Late B/L (Bill of Lading) Charges are meant to prevent delays in shipping documentation, but they’re increasingly being misused. In our case with HMM, we were unfairly charged for a delay caused by the consignee — not us. These fees were unusually high, non-negotiable, and imposed without dialogue or investigation. Despite being blameless, we faced penalties with no support or transparency from HMM. This misuse turns a legitimate safeguard into an exploitative practice, damaging trust in the shipping ecosystem. Charges should promote accountability, not punish the innocent. Ega Trade Centre, 3rd Floor, Door No: 318 (Old No: 809), Poonamalle High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010. hmm300519@gmail.com https://www.hmm21.com