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Comparison of demurrage and detention charges among the seven major U.S.-bound container carriers: Which carriers offer a 4-day free period, and which charge $300 per day for each day beyond that?

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Industry Encyclopedia

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Time of issue：

2026-05-29 17:50

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One of the most common pitfalls when shipping to the U.S. East Coast: if the customer’s schedule gets delayed, containers sit at the terminal for a few extra days, and empty containers are returned late—leaving you stunned when the bill arrives.

The same 40HC container was left at the LA port for 5 days beyond the allowed time:

• Maersk: 4 days free; $300 per day for days 5–8.

• MSC: 4-day free period; Days 5–9: $150 per day

The gap can be as much as double. Even more problematic is that the fee structure for Detention—where containers are left on the terminal beyond the allowed time without being returned—is entirely different from Demurrage, and it varies from one shipping line to another.

Huijietong has compiled a comparative table of free‑time and demurrage charges for the seven major U.S. line carriers—please save it as a reference for your peers in the U.S. shipping industry.

01 First, let’s clarify the nouns.

A single shipment may be subject to multiple deductions, and the party against whom a complaint is filed varies depending on the location of the issue.

02 Comparison of Demurrage Charges Among the Seven Major Shipping Lines

West Coast U.S. ports (LA/LB), standard 40-foot HC dry container import:

> The above rates are the published tariff rates. Contract customers (NAC/SC) typically benefit from negotiated rates, which may be 30%–50% lower than the published rates; the exact terms are subject to the service contract.

This table reveals three things:

• The free period is typically 4 days, while ONE offers 5 days. It’s relatively friendly to goods with slow customs clearance.

• MSC has the lowest starting price. , 5–9 days—150 per day, 50% cheaper than Maersk.

• Long-term contracts have generally surged to 355–395. If a bill sits in the cabinet for more than two weeks, burn one high‑value invoice each day.

03 Comparison of Detention Charges Among the Seven Major Shipping Lines

If, after the container is removed from the terminal, it remains an empty container beyond the free period, the shipping line will charge accordingly:

Detention is cheaper than demurrage, but the cumulative costs can still be substantial—leaving a empty container for 10 days without returning it typically incurs an average charge of $2,000 to $3,000.

04 Real-World Pitfalls: 5 Details That Most Easily Lead to Losses

① The free period is calculated in “calendar days,” not “business days.”

Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, COSCO, ONE, Hapag-Lloyd, and Evergreen all calculate transit times based on calendar days, including Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Do not estimate using business days, as this will understate the total by 2–3 days.

② Free Time has a different start time.

With the same 4-day free period, Hapag-Lloyd’s actual window is 1–2 days longer.

③ Delays caused by customs inspection shall be exempt from liability on a case-by-case basis.

Be sure to retain the CBP Hold/Release timestamp.

④ The contract price differs significantly from the publicly announced price.

The table above shows the Tariff (published rates). Customers with a Service Contract typically receive a 30–50% discount. Contract freight forwarders should retrieve their own D&D Tariffs from the shipping line’s back‑office system and refrain from quoting customers based on the published rates.

⑤ Inland Points (IPI) have a separate per diem schedule.

Goods are shipped by rail to Chicago, Dallas, and Memphis. The over‑time rates differ from those at seaports—some are higher, while others offer an additional free‑of‑charge period. Be sure to confirm the destination when requesting a quote.

05 When can we secure an extension of the free period?

In most cases, the shipping company will acknowledge the claim, but the procedure must be followed in accordance with established protocols:

Key deadline: Appeals must be submitted within 30 days of receiving the bill; late submissions will not be accepted.

• MSC Dispute Email: usa-ny.detention@msc.com

• Other shipping lines: All have a dedicated complaint portal for demurrage and detention on their official websites.

06 Quick Decision-Making Reference

Container detention and demurrage charges on U.S. routes are often the most underestimated item in quotations. When a customer asks, “Can it be cleared within 5 days?”, you should have this pricing table firmly in mind: how much per day for each day over the limit, and what the total cost will be if the delay exceeds 10 days.

We recommend saving this for future reference—whether you’re preparing a quote, reconciling accounts with clients, or filing a dispute with the shipping line, you can use it to verify details.

Huijietong | U.S.-bound Cross-Border Logistics Service Provider

Ensure fee transparency and keep risks under control.