Cost structure / standard tiers
Missing the LFD triggers demurrage on a sliding daily scale that increases the longer the container remains in the terminal.
| Days Past LFD | Typical Daily Rate |
|---|---|
| Days 1-4 | $150-$250/container/day |
| Day 5-6 onward | $300+/container/day |
| LFD extension request (granted proactively) | No charge, but subject to terminal/carrier approval |
| Terminal storage fee (separate from carrier demurrage, some ports) | $25-75/day additional |
Once demurrage begins, there is typically no grace period — charges apply per container, per day, from the first day past LFD regardless of when pickup eventually occurs.
Risk mitigation / operational guidance
Treat the LFD posted at discharge as provisional rather than final, and subscribe to terminal EDI feeds or a tracking platform for real-time updates, since the date can move based on vessel performance and customs activity. Set dispatch alerts 48 hours ahead of the currently posted LFD rather than the original estimate, giving drayage providers a buffer to secure terminal appointments before the deadline. Confirm free-time allotments per terminal and carrier contract rather than assuming a standard 3-4 day window — allotments range from 2 to 5 days depending on the port and operator. If a delay is foreseeable (appointment unavailability, documentation hold), request an LFD extension from the carrier proactively rather than after the deadline passes, since extensions are far more likely to be granted before demurrage has already started accruing.