The $2,000 "Parking Ticket": How to Avoid Demurrage & Detention Charges at US Ports in 2026⚓

Date: December 30, 2025    Category: Logistics Risks / Cost Control

Imagine this scenario: Your container finally arrives at the Port of Long Beach after 25 days on the water. You are excited to get your stock into Amazon FBA. Three days later, you check the status. It hasn't moved. Five days later, still nothing. On the seventh day, it finally moves, but your freight forwarder sends you a new invoice: "Port Fees: $2,400."

You shout, "What is this?! I already paid for shipping!"

Welcome to the nightmare of Demurrage and Detention. In the logistics world, we call these "The Silent Profit Killers." In 2026, with US ports becoming stricter on container turnaround times, these fees are destroying the margins of unprepared Amazon sellers.

At Forest Leopard, we believe you should pay for movement, not for storage. Today, we explain exactly what these fees are and how our "Track Em’ All™ system" prevents them.

The Vocabulary of Pain: Demurrage vs. Detention📖

Many sellers use these words interchangeably, but they are different penalties charged by different people.

1. Demurrage (The "Rent" for Space)🏗️

• Who charges it? The Port Terminal.
• Why? Because your container is taking up space on their dock.
• When does it start? Usually 4-5 days after the container is unloaded from the ship. This is your "Free Time."
• The Cost: It can range from $150 to $300 per day per container.

2. Detention (The "Rent" for the Box)📦

• Who charges it? The Steamship Line (e.g., COSCO, Maersk).
• Why? Because you have held onto their empty container for too long. They want their equipment back to ship it to the next customer.
• When does it start? When your trucker picks up the container but fails to return the empty box within the "Free Time" (usually 3-5 days).
• The Cost: Typically $150 to $250 per day.

The 2026 Trap: If your truck driver picks up the container but realizes the Amazon FBA warehouse is full and refuses the delivery appointment, you are stuck holding the container. Detention fees start ticking. If you keep it for a week, that's $1,500 gone.

Why Does This Happen? (It's Not Just "Bad Luck")🛑

Most FBA sellers blame "congestion," but the real reason is often poor planning by the logistics provider.

Here are the three most common reasons our competitors get hit with these fees:

1. Late Customs Entry: They wait until the ship docks to file customs paperwork. If Customs flags it for an exam, boom—Demurrage starts immediately.

2. Chassis Shortage: The trucker goes to the port to pick up your box, but there are no "wheels" (chassis) available. They leave empty-handed. The clock keeps ticking.

3. Amazon Appointment Delays: Amazon FBA (especially LAX9 or ONT8) often delays delivery appointments during peak season. If your forwarder doesn't have a temporary holding yard, the container sits on the chassis, accruing Detention fees.

The Forest Leopard Solution: The "Pre-Clearance" Protocol🛡️

We hate these fees as much as you do. That is why Forest Leopard operates differently. We don't just react; we predict.

1. The "5-Day Rule"(Customs Pre-Clearance)

We never wait for the ship to dock. We file your ISF and Customs Entry (Entry Summary) 5 days before the vessel arrives.

The Benefit: By the time the ship hits the dock, your cargo is already "Customs Released." We can pick it up on Day 1 of the Free Time, giving us a huge buffer.

2. The LFD (Last Free Day) Tracker🗓️

Our operations team tracks the Last Free Day for every single container. It is a strict deadline, not a suggestion.

l If we see your LFD is approaching and Amazon hasn't given us an appointment, we execute Plan B: We pull the container out of the port immediately and bring it to our Forest Leopard Transload Warehouse.

• Why? Pulling it out stops the expensive Demurrage clock. Storing it at our warehouse is 80% cheaper than storing it at the port.

3. Dedicated Chassis Fleet🚛

We don't rely 100% on the port's chassis pool. We work with trucking partners who own their private chassis fleets.

• The Benefit: When other forwarders are emailing you excuses like "Sorry, no chassis today," our trucks are already rolling out of the gate with your goods.

Summary: Don't let the Port Eat Your Profit

In 2026, shipping rates might look stable, but Demurrage and Detention are the hidden variables that can double your shipping cost overnight.

Don't work with a forwarder who treats these fees as "standard practice." Work with a partner who fights to keep your bill at $0.

Worried about your next Q1 shipment? Let us handle your FBA logistics. We watch the clock so you can watch your sales.

Get a Quote & "Zero-Demurrage" Plan