Import fee benchmark
Demurrage: how often it hits and what it costs
The daily charge for leaving a loaded import container at the terminal past its free time.
The short answer. In our data, 2.4% of ocean container shipments into US ports were charged demurrage. When it was charged, the median bill was $490 per shipment. The middle half of bills ran from $230 to $1,144, and 1 in 10 was over $2,870.
Shipments from July 2024 to June 2026. Updated October 22, 2026.
What is demurrage?
Demurrage is billed by the ocean carrier or the marine terminal for every day a loaded import container stays inside the terminal after its free time runs out. The cut-off is the container’s last free day (LFD). Free time at US terminals is short, often a handful of calendar days, and the daily rate usually climbs in tiers the longer the box sits.
The usual causes are paperwork and timing, not bad luck: a customs hold, a missing telex or bill of lading release, unpaid freight, no truck or terminal appointment before the LFD, or a warehouse that cannot take the delivery yet.
Know the billing rules. Under the Federal Maritime Commission's demurrage and detention billing rule, in force since May 2024, ocean carriers and marine terminals must send these invoices within 30 days of the last day the charge accrued, include the details the rule lists, and give you at least 30 days to dispute. An invoice that misses those requirements does not have to be paid.
Demurrage by port
How often shipments at each published port were charged demurrage. Ports with too few importers are left out, and a dash means too few bills to publish a cost.
| Port or rail hub | How often | Median bill | Shipments |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan | 3.1% | — | 460 |
| Chicago | 2.6% | — | 712 |
| Minneapolis / St. Paul | 2.3% | — | 536 |
| Omaha | 1.9% | — | 554 |
| Los Angeles | 1.4% | — | 578 |
| Miami | 0.5% | — | 964 |
| Long Beach | under 0.7% | — | 736 |
| New York / New Jersey | under 1.5% | — | 343 |
| Houston | under 2.4% | — | 211 |
| Savannah | under 3.4% | — | 145 |
| Seattle | under 4.1% | — | 123 |
| Port Everglades | under 5.3% | — | 94 |
| Tampa | under 5.7% | — | 87 |
| All ports in the data | 2.4% | $490 | 8,298 |
How to avoid demurrage
- File the ISF and customs entry early so the box is released when it lands, not days later.
- Confirm the free time in writing, and whether it counts calendar days or working days.
- Book the drayage appointment as soon as the vessel's arrival is firm.
- If delivery cannot happen before the LFD, compare a pre-pull plus yard storage against the daily demurrage rate.
- Negotiate extra free time in your service contract if you regularly need it.
Questions
What is demurrage?
The daily charge for leaving a loaded import container at the terminal past its free time. Demurrage is billed by the ocean carrier or the marine terminal for every day a loaded import container stays inside the terminal after its free time runs out. The cut-off is the container's last free day (LFD). Free time at US terminals is short, often a handful of calendar days, and the daily rate usually climbs in tiers the longer the box sits.
How often do importers pay demurrage?
In our data, 2.4% of ocean container shipments into US ports were charged demurrage at least once (95% range 2.0% to 2.7%).
How much does demurrage cost?
When it was charged, the median demurrage bill was $490 per shipment. Half of all bills fell between $230 and $1,144, and 1 in 10 was over $2,870.
Free quote
Want demurrage spelled out before you ship?
Get a quote from a licensed US forwarder and customs broker that lists free time, demurrage terms and every trucking fee up front.
- A clear quote with drayage, chassis and port fees listed
- Free time and demurrage terms in writing before you book
- A reply within one business day, no obligation