Demurrage & Detention Cost Calculator
Calculate total port demurrage and equipment detention penalties. Compute tier-escalated daily fees based on free-time allowances, container counts, and calendar vs. working day exclusions.
- • Demurrage Location: Inside Port/Terminal/Rail Yard (Full Container)
- • Detention Location: Outside Gate at Importer Warehouse / Facility (Per Diem)
- • Free Time Starts: Vessel Discharge / Container Availability Notification
- • Calculation Trigger: Exceeded Days = Total Days Held - Free Days Allowed
1. Shipment & Container Configuration
🏗️ Demurrage Parameters (Terminal Storage / In-Port)
🚛 Detention Parameters (Carrier Equipment / Out-Gate Per Diem)
Container Demurrage & Detention Billing Standards
Port terminals and ocean shipping lines levy penalties when equipment or terminal storage space is occupied beyond agreed contractual free time. Understanding the exact boundary lines prevents severe cost overruns on international containerized freight.
FMC (Federal Maritime Commission) Audit Guidelines
Under U.S. FMC final billing regulations, demurrage and detention charges cannot be lawfully billed if container pickup or empty return was prevented by factors beyond the importer's or trucker's control, such as port gate closures, lack of appointment slots, or severe terminal congestion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does Demurrage free time start counting?
Free time usually begins at 00:01 on the calendar day immediately following container discharge from the vessel or official notification of container availability at the container yard (CY).
Q: Can I dispute improper demurrage charges?
Yes. Ocean carriers must issue itemized invoices within required regulatory windows. If port closures prevented container retrieval, dispute documentation can be submitted for fee mitigation under FMC regulations.