MSC Demurrage & Detention Free Time in United States (2026)
MSC's published demurrage & detention free time for import containers to United States, by container type, from 19 port(s). Free days = calendar days before D&D charges begin.
Container
Demurrage
Detention
20ft (20GP)
4
—
40ft (40GP)
—
—
40ft High-Cube (40HC)
—
—
Free days; range where they vary by port. “—” = not in our dataset. Compare all carriers on the United States overview →
Charged when a full import container stays inside the terminal past its free days — you haven't picked it up in time. Billed per container per day once free time runs out.
Detention
Charged when you keep the container outside the terminal — being unpacked or awaiting its empty return — longer than allowed. Also billed per container per day.
Free time
The calendar days a carrier lets you hold the container before either charge begins. It varies by carrier, port, container type, and import vs export — the figures on this page are the published import free days.
How we compile this
From MSC's own published tariffs, normalised to free days. Terms vary by contract/equipment/port and change over time — confirm with the carrier. Informational only. Updated .