# What Are Demurrage and Detention? Free Time and Charge Calculation

> The difference between container demurrage and detention, free time, tiered daily rates and ways to reduce delay costs.

- URL: https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/container/demurrage-and-detention-explained
- Language: en
- Updated: 2026-10-03
- Publisher: FCRSOFT (https://fcrsoft.com)

[Demos](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/?hl=en) / [Knowledge Center](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/guides) / What Are Demurrage and Detention? Guide

# What Are Demurrage and Detention?

Demurrage is charged when a full container stays in the terminal beyond free time; detention when the container is kept outside the terminal beyond free time. Together, a single delay can approach the freight amount.
[See the system that does this automatically Open the live demo](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/login.php?package=freight)

## Where is the difference?

- Demurrage: the container is in the terminal (from discharge to pick-up). Charged by the terminal and the line.

- Detention: the container is outside the terminal (from full gate-out to empty return). Paid to the container owner.

- Some lines grant both as a single combined free time.

## Tiered charges

Charge = Tier 1 days × Tier 1 rate + Tier 2 days × Tier 2 rate + Remaining days × Last tier rate
Rates are usually low in the first days, then double or triple. Even a few days’ delay therefore costs more than expected.
[Free tool Demurrage Tier Calculator](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/container/demurrage-tier-calculator) **Act Before Demurrage and Detention Invoices Arrive**FCRSOFT counts each container’s free time, warns you before the last free day and posts any demurrage and detention to the file.
[Open the live demo](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/login.php?package=freight) [Request a demo](https://fcrsoft.com/en/contact/)

## Track the last free day

Free time usually starts on the discharge day. Knowing each container’s last free day and empty return date in advance, and planning customs and delivery around them, is the most effective measure.
[Free tool Free Time Date Calculator](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/container/free-time-date-calculator)

## Ways to reduce the cost

- Negotiate extended free time at booking.

- Prepare customs documents before the vessel arrives.

- Confirm warehouse and truck plans before pulling the container.

- Schedule the empty return as soon as unloading is finished.

FCRSOFT

## FCRSOFT does this for you automatically

You don’t need to do the calculations and checks on this page by hand every day. FCRSOFT derives them all automatically from the records entered in the field.

- Each container’s free time is counted from discharge.

- You are warned before the last free day.

- Any demurrage and detention incurred is posted to the file cost.

[Open the live demo](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/login.php?package=freight) [Explore the Freight & Container package](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/demo/freight?hl=en)

[demo.fcrsoft.com](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/login.php?package=freight)

## Frequently asked questions

Who is responsible for demurrage?
Usually the party obliged to take delivery of the container, in most cases the buyer or importer; the sales contract and Incoterm decide.

Last updated: 10/3/2026

## Related tools and guides

[Free tool ### Demurrage Calculator Calculate tiered demurrage for the days a container stays at the terminal beyond free time. Open the tool](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/container/demurrage-calculator) [Free tool ### Detention Calculator Calculate detention for days a container is kept outside the terminal (from full gate-out to empty return) beyond free time. Open the tool](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/container/detention-calculator) [Free tool ### Demurrage + Detention Calculator Calculate the same container’s terminal (demurrage) and outside-terminal (detention) charges together, each with its own free time. Open the tool](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/container/demurrage-and-detention-calculator) [Free tool ### Free Time Date Calculator Find the last free terminal day and the empty return deadline from discharge and gate-out dates. Open the tool](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/container/free-time-date-calculator)