Demurrage is a charge applied when a container stays at the port terminal beyond the agreed free time. Rates, free days, and escalation tiers depend on the shipping line, port, terminal, and contract.

How does this calculator work?

Select import destination, port or region, container details, free days, days delayed, daily rate, currency, and shipments per year. Per shipment: total demurrage = containers × chargeable delayed days × daily rate, where chargeable delayed days = max(0, days delayed − free days). Annual exposure = total demurrage × shipments per year.

How is demurrage calculated?

This tool uses a simplified per-shipment formula. Actual invoices may include tiered rates, weekends, detention, or line-specific rules not modelled here.

What is the difference between demurrage and detention?

Demurrage usually applies while the container is at the port terminal. Detention applies while the container is in your possession outside the terminal. Both are time-based charges after free time expires.

How do payment delays cause demurrage?

If supplier payment, FX settlement, or document release is delayed, customs clearance and collection can slip. Each extra day at port after free time can add daily demurrage under your shipping contract.

Can demurrage be avoided?

International businesses reduce exposure by aligning payment timing, document release, customs readiness, and collection planning. No approach removes demurrage risk entirely — congestion and contract terms still matter.

How can Unicorn Currencies help?

Unicorn Currencies supports importers and exporters with international supplier payments, clearer FX pricing, payment references, execution support, and treasury desk follow-up. Clearer payment handling can reduce document-release delays that contribute to port hold-ups. Outcomes depend on your corridor, supplier, and compliance profile.

Tools · Demurrage calculator

What a stuck container really costs.

Estimate container delay costs and see how supplier payment timing, document release, and FX settlement feed your demurrage exposure.

FINTRAC MSB · BANK OF CANADA RPAA PSP

Estimate your exposureUSD

Containers per shipment10

Daily rate per container$150

Typical port ranges run $75 to $300, escalating with time on the ground.

Free days at port5

Days delayed (payment to pickup)12

CHARGEABLE DAYS7 DAYS
THIS SHIPMENT−$10,500
PER MONTH OF DELAYS LIKE THIS−$21,000
A YEAR OF IT−$252,000

Estimates for planning only. Actual tariffs vary by port, line, contract, and escalation tiers.

The chain

Demurrage is often a payment timing problem.

01

Supplier payment delayed

02

Documents released late

03

Clearance and collection slip

04

Demurrage builds daily

Common risk factors

Payment proof gaps

Suppliers hold documents until they can see the money. A reference and confirmation shortens the wait.

FX settlement lag

Conversion booked late means payment lands late. Review FX at your pre-agreed margin before the deadline, not after.

Cut-off misses

A payment instructed an hour late can lose a full banking day, and weekends compound it.

Where we help

Reduce payment-related demurrage risk.

Unicorn Currencies handles supplier payments with a pre-agreed FX margin, payment references, transaction proof, and treasury desk support, so delays caused by slow or unclear payment handling get shorter.

Timelines depend on corridor, beneficiary bank, compliance review, and supplier processes. Unicorn Currencies does not guarantee settlement speed or that demurrage will be avoided.

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