Per-Diem and Detention Charges in Shipping: What They Are and How to Prevent Them

Detention and demurrage charges—already a pain point for importers—are once again under scrutiny. In 2025, a mix of regulatory ambiguity, evolving steamship line practices, and a volatile geopolitical environment is changing how these fees are applied—and how shippers must respond.

In this blog, we break down these fees for you, explain how they’re creating new challenges for shippers, and tell you what a 3PL provider like Weber Logistics can do to help mitigate these challenges.

What Are Detention Charges in Shipping?

“Detention charges” (also known as per-diem charges) apply when a container is not returned to the port within the allotted “free days.” These number of free days is set by the steamship lines (who own the containers).

For example, if ABC Shipping Line allows five free days after the container is outgated from a terminal, any delay beyond that incurs a daily charge—often between $125 and $175 per container per day.

These are distinct from demurrage charges, which occur when a container sits too long at a marine terminal after discharge but before being picked up. The number of “free time” here is set by terminal operators – so there can be differing numbers of free days between terminals at the same port.

Demurrage charge amounts vary from by port, terminal operator, and container type (20', 40', reefer). At Total Terminals International (TTI) at Port of Long Beach, for example, charges start at $175/day for dry containers and can rise to well above $300/day.

Federal Rulemaking and 2025 Enforcement Gaps

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) of 2022 led to updated guidance from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), requiring that detention and demurrage charges be reasonable and related to actual cargo movement. But in 2025, several challenges remain:

Enforcement is inconsistent, with limited FMC resources and a growing backlog of complaints.
Proposed billing reforms, including invoice transparency and time stamp requirements, are still under review, leaving a regulatory gray area.
Anecdotally, some shippers report that steamship lines (SSLs) are raising the documentation burden in per-diem disputes, making it harder to prove eligibility for waivers or refunds.

Why Detention Charges Are Back in the Spotlight in 2025

While Southern California port operations have stabilized compared to pandemic-era norms, new 2025 dynamics are creating a complex risk landscape:

Chassis Shortage: Not a Current Issue, but a Watchpoint

The domestic chassis supply has normalized for now—but could tighten quickly if post-tariff trade realignments drive up containerized imports. Should container volume spike later in the year, regional chassis pools may face sudden constraints, especially in secondary markets.

Persistent Global Volatility

While the Red Sea conflict has eased somewhat, political instability in the region remains a wildcard. Any flare-up could trigger schedule changes, port bunching (when multiple vessels arrive at a port within a short time frame, often unexpectedly), or late vessel arrivals that compress free time windows for U.S. importers.

More Assertive Terminal Fee Enforcement

Terminals continue to aggressively enforce shorter free time allowances and more rigid billing cycles. Even minor missteps—such as missing an appointment by an hour—can result in full-day charges. Appeals often require meticulous documentation, and many importers simply pay the charge to keep cargo flowing.

How Weber Logistics Protects Clients from Detention Exposure

Weber continues to help shippers avoid costly detention and demurrage charges with a strategic blend of physical assets, technology, and proactive account management.

Integrated Drayage and Transload Operations

With 14 distribution centers near West Coast ports and an in-house fleet, Weber enables seamless drayage pickup and transload coordination—ensuring containers are moved quickly and without unnecessary delay.

Automated 24/7 Terminal Appointment Optimization

Weber uses an automated, 24/7 appointment booking system that continuously scans terminal systems for available slots, securing appointments as soon as they are released—often during off-peak hours when others are offline.

This helps you to:

Avoid missed free time windows by ensuring faster and more consistent scheduling
Reduce driver dwell time by targeting high efficiency appointment slots
Maintain compliance across terminals that frequently change their appointment platforms or rules

In a 2025 environment where appointment windows are shorter and more competitive, Weber’s round-the-clock automation gives our clients a significant operational edge.

Visibility Tech and Exception Alerts

Weber tracks every container milestone in real time and issues alerts when containers near free time expiration. This enables early intervention and helps our clients avoid preventable fees.

Dispute Defense and Billing Audits

Our billing specialists cross-validate detention invoices with ELD logs, terminal access records, and dispatch documentation. When a fee doesn’t align, we challenge it—saving clients time and money.

Transparent Communication and Planning

Weber CSRs work closely with each client to flag exceptions early, resolve issues before they escalate, and adjust inbound flow strategies based on the latest port conditions.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

To manage detention charges in 2025, shippers must move beyond reactive thinking. Weber’s model supports:

Precision port execution to avoid fees
Clear visibility and documentation to dispute invalid charges
Operational agility to pivot when conditions change

As we mark over 100 years of logistics service, Weber remains the trusted partner for West Coast shippers navigating today’s complexity. Whether you’re dealing with sudden import surges, evolving regulatory rules, or stricter fee enforcement, we have the tools and team to protect your supply chain—and your budget.