MARCHANDS DUFRAIS (Faisant également affaire sous 9124-3105 Quebec Inc.)

QC

Canada

LT FARM, INC.

CA

United States

MAKOLA TROPICAL FOODS

ON

Canada

MAYRAND LIMITÉE (Faisant également affaire sous Resto Dépot Mayrand)

QC

Canada

MUSANGKING TRADE COMPANY LIMITED

ON

Canada

NATIONAL COLD CHAIN INC.

ON

Canada

NFI IPD, LLC (Also d/b/a NFI Canada)

ON

Canada

PAPALOTE FRESH LLC

TX

United States

PRODUCTOS AGROPECUARIOS SAN CARLOS S.P.R. de R.L. (También haciendo negocios como San Carlos)

Nayarit

Mexico

READY PAC PRODUCE, INC.

CA

United States

S & A IMPORT AND EXPORT, SRL

 

Dominican Republic

SAN DIEGO FARMS LLC (Also d/b/a Fresh Origins)

CA

United States

SANDEL FOODS INC.

BC

Canada

SIMILIEN PRODUITS FRAIS INC.

QC

Canada

SLIM PROFESSIONNELS SERVICES INC.

QC

Canada

SUNFLOWER KITCHEN INC.

ON

Canada

SUTHA IMPORTS & EXPORTS LTD.

ON

Canada

TAYLOR & FULTON PACKING, LLC

FL

United States

TJPEPPERS LTD.

ON

Canada

TOP STAR INTERNATIONAL TRADING (A d/b/a of 10612952 Canada Limited)

ON

Canada

 

For details regarding a change in status, please contact the office.

Important note: Following membership termination, the former member remains liable for claims arising prior to their termination if the claim is submitted to DRC by way of a Notice of Dispute within nine (9) months from when the claim arose or within nine (9) months from when the claimant ought reasonably to have known of its existence.

About DRC

DRC is a non-profit membership-based organization whose core work is business-to-business commercial dispute resolution for produce. DRC is a referee between parties when a purchase and sale do not go according to plan. Members adhere to a common set of trading standards and member responsibilities that promote fair and ethical trading for produce entering the North American marketplace. In Canada, membership in the DRC is a regulatory requirement to trade fresh fruits and vegetables (i.e.: buy, sell, import, export) unless excepted from the regulations. Today, DRC has members in 14 countries outside of North America, and membership continues to grow annually. Anyone exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to Canada must sell to a DRC member.

In addition to the DRC’s Operating Rules and Trading Standards, DRC offers a comprehensive, tailored suite of tools to build the knowledge and capacity of members to avoid or resolve disputes, including education, mediation and arbitration. DRC has ability to impose sanctions and disciplinary actions towards members who do not conduct business in accordance with the terms of their membership agreement.

To date, DRC has resolved claims in excess of $83 million dollars. Although arbitration is available, 80% of these claims have been settled in an average of 26 days through our informal consultation/mediation services. Arbitration awards are court enforceable in countries that are signatories to the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards or subsequent conventions.

To learn more, reach out to our Help Desk at [email protected] or (+1) 613-234-0982 or visit us at www.fvdrc.com.

 

ARBITRATION DECISION BRIEF: Whether the Respondent failed to provide in a timely manner a copy of the inspection certificate to the Claimant.

This is the third in a series of articles summarizing past DRC arbitration decisions. We believe this will help members to better understand how the DRC Dispute Rules (R&R) and Regulations apply in the event of a dispute. DRC Dispute R&R state that all DRC arbitrations are private and confidential. As such, the names of all parties, including arbitrators and companies are not included. A reminder that DRC’s sole role is as administrator of the arbitration process; DRC does not participate in any hearings. Therefore, this summary is based solely on the arbitrator’s written decision and may not reflect important information shared with the arbitrator through written briefs or verbal testimony.

 Case: DRC File #10954 – Parties Domiciled – USA and Canada

Facts

  • The Claimant shipped to the Respondent 4032 boxes of size 12 Kent variety mangoes on August 7, 2001. According to the invoice, the product was sold at $2.60/box F.O.B. The Respondent received the shipment in Canada either late on August 11, 2001 or in the early hours of August 12, 2001.
  • A CFIA inspection was requested on Monday, August 13, 2001 and was performed the following morning on August 14, 2001. Respondent alleges that the mangoes failed to make good arrival and sold the mangos for the Claimant’s account which returned approximately $.40 per box to the Claimant.
  • On August 14, 2001, Claimant sent a letter to Respondent’s broker advising that they would not allow the mangoes to be sold for their account. Thereafter, Respondent wrote to the broker asking for instructions on how to handle the load.
  • Claimant made numerous requests to the Respondent to be provided with the CFIA inspection. This inspection was not provided to the Claimant until February 12, 2002.
  • Claimant agreed to allow a $1.00 per box adjustment due to quality problems, and now seeks payment of $4,838.40.

Issue

Whether the Respondent failed to provide in a timely manner a copy of the inspection certificate to the Claimant.

Arbitrator’s Analysis/Reasoning

The arbitrator found that Respondent failed to provide, in a timely manner, a copy of the inspection certificate to Claimant herein in violation of Section 10 (2)(b)(ii) of the Trading Standards which require a copy of the inspection certificate to be provided to the shipper within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt by the Respondent. Therefore, the arbitrator found that Respondent violated its duties under the DRC Trading Standards.

Additionally, Respondent raised as an issue as to whether the Notice of Dispute herein was properly filed because a representative of the DRC requested such notice be filed by November 13, 2001 and it was not filed until November 30, 2001. The Arbitrator found that, pursuant to Rule 4 of the DRC Dispute Resolution Rules, the Claimant filed the Notice of Dispute within the nine (9) month limitation period.

Arbitrator’s Decision

The Respondent failed to provide in a timely manner a copy of the inspection certificate to Claimant, therefore, Claimant is owed the invoice price of $10,506.70 less payment in the amount of $1,636.30, less a credit in the amount of $4,032.00, for a total invoice price owed of $4,838.30 plus commencement fees of $525.00 plus interest of 9.5% (U.S. prime rate plus 1%) from the ten (10) days following receipt of the goods by Respondent herein or August 22, 2001, through the date of this decision, or $273.48 for a total of $5,636.88 funds to be paid by the Respondent to Claimant no later than thirty days from the date of this decision.

DRC Comments

As a receiver/buyer, failing to provide the supporting documents of a claim in a timely manner, can result an unsuccessful claim. In this case, the respondent appears to have given timely notice of a problem upon arrival, requested a CFIA inspection in a timely manner, and informed the shipper they would handle the product for the shipper’s account. The only responsibility the receiver failed to meet was not providing the CFIA inspection in a timely manner. However, this is a very important step in the process of making a claim. The results of the CFIA inspection allow the shipper to determine if the product met or failed contract terms or DRC Good Arrival Guidelines. A shipper who does not receive a copy of an inspection report in a timely manner has not been provided with sufficient evidence that the product arrived in deteriorated condition. This often compromises the shipper’s ability to pass any claim on to his supplier, insurance, freight provider or others who may have contributed to a claim. 

DRC members have 9 months from the date the dispute arose or when the claimant ought reasonably to have known of its existence to file their Notice of Dispute. We are not sure why the respondent was under the impression that the Notice of Dispute should have been submitted on or before November 13, 2001 but if the product was received on August 12, 2001, and we start counting from this date, the claimant would have had until May 12, 2002 to file their notice of dispute.

For more information regarding the sections of DRC Trading Standards applied to this dispute, refer to the following sections:

 DRC Trading Standards:

New and Potential DRC Members

Over the last few months DRC has experienced a surge of new members. This is positive and demonstrates that, even during these challenging times, the entrepreneurial spirit remains strong.

We are receiving all types of applications, which include applicants with little experience in the produce industry or lack of knowledge of rules and regulations that apply to produce transactions. We want to assure those who are completely new to the industry that DRC is more than just a regulatory requirement for Canadians, we are a key resource for information with tools to help businesses succeed in a tough but extremely rewarding industry. Before taking on your first fresh produce import make sure you can answer the following basic questions:

  • Can the product enter Canada? You should be visiting the Automated Import Reference System to find out.
  • What are the payment terms and contracted shipping terms such as INCOTERMS?  Make sure both parties understand their rights, responsibilities and risks of using these terms.
  • How do I clear Canadian customs and have the product released to me? You may want to have a Custom Broker to help you with this process. Visit Canada Border Services Agency for a list of licensed custom brokers.
  • What do I do if my Canadian buyer does not want my product? Understand the process of a claim or a rejection by reviewing DRC’s Trading Standards.
  • What if my product arrives with damage? A request for a government inspection should be the first action.

These are the types of questions we receive daily at DRC and we have professional and dedicated staff available to assist you. So, if you need help with some of these basic questions or any others, please call or email us and we will get you the answers you need with total confidentiality.

DRC TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS I

Just as the DRC Trading Standards set out the rights and responsibilities of buyers, brokers and sellers of fresh produce, the DRC Transportation Standards set out the fresh produce specific rights and responsibilities of trucks, transportation intermediaries, shippers, and receivers.

For some time, the DRC Transportation Standards have been viewed as more of a “suggestion” than as a vital part of product movement along the supply chain. Those days are over.  Food Safety and Preventative Control Plans (PCP) have focused attention on the supply chain, including the loading and unloading of produce.

Section 7 addresses loading the conveyance.  For years the driver and the shipper had responsibilities for loading the conveyance. Documentation of pulp temperatures, reefer set points and condition of the conveyance should now be part of a shipper’s PCP.

Similarly, Section 9 addresses the documentation of temperatures and the condition of the load.  These requirements should also be reflected in the receiver’s PCP.  That plan should include procedures to address and correct those issues.

Placing seals or locks on trailer doors is nothing new and is discussed in Section 7.   Not that many years ago a seal’s primary use was protecting against theft, or that other unapproved cargo was not placed on board. Breaking that seal without authorization could result in rejection and give rise to contamination concerns. Today, breaking a seal may raise Food Safety concerns which could lead to a dispute.

DRC’s Transportation Standards are designed to be the default standards between members, and they are compatible with today’s business practices.  Parties are free to agree on other transportation terms and we are cognisant that sovereign laws may come into effect in international transactions. When making other arrangements be prepared for DRC to ask if the terms were “DUA” (discussed, understood, and agreed).

Membership Updates for April 15, 2021

Welcome New Members

From March 15 until April 15, 2021, DRC welcomed the following new members:

12618109 CANADA INC.

AB

Canada

BDF INTERNATIONAL LTD.

BC

Canada

CITY PRODUCE

ON

Canada

CSM FRESH IMPORTS INC. (Also d/b/a CSM Fresh)

ON

Canada

DALEY FARM FRESH PRODUCE INC. (Also d/b/a Daley’s Trucking)

ON

Canada

EPSILON-IT EPSILON-INTEGRA-TRADE LTD. (Also d/b/a Epsilon In

BC

Canada

ESS ESS DISTRIBUTORS INC.

ON

Canada

EVERFRESH GREENHOUSE (A d/b/a of 1269461 Ontario Inc.)

ON

Canada

EXOCAN GROUP INC..

QC

Canada

GREATRATE FOODS LTD.

BC

Canada

GUJARAT FOODS AND SPICES INC.

ON

Canada

IMPORTATION GLNA INC. (Faisant également affaire sous Audall

QC

Canada

JUS LOOP INC. (Faisant également affaire sous LOOP Mission)

QC

Canada

LITAI CANADA TRADING LTD.

ON

Canada

LOKESH JAIN ENTERPRISE (A d/b/a of Lokesh Jain)

ON

Canada

MAMA’S GREENHOUSE (A d/b/a of 963358 Ltd.)

AB

Canada

MARTINEZ & SONS PRODUCE INC.

CA

United States

MATOOKE SHOP EAST AFRICAN FRESH FOODS INC.

ON

Canada

NAVS GROCERY ( A d/b/a of 2726265 Ontario Inc.)

ON

Canada

NOURIMPEX (A d/b/a of 9347-9426 Quebec Inc.)

QC

Canada

 

DRC Membership: change in status

As of April 15, 2021, the following organizations no longer hold a DRC membership:

A & Z TRUCKING INC.

NY

United States

A2Z IMPORT “N” EXPORT CANADA INC.

ON

Canada

ABIDJAN SERVICES ALIMENTAIRES INC.

QC

Canada

AFRICAN CHOICE MARKET LTD.

AB

Canada

ALBERT’S ORGANICS, INC.

NJ

United States

ALPINE FRESH, INC.

FL

United States

APACHE PRODUCE IMPORTS LLC

AZ

United States

BRAD FOOTE & SON PRODUCE LIMITED (Also d/b/a Footes Farm Mar

NS

Canada

CLEAR COAST ALLIANCE LTD.

BC

Canada

DOUBLE STAR FARMS INC.

CA

United States

FILLMORE-PIRU CITRUS ASSOCIATION

CA

United States

FRESHPACK OKANAGAN FRUIT LTD.

BC

Canada

HA IMPEX INC

AB

Canada

HARI AGRO PRODUCTS CANADA (A d/b/a of Hari Prasath Udayakuma

BC

Canada

J.B.M. ENTERPRISES LTD.

BC

Canada

LES ALIMENTS KOUBA INC.

QC

Canada

NATURE BLUE ENTERPRISES INC.

BC

Canada

NEW ERA PRODUCE LLC

FL

United States

PACIFIC RIM INTERNATIONAL BROKERAGE INC.

BC

Canada

SYSCO NASYS (A Division of Sysco Canada, Inc.)

NB

Canada

THREE DOLPHINS WHOLESALE LTD.

BC

Canada

TIGERGOOD MARKETS LTD.

BC

Canada

VICTORY MEAT MARKETS

YAKIMA FRESH, LLC

NB

WA

Canada

United States

 

For details regarding a change in status, please contact the office.

Important note: Following membership termination, the former member remains liable for claims arising prior to their termination if the claim is submitted to DRC by way of a Notice of Dispute within nine (9) months from when the claim arose or within nine (9) months from when the claimant ought reasonably to have known of its existence.

About DRC

DRC is a non-profit membership-based organization whose core work is business-to-business commercial dispute resolution for produce. DRC is a referee between parties when a purchase and sale do not go according to plan. Members adhere to a common set of trading standards and member responsibilities that promote fair and ethical trading for produce entering the North American marketplace. In Canada, membership in the DRC is a regulatory requirement to trade fresh fruits and vegetables (i.e.: buy, sell, import, export) unless excepted from the regulations. Today, DRC has members in 14 countries outside of North America, and membership continues to grow annually. Anyone exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to Canada must sell to a DRC member.

In addition to the DRC’s Operating Rules and Trading Standards, DRC offers a comprehensive, tailored suite of tools to build the knowledge and capacity of members to avoid or resolve disputes, including education, mediation and arbitration. DRC has ability to impose sanctions and disciplinary actions towards members who do not conduct business in accordance with the terms of their membership agreement.

To date, DRC has resolved claims in excess of $83 million dollars. Although arbitration is available, 80% of these claims have been settled in an average of 26 days through our informal consultation/mediation services. Arbitration awards are court enforceable in countries that are signatories to the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards or subsequent conventions.

To learn more, reach out to our Help Desk at [email protected] or (+1) 613-234-0982 or visit us at www.fvdrc.com.

Non-member access to member portal

Did you know that while most of the information posted on DRC Member Portal is reserved for members only, you don’t have to be a member to use some of the features the portal has to offer?

To start you’ll need to go to Member Login section and register a new account. Once logged in, as a non-member, you will have basic access to the portal where you will be able to:

  • Have limited access to the membership directory where you can search for companies by location and type of business
  • Verify if the company is either a DRC active or inactive member
  • Apply for a full membership
  • Send an inquiry for DRC Trading Assistance or any other help

We are encouraging everyone to visit our redesigned website and discover the refreshed Member Portal as a valuable resource for the produce industry.

Do you need a Safe Food for Canadians licence or DRC membership to export produce from Canada?

Let’s start with the easy part, a DRC membership. According to the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), Canadian exporters are required to have a DRC membership unless excepted, mainly because you ship produce you have grown yourself or are shipping less than one metric ton a day. There are a couple of other exceptions, but there are probably not many small retailers or charities exporting produce from Canada. In other words, if you are selling from Canada make sure you and your foreign buyer are DRC members. It’s not just good business, it’s the law for Canadian fresh produce exporters.

Now the more complicated question, do you need a SFCR licence from CFIA to export produce from Canada? You need a licence to export food if you would like to receive an export certificate, or another export permission such as being on an export eligibility list, from the CFIA. 

You do not need a SFCR licence to export food:

  • if your sole activity is export and you do not need an export certificate, or another export permission, from the CFIA, or 
  • if your sole activity is an export custom broker or freight forwarder.

If export is not your sole food related activity, we strongly urge you to visit the CFIA website (inspection.gc.ca) and use some of their self-assessment tools to see if you need a licence.

COVID 19 and Payment Terms

There is little question COVID-19 has stressed and complicated business models. Some people are really hurting and there is no way around it. If you are one of those folks, I encourage you to have a conversation with your suppliers now! We are seeing many relationships coming to amicable terms when timely conversation has taken place.
Understandably, the relationship is not so amicable when the cash flow conversation does not take place until the invoice is past due, the reminder is ignored and phone calls have not been answered. And horror of horrors ………… you said, “the check is in the mail” and it is not. In my 35 years working on problems, I have seen many relationships blossom following honest and forthright communication. I have seen zero relationships recover when someone says the check was sent and it was not.
When you are the supplier, let’s face it, you have a choice to make: whether to work with your customer or play tough while knowing that your customer may or may not survive without your help.
There are some definite boundaries you should respect when electing to accept payment beyond the original terms.
Both DRC and PACA require that complaints be filed within 9 months of when payment was due. In my experience that means the original due date. If your arrangement is going to be longer than that, you should include in the conversation that a DRC or PACA complaint will be filed. You will have control of when you choose to move forward for a decision, but the informal filing must be done within the prescribed time frame.
If you are utilizing the protections offered by the PACA Trust do not forget that you must put the customer on notice of the trust within 30 days of when payment was due and payment terms longer than 30 days are not recognized.
If you have decided to ride it out with your customer, get a firm commitment for them to pay something on a regular basis. That will signal they have some income and that if they miss a payment it will tell you their plan is not working.
Some things change and some don’t. What has not changed is that honesty and integrity apply equally in good times and bad. When your trading partner forgets that, it is time to take action and file a claim for yourself and for your industry.

Fred C. Webber

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