Demurrage and detention

Carriers give a number of free days at the destination, and the charges start the day after free time ends and rise per day. Demurrage usually builds up when a container cannot be picked up, for example because of missing documents, a customs hold or unpaid balance to the supplier; detention builds up when you take the container to your warehouse and return the empty late.

Ask your forwarder how many free days the booking includes, have documents and customs clearance ready before the vessel arrives, and plan unloading so the empty goes back on time. These charges apply mostly to FCL. See LCL vs FCL.