Demurrage & Detention Calculator
Calculate demurrage (port delay charges on the container at terminal) and detention (charges for keeping the container outside the terminal) based on free days and daily tariff rates.
Results
What is it?
Demurrage = charges levied by the shipping line / terminal when a container is not picked up within the free days at the port of discharge. Detention = charges when the container (after pickup) is not returned to the depot within the allowed free days. These are major unexpected costs in international trade — often USD 50–200/day per container.
How to use
Enter the free days granted by your shipping line (check the Bill of Lading or shipping line tariff), the actual days the container spent at the terminal / with the customer, and the daily rate. Rates escalate in tiers — enter the applicable average rate or use the highest tier for a conservative estimate.
Example scenario
3 × 40ft containers with 5 demurrage free days, held 9 days → 4 chargeable days × $75 × 3 = $900. Detention free days = 7, held 12 days → 5 chargeable days × $50 × 3 = $750. Total = $1,650.
Pro tip
Many shipping lines tier demurrage rates — e.g. days 1–5 free, days 6–10 at $75/day, days 11+ at $150/day. Always request the full tariff and budget for the worst tier. Track container return dates meticulously — even one day over can cost hundreds of dollars. Negotiate extended free days when booking for complex cargoes or remote destinations.