Original product reference · operational descriptions below explain archived capabilities. Only the three saved-rate dashboard tools are active.
Free Demurrage Calculator — Archived Port Demurrage Preview
The original port-demurrage comparison page is preserved as a capability preview. The working saved-rate calculator offers Hapag-Lloyd India detention; it does not serve port-demurrage tariffs.
Create Free AccountAPI service retired. No payments are available in this showcase.
Why Demurrage Costs Matter More Than Ever in 2026
Charges depend on the carrier’s applicable tariff, equipment, direction, free days and escalating daily slabs. No illustrative current price is offered here. The working dashboard exposes only the selected saved tariff and its original source references.
The challenge is that every carrier publishes different tariffs, offers different free-day allowances, and applies different escalation tiers depending on the trade lane, port, and container type. Manually comparing these across 2 shipping lines for a single route can take hours of searching through PDF tariff schedules — assuming you can find them at all.
See the ShippingRates methodology for how carrier-backed data is collected, validated, and kept fail-closed when a source is ambiguous.
How Free Days Work
When your container arrives at the destination port, the carrier grants a set number of free days during which no storage charges apply. This is your window to clear customs, arrange transport, and pick up the container. The number of free days depends on several factors:
- Carrier tariff: Standard tariff free days range from 4 to 7 days for most carriers, but some offer as few as 3 for high-demand ports.
- Service contract: Contracted shippers with volume commitments can negotiate 10 to 14 free days.
- Port and region: Free-day policies differ by port. US ports often offer 4 to 5 days under FMC rules, while Asian ports may offer 7 or more.
- Container type: Reefer containers almost always have fewer free days (typically 2 to 4 fewer) because they consume electricity at the terminal.
Charges depend on the carrier’s applicable tariff, equipment, direction, free days and escalating daily slabs. No illustrative current price is offered here. The working dashboard exposes only the selected saved tariff and its original source references.
The FMC Incentive Principle
In the United States, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) updated its demurrage and detention rules under the Shipping Act Section 545 interpretive rule. The key principle: demurrage must serve as an incentive for cargo movement, not as a revenue source. Carriers must offer reasonable free time, and charges cannot accrue when delays are outside the shipper's control — such as port closures, customs holds, or terminal equipment failures.
Understanding these rules gives importers leverage to dispute unfair charges. Our calculator helps you identify which carriers offer the most favorable terms under FMC guidelines, so you can make informed routing decisions before the container is even loaded.
Pro Tip: Pre-Clear Your Cargo
The single most effective way to avoid demurrage is to complete customs clearance before the vessel arrives. File your ISF (Importer Security Filing) at least 72 hours before the ship docks, ensure all commercial invoices and packing lists are accurate, and have your customs broker standing by. Our D&D Guide 2026 covers this process step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is demurrage in container shipping?
Demurrage is a charge imposed by the shipping line when a container remains at the port terminal beyond the allotted free days after the vessel has been discharged. It is a daily penalty designed to incentivize importers to pick up their cargo promptly. Demurrage rates vary significantly by carrier, port, and container type, and they typically escalate the longer the container sits idle.
How many free days do carriers typically allow for demurrage?
Free days for demurrage vary from 3 to 14 days depending on the carrier, port of discharge, container type, and your service contract. Standard tariff customers generally receive 4 to 7 free days, while contracted shippers may negotiate up to 14 days. Our calculator compares the exact free-day allowances across all covered shipping lines for any origin-destination pair.
How is demurrage calculated?
Charges depend on the carrier’s applicable tariff, equipment, direction, free days and escalating daily slabs. No illustrative current price is offered here. The working dashboard exposes only the selected saved tariff and its original source references.
What is the difference between demurrage and detention?
Demurrage is charged while the full container sits at the port terminal before being picked up. Detention is charged after the container has left the terminal and is in the importer's possession beyond the allowed return period. In simple terms: demurrage covers port storage time, while detention covers the time you hold the container outside the port. Both charges are separate and can stack up quickly.
How can I reduce my demurrage costs?
The most effective strategies include: filing documentation and customs clearance before the vessel arrives, negotiating additional free days in your carrier contract, using our calculator to choose the carrier with the most favorable terms for your route, setting up automated tracking alerts to avoid missed deadlines, and understanding the FMC incentive principle that requires carriers to offer reasonable free time. The original API supported programmatic comparison; that service is retired.