Shipping to and from United States of America
Your complete guide to shipping to and from United States of America. Find the right route, get Maersk office locations, discover local solutions, payment options and more.
Import
Get up-to-date local information about import procedures and restrictions, demurrage and detention, container drop-offs and more.
Country: United States
Direction: Import
Expiry Date: Until further notice
Free time: Working Day basis defined as any day a gate is open for container pickup Monday – Saturday. Partial day closures are considered as a full working day and count towards freetime. In the event a terminal closes on a day due to lack of appointment demand, that day shall be considered a working day for containers a party had an opportunity to make a timely appointment for, but chose not to do so. If a party made an appointment for a container but the terminal was closed, then that date shall not be considered a Working Day with respect to that container.
Currency: USD
Invoiced: Per container, per calendar day.
Application: The free time & charges applied will be those in place on the origin price calculation date (PCD)
Please note the below provides a general overview of our import demurrage and detention practices in the U.S. For complete details please refer to our tariff here. In the event of any discrepancies between the below and our public tariff, the public tariff prevails.
FREE TIME: “Free Time” is the period agreed between the Carrier and the Merchant for which Demurrage and Detention shall not be paid by the Merchant.
DETENTION:Detention is the daily charge against the ocean carrier's equipment, assessed to the shipper or consignee ,for the use of the equipment beyond allowed free time, as stipulated per tariff or contract. In the event the Carrier is requested to bill an alternate party, and Carrier agrees, the Shipper or Consignee must inform the Carrier that the alternate party will act solely as an agent . Carrier will make commercially reasonable efforts to issue all invoices to the alternate party, however in the event Carrier is not able to do so, invoices alternatively will be issued to the Shipper or Consignee. In all cases, the alternate party is acting solely as an agent of the Shipper or Consignee with respect to the detention invoices. The Shipper or Consignee shall remain responsible for all charges due.
DEMURRAGE: is the daily charge assessed to the shipper or for use of the land and equipment services provided at the carrier’s load/discharge port, or inland container yard (CY) facility, when the cargo remains in such facilities beyond the permitted free time as stipulated per tariff or contract. At rail ramps where Carrier allows storage to be paid directly to facilities for land use according to the ramp’s terms and conditions, Carrier demurrage is the daily charge assessed to the shipper for use of equipment only when the cargo remains in such facilities beyond the permitted free time as stipulated per tariff or contract. In the event a party other than the consignee or shipper pays a demurrage charge, they are doing so voluntarily and by paying represent that they are acting as an agent of the shipper or consignee. In addition, if the Carrier is requested to bill an alternate party, and Carrier agrees, the Shipper or Consignee must inform Carrier that the alternate party will act solely as an agent . Carrier will make commercially reasonable efforts to issue all invoices to the alternate party, however in the event Carrier is not able to do so, invoices alternatively will be issued to the Shipper or Consignee. In all cases, the alternate party is acting solely as an agent of the Shipper or Consignee with respect to the detention invoices. The Shipper or Consignee shall remain responsible for all charges due.
The purposes of the Carrier’s policies regarding Demurrage include incentivizing shippers & consignees to pick up cargo, offset additional costs that the event has imposed on the carrier that are beyond its reasonable control, covering the additional cost of keeping the cargo safe and secure once free time has expired, incentivizing shippers & consignees to not wait until the last day of free time to pick up cargo, to promote the use of terminal appointments, and other reasons that might be dictated by various factual situations from time.
Name | Start | End |
---|---|---|
Name
Demurrage
|
Start
Free time will commence the first 0800 on the first business day following discharge of the container at an ocean terminal, or the arrival of a container at a rail ramp or an inland CY (owned or contracted by Carrier), except in: At Ocean Ports, Inland CY Locations and CY Rail Facilities Working Day are defined as any day a gate is open for container pickup. |
End
Ends on the day that the full container is gated-out of the terminal.
|
Name
Detention
|
Start
Free time for carrier’s equipment commences on the day equipment departs from carrier’s container yard. At Ocean Ports, Inland CY Locations and CY Rail Facilities Working Day are defined as any day a gate is open for container return Monday – Saturday. |
End
Ends on the day that the empty container is gated-in at the agreed port or terminal. For store-door move only consignees may at their own discretion notify the carrier when the container is empty and available for pick-up from the consignee's designated delivery facility. Notifications must be sent via the website. Carrier will stop the detention clock effective the day notification is received |
Useful links:
- Book your shipments online via SPOT at a fixed price and with a loading guarantee to know when they will arrive. Maersk Spot now also includes extendable Free time options. Start Now.
- Note that SPOT terms are those accepted at the time the booking is confirmed and are not necessarily aligned with the standard tariff. For details how to extend your DnD Free time at destination, click here. DnD Tariff information can be found via Instant Price Search or during booking process.
- To view free days and last free date information for containers, along with pickup and return location basis click here: D&D Calculator
- Please find the Activity Location codes for Demurrage and Detention Invoices below.
Tariff
- Reefer demurrage includes plug-in/electricity charges.
- Reefer container with IMO follows Reefer.
- Non-operating reefer (NOR) is considered as Dry Container.
Non-operating reefer (NOR) is considered as Dry Container for both Demurrage and Detention. - Shipper's own containers (SOC) and Tanks are not subject to detention and are subject to demurrage at some locations.
- For Shipper’s own containers (SOC) and Tanks at non NWK and Miami locations, we have a single SOC DMR rate (no matter cntr/cargo type). At NWK and Miami locations, we have a separate SOC DMR rate and a Tank DMR rate.
Import Demurrage
- At rail ramp locations, all storage is settled directly with the rail provider according to the ramps terms and conditions.
- At inland port locations owned by ports (ie. Greer, SC and Front Royal,VA) free time and demurrage charges are according to Maersk’s tariff levels for ocean terminals.
- In addition, for CY deliveries at rail ramps collecting storage according to the ramps terms and conditions, demurrage will be assessed by Maersk for equipment use only after the free time as indicated below.
- When a facility is closed for a full working day during the freetime period, the day will not count against the cargo freetime or for demurrage charges. Partial day closures are considered as a full working day and count towards freetime and demurrage charges.
- Please check with the terminal location for all terminal pickup procedures and to validate cargo is available for pickup. Our terminal partner websites and additional information on demurrage payment can be found here.
Dry Containers /Non-Operating Reefers/ IMO Dry Containers & Non-Operating Reefers - *Excluding Newark/Miami
Days | 20' | 40' | 45' |
---|---|---|---|
Days
Day 1 to 4
|
20'
Free
|
40'
Free
|
45'
Free
|
Days
Day 5 to 8
|
20'
300 USD
|
40'
300 USD
|
45'
300 USD
|
Days
Day 9 to 13
|
20'
345 USD
|
40'
345 USD
|
45'
345 USD
|
Days
Day 14+
|
20'
395 USD
|
40'
395 USD
|
45'
395 USD
|
Reefer / Special Equipment / IMO Reefer & Special Equipment - *Excluding Newark/Miami
Days | 20' | 40' | Special |
---|---|---|---|
Days
Day 1 to 2
|
20'
Free
|
40'
Free
|
Special
Free
|
Days
Day 3 to 5
|
20'
490 USD
|
40'
490 USD
|
Special
440 USD
|
Days
Day 6 to 9
|
20'
590 USD
|
40'
590 USD
|
Special
540 USD
|
Days
Day 10+
|
20'
640 USD
|
40'
640 USD
|
Special
590 USD
|
Dry Shipper Owned / IMO Dry Shipper Owned - *Excluding Newark/Miami
Days | 20' | 40' | 45' |
---|---|---|---|
Days
Day 1 to 4
|
20'
Free
|
40'
Free
|
45'
Free
|
Days
Day 5 to 8
|
20'
255 USD
|
40'
255 USD
|
45'
255 USD
|
Days
Day 9 to 13
|
20'
300 USD
|
40'
300 USD
|
45'
300 USD
|
Days
Day 14+
|
20'
345 USD
|
40'
345 USD
|
45'
345 USD
|
Newark and New York City Area Terminals
Rates are applicable for IMO
Days | Dry / Non-Operating Reefer 20’ & 40’ | Dry / Non-Operating Reefer 45’ & Above | Dry Shipper Owned Containers (Excluding Tanks) |
---|---|---|---|
Days
Day 1 to 4
|
Dry / Non-Operating
Reefer 20’ & 40’
Free
|
Dry / Non-Operating
Reefer 45’ & Above
Free
|
Dry Shipper Owned
Containers (Excluding
Tanks)
Free
|
Days
Day 5 to 8
|
Dry / Non-Operating
Reefer 20’ & 40’
370 USD
|
Dry / Non-Operating
Reefer 45’ & Above
435 USD
|
Dry Shipper Owned
Containers (Excluding
Tanks)
270 USD
|
Days
Day 9 to 13
|
Dry / Non-Operating
Reefer 20’ & 40’
480 USD
|
Dry / Non-Operating
Reefer 45’ & Above
560 USD
|
Dry Shipper Owned
Containers (Excluding
Tanks)
335 USD
|
Days
Day 14 to 33
|
Dry / Non-Operating
Reefer 20’ & 40’
620 USD
|
Dry / Non-Operating
Reefer 45’ & Above
655 USD
|
Dry Shipper Owned
Containers (Excluding
Tanks)
510 USD
|
Days
Day 34+
|
Dry / Non-Operating
Reefer 20’ & 40’
725 USD
|
Dry / Non-Operating
Reefer 45’ & Above
905 USD
|
Dry Shipper Owned
Containers (Excluding
Tanks)
645 USD
|
Days | Special | Operating Reefers | Tanks |
---|---|---|---|
Days
Day 1 to 2
|
Special
Free
|
Operating Reefers
Free
|
Tanks
Free
|
Days
Day 3 to 5
|
Special
620 USD
|
Operating Reefers
705 USD
|
Tanks
465 USD
|
Days
Day 6 to 8
|
Special
800 USD
|
Operating Reefers
865 USD
|
Tanks
640 USD
|
Days
Day 9+
|
Special
885 USD
|
Operating Reefers
1125 USD
|
Tanks
705 USD
|
Miami, Florida - South Florida Container Terminal and Port of Miami Terminal Operating Company (POMTOC)
Rates are applicable for IMO
Days | Dry / Non-Operating Reefer | Dry Shipper Owned Containers (Excluding Tanks) |
---|---|---|
Days
Day 1 to 4
|
Dry / Non-Operating
Reefer
Free
|
Dry Shipper Owned
Containers (Excluding
Tanks)
Free
|
Days
Day 5 to 8
|
Dry / Non-Operating
Reefer
340 USD
|
Dry Shipper Owned
Containers (Excluding
Tanks)
265 USD
|
Days
Day 9 to 13
|
Dry / Non-Operating
Reefer
455 USD
|
Dry Shipper Owned
Containers (Excluding
Tanks)
315 USD
|
Days
Day 14 to 33
|
Dry / Non-Operating
Reefer
570 USD
|
Dry Shipper Owned
Containers (Excluding
Tanks)
475 USD
|
Days
Day 34+
|
Dry / Non-Operating
Reefer
705 USD
|
Dry Shipper Owned
Containers (Excluding
Tanks)
615 USD
|
Days | Special | Operating Reefers | Tanks |
---|---|---|---|
Days
Days 1 to 2
|
Special
Free
|
Operating Reefers
Free
|
Tanks
Free
|
Days
Day 3 to 5
|
Special
555 USD
|
Operating Reefers
655 USD
|
Tanks
435 USD
|
Days
Day 6 to 8
|
Special
710 USD
|
Operating Reefers
800 USD
|
Tanks
590 USD
|
Days
Day 9+
|
Special
810 USD
|
Operating Reefers
1030 USD
|
Tanks
690 USD
|
Rail Ramps Dry/Non-Operating Reefers
Rates applicable for IMO
Days | 20' | 40' |
---|---|---|
Days
Days 1 to 3
|
20'
Free
|
40'
Free
|
Days
Day 4 to 7
|
20'
190 USD
|
40'
190 USD
|
Days
Day 8 to 11
|
20'
250 USD
|
40'
250 USD
|
Days
Day 12+
|
20'
280 USD
|
40'
280 USD
|
Rail Ramps Operating Reefers
Rates applicable for IMO
Days | 20' | 40' |
---|---|---|
Days
Days 1 to 3
|
20'
Free
|
40'
Free
|
Days
Day 4 to 6
|
20'
390 USD
|
40'
390 USD
|
Days
Day 7+
|
20'
495 USD
|
40'
495 USD
|
Rail Ramps Special Equipment
Rates applicable for IMO
Days | 20' | 40' |
---|---|---|
Days
Days 1 to 3
|
20'
Free
|
40'
Free
|
Days
Day 4 to 6
|
20'
350 USD
|
40'
350 USD
|
Days
Day 7+
|
20'
455 USD
|
40'
455 USD
|
Applicable to operating reefer cargo at the Port of Hueneme, CA and for the commodity meat at all U.S. Ocean terminals except: Baltimore, MD, Boston, MA, Jacksonville, FL, Mobile, AL, Newark, NJ, Port Everglades, FL, Staten Island, NY
Days | 20' | 40' |
---|---|---|
Days
Day 1 to 4
|
20'
Free
|
40'
Free
|
Days
Day 5
|
20'
490 USD
|
40'
490 USD
|
Days
Day 6 to 9
|
20'
590 USD
|
40'
590 USD
|
Days
Day 10+
|
20'
640 USD
|
40'
640 USD
|
*excluding Newark/Miami – excludes APM Terminal in Port Elizabeth New Jersey, PNCT (Port Newark Container Terminal), Global Terminal Jersey City, Maher Newark Terminal, Global Container Terminal, Bayonne, New Jersey and Howland Hook, Staten Island, New York), Miami, Florida.
** Newark/Miami – includes APM Terminal in Port Elizabeth New Jersey, PNCT (Port Newark Container Terminal), Global Terminal Jersey City, Maher Newark Terminal, Global Container Terminal, Bayonne, New Jersey and Howland Hook, Staten Island, New York), Miami, Florida.
Import Detention
Dry Containers and Non-Operating Reefers
Rates applicable for IMO
Days | 20' | 40’ | 45’ |
---|---|---|---|
Days
Day 1 to 4
|
20'
Free
|
40’
Free
|
45’
Free
|
Days
Day 5 to 8
|
20'
200 USD
|
40’
200 USD
|
45’
200 USD
|
Days
Day 9 to 12
|
20'
250 USD
|
40’
250 USD
|
45’
250 USD
|
Days
Day 13+
|
20'
280 USD
|
40’
280 USD
|
45’
280 USD
|
Reefer, Special Equipment
Rates applicable for IMO
Days | Operating Reefer | Special Equipment |
---|---|---|
Days
Day 1 to 3
|
Operating Reefer
Free
|
Special Equipment
Free
|
Days
Day 4 to 6
|
Operating Reefer
420 USD
|
Special Equipment
350 USD
|
Days
Day 7+
|
Operating Reefer
525 USD
|
Special Equipment
455 USD
|
Applicable to operating reefer cargo at the Port of Hueneme, CA and for the commodity meat at all U.S. Ocean terminals except: Baltimore, MD, Boston, MA, Jacksonville, FL, Mobile, AL, Newark, NJ, Port Everglades, FL, Staten Island, NY
Days | 20' | 40' |
---|---|---|
Days
Day 1 to 5
|
20'
Free
|
40'
Free
|
Days
Day 6
|
20'
420 USD
|
40'
420 USD
|
Days
Day 7+
|
20'
525 USD
|
40'
525 USD
|
- Demurrage disputes for U.S. shipments must be raised by:
- For cargo prior to pickup, contact us.customerexperience@maersk.com.
- For cargo after pickup, through our website maersk.com in the MyFinance section or by e-mail to disputes@maersk.com.
- In the event you wish to change the party invoiced, please e-mail disputes@maersk.com for assistance. Please note we will only change the party invoiced if allowed by law, and that party must agree to assuming the obligation of the originally issued invoice.
- When registering a dispute, please include the invoice number shipment number, container number, and a detailed description of the dispute including the applicable service contract number if pertinent to the claim. Specifically for the below dispute types, please include the following:
- Disputes due to inability to secure a terminal appointment to pickup equipment: A screenshot indicating no appointments were available for each day of the freetime period and up to day of pickup. Each daily screenshot must be time stamped and show no appointments were available for all shifts and as far into the future as the terminal system allows.
Disputes due to inability to secure a terminal appointment to return equipment:
- A time stamped screenshot of a terminal appointment system indicating an appointment was not available at any applicable Carrier return locations for the date a waiver is being applied for, including all shifts where applicable. The screenshot(s) must be taken the day prior to the Waiver Date and on the Waiver Date. Such screenshots must be taken between 6:00 a.m.-12:00pm (noon) the day before the Waiver Date and between 6:00a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on the Waiver Date, in the time zone of the applicable terminal.
- An e-mail to Maersk’s equipment team requesting an alternate location to return the equipment. The e-mail must be sent prior to the first day being requested for a waiver and be sent to NAMEQUEDO@maersk.com for all locations except Los Angeles and Long Beach. For Los Angeles and Long Beach e-mails must be sent to pswequipment@maersk.com.
- Disputes due to containers associated with Government holds: A statement validating the customs hold was not a result of any action by the shipper, their agent, or any party to the bill of lading.
- For disputes involving a change of paying party, written confirmation from the party who will pay is needed.
- Disputes must be submitted to Maersk within 60 days of the invoice date. We will provide feedback on your dispute within 30 days of receipt.
Shipper owned containers (SOC) must NOT be returned empty to Maersk at any terminal/depot/rail facility.
For any SOC(s) returned empty to a Maersk location, an additional $2000 USD per container will be post-billed to the consignee on the bill of lading by Maersk.
- When the final destination is within the US, the Consignee details must indicate the actual party name and US address of the owner of the goods. The only exception is “To Order” TPDocs. If the Consignee is “To Order” of a bank or “To Order” of a party other than owner of the cargo, then the First Notify Party must be actual owner of cargo with their US address.
- If neither the Consignee nor First Notify Party is the actual owner of the cargo, then a House TPDoc (NH) needs to be submitted (either by the Shipper if they are automated NVOCC, or by Maersk on their behalf if NVOCC is Non Automated) to show the ultimate consignee of the goods.
- P.O. Box addresses are not acceptable for Shipper, Consignee, or Notify Parties.
- Any Original Bills of Lading that would previously be sent to our office in Charlotte, NC should now be sent by express courier to:
- Norton Lilly International
Documentation Department
One St. Louis Centre
Suite 2003
Mobile, AL 36602
- Used tires as a commodity are strictly forbidden due to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulations.
- Hazardous waste shipments as defined by the Basel Convention are not accepted into the United States.
- Maersk will not arrange a store door (SD) delivery to the personal residence of a private citizen.
- Personal Effects or Household Goods cannot be railed cross border, either from Canada to USA, or from USA to Canada. Door deliveries for personal effects or household goods are prohibited in the USA. Personal effects shall only be accepted if cargo owner has an assigned forwarder to assist with the customs clearance at destination.
- All containers in transit to, or with a final destination of the US (including San Juan, Puerto Rico) require HIGH SECURITY SEALS (plastic seals are not allowed).
- A manifest must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to vessel arrival for ALL cargo transiting the US per US Customs & Border Protection regulations, whether cargo is discharging or Freight Remaining on Board (FROB) at US ports (the “24-Hour Rule”). There are NO EXCEPTIONS to the 24-Hour Rule.
- “Electronic Waste” as a commodity is not accepted for import into the US.