There is a cost in importing that doesn’t appear in any initial quote and can grow day by day without you noticing. It’s called demurrage, and it’s one of the expenses that most surprises Chilean importers when the invoice arrives.
Not because it’s unknown, but because no one monitors it with the attention it deserves—until it’s too late.
What is demurrage?
Demurrage is the charge applied by the shipping line when a container is not removed from the port terminal within the agreed free time. This period, known as “free days,” is the time granted at no cost for the importer to pick up the cargo. Once that period expires, the clock starts ticking.
The charge is applied per day, per container. Depending on the shipping line, container type, and port, it can range from USD 50 to USD 200 or more per day. In operations with delays of two or three weeks, the accumulated amount can far exceed the original freight cost.
It’s important not to confuse demurrage with detention. They are two different charges:
- Demurrage: occurs when the container remains at the port terminal beyond the free period. It is charged by the terminal or shipping line for occupying space at the port.
- Detention: occurs when the container has already been picked up from the port but is not returned empty to the shipping line within the agreed timeframe. It is charged by the shipping line for the use of the equipment.
Both can accumulate in the same operation and may arrive as separate invoices, weeks after the cargo has been picked up.
Why does demurrage happen and how does it accumulate?
The most common causes in import operations to Chile are:
- Delays in customs clearance: if documentation is not ready or complete when the cargo arrives, the clearance process is extended and free days are consumed while waiting.
- Customs inspections: when customs selects the cargo for physical inspection, the process can take additional days that were not planned.
- Lack of coordination in local transport: if the truck is not scheduled in time for pickup, days continue to pass at the terminal.
- Lack of awareness of deadlines: many importers don’t know exactly how many free days they have or when they start counting, making it impossible to react in time.
ComexPoint Tip
Demurrage is not inevitable. In most cases, it can be avoided or significantly reduced with one thing: knowing exactly where your cargo is and how many free days you have left.
With ComexPoint, you have real-time visibility of your entire operation. You know when your container arrives, how many free days you have according to the shipping line, and what stage your customs clearance is in—all from a single platform. This allows you to coordinate local transport in advance and prevent the clock from working against you.
Who can help you?
If you want real control over the timelines and costs of your import, ComexPoint allows you to:
- Coordinate the entire operation from a single platform, including customs, local transport, and port-related costs
- Request and compare logistics providers directly, without intermediaries or communication delays
Final ComexPoint Checklist: how to avoid demurrage on your next import
- Do you know exactly how many free days the shipping line grants for this shipment?
- Do you know the exact arrival date of the container at the port?
- Is your customs documentation ready before the cargo arrives?
- Have you coordinated local transport in advance?
- Are you monitoring the customs clearance process in real time?
- Do you have visibility over all deadlines from a single platform?
