Demurrage

A charge the ocean carrier or terminal bills when your container sits inside the port past its allotted free time. The clock starts when the box is available for pickup and stops when it leaves the terminal. Demurrage is charged per container, per day, and rises steeply the longer the box stays — it is the single most common "surprise" fee on an import invoice. The fix is almost always faster drayage dispatch and clean customs release, not negotiation after the fact.