Demurrage and detention are the charges the shipping line bills when its container stays longer than agreed. Demurrage runs while the loaded container exceeds its free days inside the terminal; detention runs while you take too long to return the empty container after pulling it out. Two different clocks on the same cargo.
How they work
Every freight contract includes negotiated free days: a window to clear and pull the container, and another to return it empty. Once exhausted, a daily rate kicks in and grows in tiers. On top of that, the bonded facility bills its own storage separately.
When they hit you importing from China
Whenever clearance stalls: one missing document, an inspection by the authority, a payment outside banking hours. Demurrage is among the most painful hidden costs because it appears in no quote and accumulates by itself, day after day, while the underlying problem gets solved.
The common mistake
Not negotiating free days when booking the freight, and finding out how many there were once they ran out. Free days are part of the negotiation, just like the rate. Healthy management starts before arrival: documents transmitted, clearance planned and trucking booked so the container gets in and out in the shortest possible time.
Our sea freight service includes clearance planning so the clocks never start. Write to us before your next shipment.
