Demurrage, detention and storage on China imports
Demurrage covers container use inside the terminal, detention covers use outside it, and storage covers occupied space. Confirm each charge's free time and stopping event in writing, track collection and empty return separately, and dispute invoices against the agreed terms and movement records. Ask Cambridge China Bridge to help check the shipment paperwork.
Identify what each charge covers
For container imports, demurrage generally concerns container equipment inside the port terminal; detention concerns equipment outside it until empty return; storage concerns space occupied at a terminal, yard or warehouse. Read the shipment's tariff carefully: ask whether equipment time is charged separately or combined, and whether storage is additional. Similar invoice labels do not prove that charges duplicate each other.
For shared-container cargo, ask the unpacking depot about cargo availability, collection deadlines and warehouse storage rather than assuming a full-container allowance applies. Our hidden import costs guide covers the wider budget; this guide focuses on the charge clocks and supporting records.
Get free-time terms before booking
Ask the forwarder to obtain written confirmation from the carrier and terminal or depot for your actual booking. Request the applicable tariff version, container type, separate or combined allowances, charge bands, currency and billing party. Ask which event starts and stops each clock, whether event dates count, and whether weekends and bank holidays count.
Request the last free date for collection and empty return, with the local cut-off time and return location. Ask whether a negotiated allowance also covers terminal storage and how amended arrival dates affect it. Keep the booking confirmation and any extension approval. With CIF, identify the UK agent before paying; see CIF destination charges.
Keep a shared deadline record
Give a named person responsibility for a shared shipment record. Include the booking and container references, discharge date, cargo availability, customs and carrier release status, last free collection date, delivery appointment, last free empty-return date and nominated depot. Save dated confirmations and distinguish expected events from completed movements.
Update the record when the vessel schedule or release status changes. Ask the forwarder to confirm revised deadlines rather than calculating from the estimated arrival alone. Arrange document release using our bills of lading and cargo release guide, and prepare the clearance paperwork using our customs documents guide.
Prevent delays and preserve evidence
Check that the haulier can collect released cargo, that your warehouse can unload it, and that the nominated depot can accept the empty container. Keep the collection record, delivery confirmation and depot receipt showing the actual empty-return time. Follow the operational handoffs in our container delivery guide. Delivery to your warehouse is not the empty-return event.
If clearance, a collection slot or empty return is blocked, notify the forwarder and billing party promptly. Save hold notices, rejected bookings, depot instructions and correspondence. Request an alternative return location or written extension before the deadline where possible. Ask explicitly whether charges continue during the problem; do not assume a hold or a pending dispute pauses them.
Challenge an invoice line by line
Match the invoice to the booking, container, charge type and agreed tariff. Request the start and stop events, charged dates, free-time calculation, rate bands and any underlying terminal invoice for passed-on charges. Check for the wrong container type, ignored extensions, incorrect movement dates, arithmetic errors or overlapping charges already included elsewhere.
Send a written dispute identifying each contested line, your calculation and the attached booking terms, extension approvals and movement receipts. Request a corrected invoice or credit note and a written response. If the charge matches the terms but a delay was outside your control, request a waiver separately. Agree how cargo release and uncontested payment will proceed, and escalate unresolved items to the billing manager.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between demurrage and detention?
Demurrage generally covers container use inside the terminal; detention covers use outside it until empty return. Check whether your booking combines them and bills storage separately.
Does container free time include weekends?
Ask for the booking's counting method in writing, including weekends, bank holidays, event dates and local cut-off times. Do not assume working days.
Does customs clearance stop storage charges?
Do not use customs release as the stopping event unless the applicable terms say so. Confirm the collection deadline and actual collection record separately.
How do I dispute an incorrect demurrage invoice?
Identify the disputed lines and attach agreed free-time terms, extensions and movement receipts. Request the billing calculation and a corrected invoice or credit note; confirm arrangements for release and uncontested payment.