DEMURRAGE, DETENTION, PER DIEM AND
STORAGE CHARGES IN THE USA

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What is Detention, Demurrage, Per Diem and Storage in the USA?
  • Detention - Charge applicable, after the free time expires, for the use of the carrier’s full container inside the marine terminal or railroad facilities or container yard. This also applies while the container is undergoing U.S. custom examination, or while it is undergoing reworking of cargo for safety reasons.    

  • Demurrage - Charge applicable, after the free time expires, inside the terminal for the use of the land.

  • Per Diem - Charge applicable, after the free time expires, for the use of the carrier’s container (full or empty) outside the marine terminal, rail ramp or container yard. 

  • Storage - Charge applicable, after the free time expires, inside the rail ramp or container yard for the use of the land.

Please kindly refer to the below email addresses in case of disputed charges

Disputes

In case of disputes please open a case online.

Alternatively, please use one of the email below

 

• Per Diem

USA-perdiem.disputes@msc.com 


• Demurrage and Import Detention

usa-ny.detention@msc.com

• Rail Detention

USA-rail.detention@msc.com

Detention and Demurrage Payment Procedure

Demurrage Detention and Per Diem Dispute Procedure

When initiating a dispute, if it’s related to Container Per Diem, please ensure to provide the Per Diem Invoice number that ends with ”P”. For all other types of disputes, Chassis Per Diem, Demurrage and Import detention it’s crucial to include the MSC BL number, the container number, and a comprehensive explanation of the dispute. Depending on the specific circumstances of the dispute, supplementary evidence may be necessary as detailed below.

 

Demurrage and Import Detention:

Disputes for service contract special conditions: Service contract number and documentation for the relevant contractual terms.

Disputes due to inability to secure a terminal appointment to pick up equipment: A screenshot indicating no appointments were available for each day of the free time period and up to the day of pickup. Each daily screenshot must be time stamped and show no appointments were available for all shifts and as far into the future as the terminal system allows.

Disputes due to containers associated with Government holds: A statement validating the customs hold was not a result of any action by the shipper, their agent, or any party to the bill of lading.

 

Per Diem:

Disputes for service contract special conditions: Service contract number and documentation for the relevant contractual terms.

Disputes due to inability to secure a terminal appointment to return equipment: A time stamped screenshot of a terminal appointment system indicating an appointment was not available at any applicable MSC return locations for the date a waiver is being applied for, including all shifts where applicable. The screenshot(s) must be taken the day prior to the Waiver Date and on the Waiver Date. The screenshots must be taken between 6:00 a.m.-12:00pm (noon) the day before the Waiver Date and between 6:00a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on the Waiver Date, in the time zone of the relevant terminal.

Disputes due to inability to secure a rail reservation for export shipments: A screenshot indicating no reservations were available for each day of the receiving window as indicated on the booking confirmation.

 

Disputes must be submitted to MSC within 30 days of the invoice date. We will provide feedback on your dispute within 7 business days of receipt.

 

Detention and Demurrage payment through E- Pay

Paying by Credit Card: Please log onto https://e-pay.mymsc.com/iPayment/ and insert your invoice number (not BL#, CNTR# or any other reference). You can then add it to the cart and proceed with the payment. You will receive the payment confirmation and this same confirmation will be received by our Demurrage/Detention group which will proceed with the release and will notify you accordingly. No further message should be sent to US038-nydetention@msc.com

Detention and Demurrage updated payment policy

Please kindly note that by April 15th, 2021, the DDP Department will no longer accept check copies or written guarantees to release shipments from Detention and Demurrage hold.


The following options are available for release of shipment:

For  immediate release, payment must be submitted via credit card.
• If the payment cannot be done by credit card, payment by check, ACH is acceptable. However, the shipment will be released ONLY after the payment is received.

For Detention, Demurrage and Per Diem charges kindly check the documents below.