Demurrage and Detention are key terms in shipping and logistics, often related to fees for container use exceeding the agreed-upon time limits. Though frequently mentioned together or used interchangeably, they address different aspects of shipping delays.
These fees are commonly excluded from standard international moving contracts, highlighting the need for a clear understanding of the potential costs and responsibilities involved.
滞港费和滞箱费是航运和物流中的关键术语，通常与超出约定时限的集装箱使用费用有关。虽然它们经常一起提及或互换使用，但它们涉及运输延误的不同时段。 这些费用通常不包括在标准的 国际搬家合同中，因此作为客户，非常有必要了解这一潜在成本的来龙去脉。
(在中文语境，不同的物流参与者，对滞箱费和滞港费称谓可能略有不同）
Demurrage:
Definition:
Demurrage charges occur when containers discharged from vessels, but they remain at the terminal, port, or yard after the allowed free time for unloading has passed. This free time is typically outlined in a contract between the shipper and the carrier.
滞港费：
定义：集装箱在允许的卸货免费时段过后仍停留在码头、港口或堆场时，就收取滞港费。此免费时段通常在托运人和承运人之间的合同中规定。
Example:
If an importer doesn't pick up the container from the port within the allotted free time, a daily demurrage fee is charged for each extra day the container remains there.
With an international moving contract, the mover assumes the role of shipper on behalf of the goods owner and usually to pay such expenses on behalf to have container release in time.
Purpose: To encourage faster removal of goods and avoid congestion at port.
比如：如果在规定的免费时间内集装箱未从港口提离，则集装箱停留在那里的每一天都会收取滞期费。在国际搬家合同中搬家公司代表货主承担发货人角色，在产生此类费用是需要先行代为垫付以便于及时得到放货。
目的：鼓励更快地提离集装箱并避免港口、堆场拥堵。
Detention:
Definition:
Detention charges are applied when the container has left the terminal but has not been returned to the shipping line within the agreed free time.
滞箱费：
定义：当集装箱离开码头但未在约定的免费时间内归还集装箱时，将被收取滞留费、有的时候也叫超期用箱费。
Example: If a consignee takes the container to unload it but doesn't return the empty container on time, detention fees will be charged for each day the container is held beyond the agreed period.
Like demurrage, mover would usually settle the payment on behalf to have goods release in time.
Purpose: To discourage customers from holding onto containers longer than necessary after unloading.
例如：如果集装箱被提离港区送货，但没有按时归还空箱，超过约定期限的每一天都会收取滞留费。
与滞期费一样，搬家公司通常会代为结清款项，以便及时放行货物。
目的：避免客户送完货超期使用集装箱。
Key Differences:
Demurrage refers to the time the container stays at the port or terminal.
Detention applies to the time the container is held outside the terminal but not yet returned to the shipping line.
To help clarify this distinction, AMR has created a straightforward graphic to make it easier for clients to grasp the differences.
主要区别：
滞港费是指集装箱在港口或码头停留的时间。
滞箱费是指集装箱在码头外停留直到送还的时间。
为了帮助客户理解区别，AMR 创建了以下的简易图示。
Do they happen often?
In the case of commercial goods, demurrage and detention are relatively rare. However, for household goods and personal effects (HHG) shipments, they occur more frequently.
There are several reasons for this:
Outdated Customs Processes: Many countries still rely on traditional, paper-based customs procedures for HHG shipments, requiring physical copies of documents. This can slow down the clearance process since digital systems aren’t fully implemented, leading to potential delays at the port.
More Frequent Customs Inspections: HHG shipments are typically subject to stricter customs inspections compared to commercial goods. Personal items may need additional scrutiny to ensure compliance with regulations, which can further extend the time containers are held, increasing the likelihood of incurring demurrage and detention fees.
These factors make HHG shipments more prone to delays and related charges compared to commercial shipments, where processes tend to be more streamlined and predictable.
这类费用高发吗？
对于商业货物，滞港费和滞箱费发生的情况相对较少。但是, 对于家居用品和个人物品 (HHG) 货物, 它们发生的可能性更频繁。
笔者的总结的主要原因如下：
过时的海关流程：
许多国家仍然依赖传统的纸质海关程序来处理 HHG 货物，需要提供文件的纸质副本。由于数字系统尚未完全实施，这可能会减慢清关过程，从而导致延误。
更频繁的海关检查：
与商业货物相比，HHG 货物通常受到更严格的海关检查。个人物品可能需要额外审查以确保符合法规，这可能会进一步延长集装箱的停留时间，从而增加产生滞港费和滞箱费的可能性。
与流程往往更精简和可预测的商业货物相比，这些因素使 HHG 货物更容易出现延误和相关费用。
What can movers and clients do?
Advance Planning and Preparation
Movers should provide all relevant shipping documents as early as possible for customs purposes, such as the bill of lading. This proactive approach helps facilitate smoother customs clearance.
Clients, on their part, need to prepare the necessary customs documents within the specified timeline. It’s crucial to avoid including prohibited or restricted items, as these can trigger customs inspections, penalties, and fines, significantly increasing the risk of detention.
Both movers and clients would communicate closely about leading schedule such as client arrival, house readiness, storage requirement.
Failure of doing so might result in hurdle at customs, delay, and detention.
For example, some country must require client presence for customs clearance, failing to do this will cause significant customs delay and detention.
Use Transparent Ports and Routes
Movers should familiarize themselves with the customs processes at both the origin and destination ports. Understanding the specific requirements for household goods (HHG), including restricted or prohibited items, is essential to prevent customs delays.
For instance, movers in Germany often prefer shipping HHG via Bremerhaven port rather than Hamburg because Bremerhaven offers a simpler and more transparent customs process. Additionally, shipments of HHG destined for U.S. ports should avoid routes through Canada, as these often encounter customs hurdles that can lead to delays.
Obtain Detention and Demurrage Tariffs
It’s advisable to obtain a tariff when booking containers. This practice encourages both movers and clients to manage the shipment timeline more effectively and stay on top of key milestones such as customs clearance, document submission, and container pickup or return.
Moreover, having a well-defined detention and demurrage tariff provides clarity for both parties. It ensures that the shipper and client are fully aware of potential fees if containers are delayed beyond the allowed free time. This transparency helps eliminate the risk of unexpected costs later in the process, particularly in the face of uncontrollable disruptions such as natural disasters, wars, or port strikes, congestion, customs shipment backlog.
Below is a transparent detention and demurrage rates advised when booking a 20ft container from Shanghai to Bremerhaven.
搬家公司和客户可以做什么？
提前规划和准备:
搬家公司应尽早提供所有相关的运输文件准备报关手续，例如提单。这种有助于更顺利地清关。
客户则需要在规定的时间内准备必要的海关文件。避免错运禁运物品非常，因为这些物品可能会引发海关检查、处罚和罚款，从而大大增加被滞留延误的风险。
搬家公司和客户需要保持及时的沟通了解客户动态安排，比如合适抵达目的地、新房屋准备就绪情况、存仓要求等。
如果不这样做，可能会导致海关清关不及时、延误以及滞箱费的发生。
例如，一些国家必须要求客户在场才能清关，如果不这样做，将导致严重的海关清关延误和滞箱费。
使用清关更简易顺利的港口和路线
搬家公司应熟悉始发港和目的地港口的海关流程。了解家居用品搬迁 (HHG) 的具体要求（包括限制或禁止物品），这样有利于避免海关清关延误。
例如，德国的搬家公司通常会要求通过不来梅港而不是汉堡港运送 家居私人物品HHG，因为不来梅港的海关流程更简单、更透明。此外，运往美国港口的 HHG 货物应避免途经加拿大的港口进入美国港口，因为这样的路线会带来极大的海关清关麻烦。
提前获知滞港费和滞箱费收费标准
搬家公司应尽量在预订集装箱时获取船公司和目的港的滞箱费和滞港费收费标准。这样做可以更有效提高搬家公司和客户的对接运输装运时间表，并掌控推进关键流程，例如海关清关、文件提交和集装箱提离和送还。
此外，明确的费用，确保搬家公司和客户充分了解如果集装箱延误超过允许的免费时间，可能产生的费用。这种透明度有助于消除后续流程中意外成本的风险，特别是在面临自然灾害、战争或港口罢工和拥堵,海关挤压等不可控的干扰时。
以下是从上海到不来梅港预订 20 英尺集装箱时建议的透明滞留费率和滞期费率。
For most carriers, providing demurrage and container charges like the example above is not a big challenge.
However, there are still some countries where these charges, especially demurrage charges, are not transparent, especially for those port, shipping companies and carriers that not directly participate in the operation and management.
对大多数承运人来说，提供像上图示例的滞港费和滞箱费挑战并不大。不过依然存在一些国家的港口费用，特别是滞港费不透明的情况，尤其以船公司承运人不直接参与经营管理的港口为甚。
In conclusion, understanding demurrage and detention is essential for any stakeholders involved in shipping, particularly for household goods (HHG) shipments, where these charges are more common. By staying informed about the differences between these fees, planning ahead, and ensuring timely documentation, both movers and clients can minimize delays and avoid unnecessary costs. Having transparent tariffs in place also provides clarity and helps streamline the process, making it easier to manage the logistics of international moving.
总之，对于所有运输的参与方，了解滞港费和滞箱费十分重要，对于更高发的家私用品 (HHG) 运输来说更是如此，因为这些额外费用更加难以管理和避免。通过了解这些费用之间的差异、提前规划并确保及时沟通，搬家公司和客户都可以最大限度地减少延误并避免不必要的成本。提前获知费用明细也可以提高费用清晰度并有利于管理预期，使管理国际搬运的物流环节变得不那么有挑战。
