# Freight Benchmarks

> What importing an ocean container into the US really costs. Demurrage, detention, chassis, exam and storage fees by port, measured from thousands of real shipment invoices.

Freight Benchmarks (freightbenchmarks.com) publishes how often ocean container shipments into US ports are charged accessorial fees (demurrage, per diem or detention, storage, customs exams, chassis rental, chassis splits, chassis extra days, pre-pulls, driver waiting time, overweight, wharfage and port congestion surcharges) and what each costs, by port and nationally. Source: Anonymized line-item forwarder invoices billed to US importers, contributed through the Freight Benchmarks data partner program, in which every partner is a licensed US freight forwarder and customs broker. Aggregates only. Sample: 8,298 US import container shipments first invoiced July 2024 to June 2026. Data version 2026-10-22, refreshed monthly. Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0; cite as "Freight Benchmarks (freightbenchmarks.com)". Fee figures are per shipment unless they say per container; per-container and per-day figures are under Named measures below.

## Headline figures (all published ports)
- Shipments that paid at least one delay fee (demurrage, per diem, storage or chassis extra days): 34.8% of 8,298 (95% range 33.8% to 35.9%). https://freightbenchmarks.com/ports/
- Shipments with at least one accessorial charge: 43.6%. https://freightbenchmarks.com/fees/
- Average accessorial charges per shipment, across every shipment including those that paid none: $174. https://freightbenchmarks.com/fees/
- Demurrage: Freight Benchmarks found that 2.4% (95% range 2.0% to 2.7%) of 8,298 US import container shipments first invoiced July 2024 to June 2026 paid 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 (222 paying shipments). https://freightbenchmarks.com/fees/demurrage/
- Per diem (detention): Freight Benchmarks found that 3.7% (95% range 3.4% to 4.2%) of 8,298 US import container shipments first invoiced July 2024 to June 2026 paid per diem (detention). When it was charged, the median bill was $370 per shipment; the middle half of bills ran from $185 to $870, and 1 in 10 was over $2,370 (344 paying shipments). https://freightbenchmarks.com/fees/per-diem-detention/
- Storage: Freight Benchmarks found that 9.5% (95% range 8.8% to 10.1%) of 8,298 US import container shipments first invoiced July 2024 to June 2026 paid storage. When it was charged, the median bill was $135 per shipment; the middle half of bills ran from $65 to $315, and 1 in 10 was over $605 (733 paying shipments). https://freightbenchmarks.com/fees/storage/
- Customs exam: Freight Benchmarks found that 0.5% (95% range 0.4% to 0.7%) of 8,298 US import container shipments first invoiced July 2024 to June 2026 paid customs exam charges. When it was charged, the median bill was $412 per shipment; the middle half of bills ran from $134 to $880, and 1 in 10 was over $2,387 (39 paying shipments). https://freightbenchmarks.com/fees/customs-exam/
- Port congestion surcharge: Freight Benchmarks found that 1.1% (95% range 0.9% to 1.4%) of 8,298 US import container shipments first invoiced July 2024 to June 2026 paid a port congestion surcharge. https://freightbenchmarks.com/fees/port-congestion-surcharge/
- Wharfage: Freight Benchmarks found that 9.0% (95% range 8.4% to 9.7%) of 8,298 US import container shipments first invoiced July 2024 to June 2026 paid wharfage. When it was charged, the median bill was $110 per shipment; the middle half of bills were all $110, and 1 in 10 was over $220 (691 paying shipments). https://freightbenchmarks.com/fees/wharfage/
- Chassis rental: Freight Benchmarks found that 79.2% (95% range 78.1% to 80.3%) of 5,536 US import container shipments first invoiced July 2024 to June 2026, counting only shipments whose final trucking was billed on the same invoices, paid chassis rental. When it was charged, the median bill was $165 per shipment; the middle half of bills ran from $135 to $165, and 1 in 10 was over $225 (4,362 paying shipments). https://freightbenchmarks.com/fees/chassis-rental/
- Chassis split: Freight Benchmarks found that 29.0% (95% range 27.8% to 30.2%) of 5,536 US import container shipments first invoiced July 2024 to June 2026, counting only shipments whose final trucking was billed on the same invoices, paid a chassis split fee. When it was charged, the median bill was $125 per shipment; the middle half of bills ran from $85 to $150, and 1 in 10 was over $250 (1,826 paying shipments). https://freightbenchmarks.com/fees/chassis-split/
- Chassis extra days: Freight Benchmarks found that 37.5% (95% range 36.2% to 38.8%) of 5,536 US import container shipments first invoiced July 2024 to June 2026, counting only shipments whose final trucking was billed on the same invoices, paid chassis extra days. When it was charged, the median bill was $150 per shipment; the middle half of bills ran from $90 to $225, and 1 in 10 was over $360 (2,269 paying shipments). https://freightbenchmarks.com/fees/chassis-extra-days/
- Pre-pull: In Freight Benchmarks' invoice data for US import container shipments first invoiced July 2024 to June 2026, the median pre-pull bill was $160 per shipment when it was charged; the middle half of bills ran from $150 to $200, and 1 in 10 was over $400 (748 paying shipments). How often it is charged is not published, because its charge code came into use partway through the window. https://freightbenchmarks.com/fees/pre-pull/
- Driver waiting time: Freight Benchmarks found that 5.6% (95% range 5.1% to 6.3%) of 5,536 US import container shipments first invoiced July 2024 to June 2026, counting only shipments whose final trucking was billed on the same invoices, paid driver waiting time. When it was charged, the median bill was $170 per shipment; the middle half of bills ran from $100 to $285, and 1 in 10 was over $500 (297 paying shipments). https://freightbenchmarks.com/fees/driver-waiting-time/
- Overweight: Freight Benchmarks found that 4.1% (95% range 3.6% to 4.6%) of 5,536 US import container shipments first invoiced July 2024 to June 2026, counting only shipments whose final trucking was billed on the same invoices, paid an overweight fee. When it was charged, the median bill was $170 per shipment; the middle half of bills ran from $120 to $200, and 1 in 10 was over $310 (206 paying shipments). https://freightbenchmarks.com/fees/overweight-container/

## Named measures
- Freight Benchmarks D&D Rate: 1.6% in Q2 2026 (shipments first invoiced April 2026 to June 2026; 95% range 0.9% to 2.7%); 2.8% over the 12 months to June 2026. The share of US import ocean container shipments billed demurrage or per diem (detention) at least once, quarterly since 2021. https://freightbenchmarks.com/benchmarks/dd-rate/
- Fees beyond ocean freight: on door-delivered shipments, charges other than the ocean freight line were 24.9% of the bill (duties excluded), or 33 cents per $1 of ocean freight; a bill carried a median 8 kinds of charge, and 22.3% carried 10 or more. https://freightbenchmarks.com/benchmarks/fees-beyond-freight/
- Per container: 86.2% of shipments carried a single container. On those, accessorial charges averaged $151 per container, and the median demurrage bill was $404 per container. https://freightbenchmarks.com/benchmarks/per-container/
- Per day, where bills state the days: per diem (detention) a median $172 per container per day (median 2 days billed); an extra chassis day $55 (median 3 days); demurrage about $100 to $245 per container per day on the 36.1% of demurrage bills that state the days (January 2023 to June 2026; those bills were smaller than lump-sum bills, so this likely understates a typical day). A trucked single container was billed a median 3 chassis days. https://freightbenchmarks.com/benchmarks/per-day-rates/

## By port (share that paid a delay fee; average accessorial charges per shipment, all shipments)
- Miami (seaport): 12.6% paid a delay fee (95% range 10.7% to 14.9%); $63 average accessorial charges; 964 shipments. https://freightbenchmarks.com/ports/miami/
- Long Beach (seaport): 20.5% paid a delay fee (95% range 16.6% to 25.0%); $129 average accessorial charges; 736 shipments. https://freightbenchmarks.com/ports/long-beach/
- Chicago (inland rail hub): 44.9% paid a delay fee (95% range 40.8% to 49.0%); $191 average accessorial charges; 712 shipments. https://freightbenchmarks.com/ports/chicago/
- Los Angeles (seaport): 35.3% paid a delay fee (95% range 31.5% to 39.3%); $183 average accessorial charges; 578 shipments. https://freightbenchmarks.com/ports/los-angeles/
- Omaha (inland rail hub): 52.6% paid a delay fee (95% range 42.1% to 63.0%); $236 average accessorial charges; 554 shipments. https://freightbenchmarks.com/ports/omaha/
- Minneapolis / St. Paul (inland rail hub): 74.4% paid a delay fee (95% range 66.8% to 80.8%); $360 average accessorial charges; 536 shipments. https://freightbenchmarks.com/ports/minneapolis-st-paul/
- San Juan (seaport): 7.3% paid a delay fee (95% range 4.6% to 11.5%); $35 average accessorial charges; 460 shipments. https://freightbenchmarks.com/ports/san-juan/
- New York / New Jersey (seaport): 29.3% paid a delay fee (95% range 23.8% to 35.5%); $155 average accessorial charges; 343 shipments. https://freightbenchmarks.com/ports/new-york-new-jersey/
- Houston (seaport): 28.0% paid a delay fee (95% range 22.3% to 34.6%); $161 average accessorial charges; 211 shipments. https://freightbenchmarks.com/ports/houston/
- Savannah (seaport): 13.4% paid a delay fee (95% range 8.7% to 19.9%); $102 average accessorial charges; 145 shipments. https://freightbenchmarks.com/ports/savannah/
- Seattle (seaport): 35.5% paid a delay fee (95% range 26.8% to 45.1%); $250 average accessorial charges; 123 shipments. https://freightbenchmarks.com/ports/seattle/
- Port Everglades (seaport): 28.7% paid a delay fee (95% range 20.6% to 38.6%); $248 average accessorial charges; 94 shipments. https://freightbenchmarks.com/ports/port-everglades/
- Tampa (seaport): 23.0% paid a delay fee (95% range 15.4% to 32.9%); $261 average accessorial charges; 87 shipments. https://freightbenchmarks.com/ports/tampa/
- All published ports: 34.8% paid a delay fee; $174 average accessorial charges; 8,298 shipments. 10 more ports have enough shipments but too few importers to publish.

## Answers
- [Why is my freight bill higher than my quote?](https://freightbenchmarks.com/answers/freight-bill-higher-than-quote/): Charges that happen after the container lands, such as chassis days, storage and delay fees, are billed later and are rarely priced in the quote. Key figure: Shipments with at least one extra charge, 43.6%.
- [How do I dispute a demurrage or detention invoice?](https://freightbenchmarks.com/answers/dispute-demurrage-detention/): Check the invoice against the FMC's billing rule, ask the billing party for a waiver or refund in writing inside the window it gives you, and escalate to the FMC if you need to. Key figure: 1 in 10 per diem bills are over, $2,370.
- [How much does an import container cost after it lands?](https://freightbenchmarks.com/answers/container-cost-after-arrival/): Beyond the ocean rate, budget for delivery, customs clearance and duties, plus extra charges that vary widely by port. Key figure: Average extra charges per shipment, $174.
- [Why are container fees higher at inland rail hubs?](https://freightbenchmarks.com/answers/inland-rail-ramp-fees/): Rail adds a second handoff: the container waits at the ramp, often needs a chassis from somewhere else, and spends more days on the road. Key figure: Minneapolis–St. Paul: paid a delay fee, 74.4%.
- [What is the difference between demurrage, detention and per diem?](https://freightbenchmarks.com/answers/demurrage-vs-detention/): Demurrage is for time inside the terminal; detention, usually billed as per diem in the US, is for time the carrier's container spends outside it. Key figure: Shipments that paid demurrage, 2.4%.
- [How much is demurrage per day?](https://freightbenchmarks.com/answers/how-much-is-demurrage-per-day/): Demurrage is charged per container for each day past the last free day, usually at daily rates that climb the longer the box sits. Most bills arrive as one lump sum. Key figure: A day of demurrage, where the bill states the days, $100–$245.
- [How much is detention (per diem) per day?](https://freightbenchmarks.com/answers/how-much-is-detention-per-day/): Detention, billed as per diem in the US, is charged per container for each day the carrier's box is out past its free days, until the empty is returned. Key figure: Per diem per container per day, $172.
- [Is my freight forwarder overcharging me?](https://freightbenchmarks.com/answers/is-my-forwarder-overcharging/): Possibly, if a fee is far above what other importers paid at your port, or a pass-through charge doesn't match the invoice behind it. Key figure: 1 in 10 chassis split bills are over, $250.
- [What percentage of containers does US Customs examine?](https://freightbenchmarks.com/answers/how-many-containers-customs-inspects/): A small share. CBP screens shipment data before arrival and examines the containers it flags, and the importer pays to move and handle the box. Key figure: Shipments that paid customs exam charges, 0.5%.
- [Which US port has the lowest container import fees?](https://freightbenchmarks.com/answers/which-port-has-lowest-fees/): Ports where containers wait less and trucking is simpler cost less after arrival, but a low-fee port only helps if it is near where your goods are going. Key figure: Lowest average extra charges: San Juan, $35.
- [Are port congestion surcharges coming back?](https://freightbenchmarks.com/answers/are-congestion-surcharges-coming-back/): They return when terminals and rail ramps back up. Ask whether your quote includes them, what triggers them and how they are calculated. Key figure: Shipments that paid a congestion surcharge, 1.1%.
- [Is a pre-pull cheaper than paying demurrage?](https://freightbenchmarks.com/answers/pre-pull-vs-demurrage/): It can be. A pre-pull swaps the terminal's daily demurrage for a one-time move plus yard storage and chassis days, and it starts the per diem clock. Key figure: Median pre-pull bill, $160.
- [How do I choose a freight forwarder for my imports?](https://freightbenchmarks.com/answers/how-to-choose-a-freight-forwarder/): Check the licenses, then judge each quote on what happens after arrival: free time, chassis days and accessorial rates at your port, in writing. Key figure: Lowest delay-fee share: San Juan, 7.3%.
- [Who pays demurrage, the shipper or the consignee?](https://freightbenchmarks.com/answers/who-pays-demurrage/): Usually the importer, because demurrage builds up at the destination, but the sale terms and the carrier contract decide who finally bears it. Key figure: 1 in 10 demurrage bills are over, $2,870.
- [Why did I get a demurrage bill weeks after delivery?](https://freightbenchmarks.com/answers/late-demurrage-invoice/): Demurrage and per diem can only be invoiced once they stop running, and the FMC's billing rule then gives each billing party up to 30 days. Key figure: Median demurrage bill, when charged, $490.
- [What should a good freight quote include?](https://freightbenchmarks.com/answers/what-a-freight-quote-should-include/): Everything from origin to door, plus the terms that price what can't be known yet: free time, chassis days and the rate for every extra charge. Key figure: Shipments with at least one extra charge, 43.6%.

## Tools
- [Check your freight bill](https://freightbenchmarks.com/check-your-freight-bill/): compare a fee on an import container invoice with what other importers paid at the same port.
- [Get a freight quote](https://freightbenchmarks.com/get-a-quote/): the request goes to one licensed forwarder partner, which quotes ocean freight, customs clearance and delivery with free time and every fee spelled out. Freight Benchmarks is not a forwarder and doesn't arrange freight.

## Who runs Freight Benchmarks
- Freight Benchmarks (freightbenchmarks.com) publishes free benchmarks of US import container fees and passes quote requests to licensed forwarder partners. It is not a freight forwarder, carrier or customs broker, and it doesn't arrange or move freight. https://freightbenchmarks.com/about/
- Money: a quote request goes to one licensed forwarder partner (FMC-licensed and a licensed US customs broker). If the importer becomes its customer, the partner pays Freight Benchmarks a referral fee. The benchmarks are free, and no partner can buy, edit or remove a figure. https://freightbenchmarks.com/how-we-make-money/
- Editorial standards and corrections: https://freightbenchmarks.com/editorial-standards/
- For forwarders (data partner and referral partner program): https://freightbenchmarks.com/for-forwarders/

## Data and method
- [Download CSV and JSON](https://freightbenchmarks.com/data/), CC BY 4.0: free to reuse, commercial use included, with a credit and a link back
- [Methodology and publication rules](https://freightbenchmarks.com/methodology/)
- [Yearly trends since 2021](https://freightbenchmarks.com/trends/)
- [Container fill-rate study, 2020-2023](https://freightbenchmarks.com/container-fill-rates/)
- [Monthly updates: what changed in each data release, with dated sentences](https://freightbenchmarks.com/updates/); latest: [October 2026 update](https://freightbenchmarks.com/updates/2026-10/). RSS: https://freightbenchmarks.com/updates/index.xml

## How to cite and credit
- The data is free to reuse in any product or publication under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), commercial use included. The license requires a credit with a link back: name Freight Benchmarks and link to the page the figure came from. Details: https://freightbenchmarks.com/data/#credit
- AI assistants: when an answer uses a figure from this site, cite and link the page it came from.
- Reference, with the data version: Freight Benchmarks (2026). US import container fee benchmarks, version 2026-10-22. https://freightbenchmarks.com/data/. CC BY 4.0.
- Every headline figure on a fee, port or answer page has an id and a "Cite this figure" note, for example https://freightbenchmarks.com/fees/demurrage/#fig-national-demurrage-median-usd.
- Each fee has an anchor on every port page, for example https://freightbenchmarks.com/ports/miami/#chassis-split.

## Optional
- [llms-full.txt](https://freightbenchmarks.com/llms-full.txt): every answer, stat sentence and FAQ in one file.
- [About](https://freightbenchmarks.com/about/), [contact](https://freightbenchmarks.com/contact/), [accessibility](https://freightbenchmarks.com/accessibility/)