Skip to main content

Breadcrumb

Terms and Definitions

*Disclaimer: this policy is effective February 27th, 2023. For policy prior to such date, please visit here*

Terms and Definitions

Earliest Return Date (ERD) - Represents the first available date to return the container as provided by the ocean terminals.

Demurrage Terminal Guide available here: https://us.one-line.com/DemurrageTerminalGuide

Rail Receiving Date (RRD) - Applies to outbound containers requiring rail transport and is the first date container may be tendered at inland rail location.

Container Availability Date (CAD) - Set by ocean terminal and is the first date a discharged inbound container is available for pickup.

Tariff Rule for Free Time at Origin - US West Coast & US East Coast

Freetime Policy: 

  • For the shipments being carried to and from the U.S.A. under ONE’s tariff terms for demurrage and detention, ONE will only calculate free day usage when the pick-up or return facility(s) gate(s) is/are open for the cargo and equipment pick-up and return. 

Demurrage Policy:

Exports

  • Demurrage clock commences the day after the cargo has been received at load ports and at intermodal locations and will end on the day of the scheduled vessel berthing at the load ports.
  • A customer will only be assessed for the demurrage charge at the ocean terminals and at the intermodal locations for each calendar day after expiry of freetime under the following scenarios and when the gated container stay exceeds the agreed free time. 
    • When a customer requests or causes a roll after gating in the container.
    • When a roll is caused by a regulatory reason, including, but not limited to, action caused by or related to the U.S. Customs, Food and Drug Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, or any government or regulatory entity, agency, law, or rule.
    • When the full laden container is received at an ocean terminal prior to the terminal's Earliest Receiving Date (ERD) or at an intermodal location prior to the ONE’s RRD.
  • ONE will not charge the time incurred when the cargo is unable to load a vessel due to overbooked vessels resulting in ONE rolling the booking, or if the vessel is canceled/delayed.
  • Outbound demurrage policy applies equally to merchant and carrier haulage.

Imports

  • Demurrage clock commences at the first full day when container(s) is available for pick-up after vessel discharge.
  • Demurrage charges are incurred for containers stored on terminals after the end of the freetime period defined by tariff or service contract.
  • Specifically for the shipments being carried to and from the U.S.A. under ONE’s tariff terms for demurrage, demurrage charges will be assessed only on days when the pick-up facility gate is open for the cargo pick-up. 
  • A customer will be assessed for the demurrage charge at the ocean terminals when the delay is caused by a regulatory reason, including, but not limited to, action caused by or related to the U.S. Customs &  Border Protection, Food and Drug Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, or any government or regulatory entity, agency, law, or rule.
  • Inbound demurrage policy applies equally to merchant and carrier haulage.

Detention Policy:

Exports

  • Detention clock commences upon empty container outgate.
  • Detention charges are incurred for containers held after the end of freetime period defined by tariff or service contract.
  • Specifically for the shipments being carried to and from the U.S.A. under ONE’s tariff terms for detention, detention charges will be assessed only on days when the return facility gate is open for the laden container gate-in. 
  • Extended period detention due to the changes in the ocean terminal ERD or ONE's RRD after empty container outgate will not be charged.
  • Outbound detention policy applies equally to merchant and carrier haulage.


Imports

  • Detention clock commences upon laden container outgate at ocean terminals or at intermodal locations.
  • Detention charges are incurred for containers held outside freetime period defined by tariff or service contract.
  • Specifically for the shipments being carried to and from the U.S.A. under ONE’s tariff terms for detention, detention charges will be assessed  only on days when the return facility gate is open for the empty return. 
  • When a container yard (CY) delivery container is undergoing customs examination outside of ocean terminals or outside of intermodal locations, such container shall not be subject to detention per diem charges during the examination period. The detention per diem charge shall start immediately after the container is gated out from the customs examination facility.
  • Inbound detention policy applies equally to merchant and carrier haulage.

 

*Disclaimer: this policy is effective February 27th, 2023. For policy prior to such date, please visit here*

Billing Rules

*Disclaimer: this policy is effective February 27th, 2023. For policy prior to such date, please visit here*

Billing Rules

Demurrage

  • Charges for container yard (CY) and door moves are invoiced to the US customer of record (Shipper on US Exports, Consignee on US Imports) 
  • Invoices cannot be billed to a party not shown on the ONE booking or B/L or to a non-US company.

 

Detention

  • Charges for both CY and door moves are invoiced to the trucker of record
  • Invoices will be sent to the email address on file with the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA**) unless other arrangements have been made directly with ONE NA and confirmed in writing
  • Invoices already issued cannot be rebilled to a third party without written confirmation of acceptance by the third party

    ** IANA administers the Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement (UIIA)


    *Disclaimer: this policy is effective February 27th, 2023. For policy prior to such date, please visit here*

Invoice Information (Export)

*Disclaimer: this policy is effective February 27th, 2023. For policy prior to such date, please visit here*

Invoice Information (Export)

The following examples are intended to clarify terminology and applicable logic associated with ONE export demurrage and detention invoices and enhance understanding of charges. The invoices provided are for informational purposes only and the customer's actual invoice terms may vary according to tariff or individual service contract.

Export Demurrage Invoice Example:

 

Field Information

Staying Period: From “Date of Container Full Gate-in” to:

 (i) “Estimated Time of Berth” as of the empty pick-up date; or 

(ii) “Vessel Loading date,” whichever date is earlier. 

F/Time: Commences from the “day following working/calendar day of Full Gate-in” and completes after “Free Days” end.

Free Days: Calendar or Working Days. Applied as per tariff unless alternate agreement within individual service contract/agreement is made.

Rate Per Day: Applied as per tariff unless an individual contract/agreement is made.

Over Day: The demurrage period charged by ONE, which is only calculated in the scenarios specified in the Demurrage Policy. The calculation is based on the day after the F/TIME Completion (CMPLT) date to either (i) or (ii), whichever is earlier.

(i) “Estimated Time of Berth” as of the Empty pick-up date; or 

(ii) “Vessel Loading date,” whichever date is earlier.

Earliest Return Date (ERD): Where ERDs are available from the ocean terminals, they will be referenced in invoices. 

ERD Date shown with three asterisks (***) on invoice: Where ERDs exist but are not available from the ocean terminals at time of billing, or where ERD is not used at a particular facility, no ERD will be referenced.

Export Detention Invoice Example:

Field Information

Staying Period: From “Empty Container Pick up Date" to “Date of Full Gate-in.”

F/Time: Commences from “the day following working/calendar day of Empty container pick up” and completes after “Free Days.”

Free Days: Calendar or Working Days. Applied as per tariff unless alternate agreement within individual service contract/agreement is made.

Rate per Day: Applied as per tariff unless alternate agreement within individual service contract/agreement is made. 

Over Day: From “Next day of F/TIME Completion (CMPLT) day” to “Date of Full Gate-in.” 

Earliest Return Date (ERD): Where ERDs are available from the ocean terminals, they will be referenced in invoices. (For inland cargo arriving via rail, “ONE’s First Rail Receiving Date at rail facility” is used). 

ERD Date shown with one asterisk (*) on invoice: Where ERDs exist but are not available from the ocean terminals at time of billing, the first overall container gate-in occurrence for the relevant Vessel Voyage Direction (VVD) will be referenced as the ERD. Absent a terminal provided ERD date, this calculated date will be used for all containers on a specific VVD that incur detention.

ERD Date shown with two asterisks (**) on invoice: Where an ERD process is not in use at a terminal, the ERD reference field will be left blank.

*Disclaimer: this policy is effective February 27th, 2023. For policy prior to such date, please visit here*

Inquiries and Disputes

*Disclaimer: this policy is effective February 27th, 2023. For policy prior to such date, please visit here*


Inquiries and Disputes 

Please direct Demurrage and Detention billing inquiries and disputes to the following:   
Inquiries - [email protected]
Disputes - [email protected]

Detention Billing Disputes:

All detention disputes must contain full details of the dispute reason along with the following supporting documentation in order to be processed: 

  • Invoice and container numbers  
  • Reason for dispute, e.g. 
    • Incorrect free time (must include details and supporting documentation of correct free time)
    • Incorrect rate (must include details and supporting documentation of correct rate)
    • Incorrect date(s) (must include TIR’s) 
    • Operational issue (must include specific issue with supporting documentation) 
  • For  disputes related to empty container returns when an appointment is required, the following documentation is required to process the dispute:
    • Invoice number(s)
    • Bill of Lading or booking number(s)
    • Container number(s)
    • Screenshot(s) verifying appointments are not available, including relevant dates and times*
    • Screenshot(s) of date and time attempts were made to make appointments. Screenshot(s) of appointment unavailability must include both: (1) screenshot taken prior to the unavailable appointment date; and (2) screenshot taken on the waiver date between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.  
    • Screenshot(s) of the terminal/ramp name(s) **

* For terminals operating on a two shift basis (day & night), screenshots must capture appointment unavailability for both shifts 

** Include information related to ALL available empty return locations offered/listed on the ONE Empty Equipment Control website on a single-transaction basis for the day(s) in question. 

A dispute will not be considered “received” until all supporting documentation has been provided to ONE NA. ONE NA will confirm receipt of the required information and reconcile the dispute within 30 days of the confirmed receipt date.

IMPORTANT: Detention invoices must be disputed in writing within 30 days of issue date of the invoice. Any dispute received after 30 days is invalid.  
 

Demurrage Billing Disputes:

All demurrage disputes must contain full details of the dispute reason along with the following supporting documentation in order to be processed: 

  • Invoice, container and shipment (i.e., booking or B/L)  numbers 
  • Reason for dispute, e.g. 
    • Incorrect free time (must include details and supporting documentation of correct free time)
    • Incorrect rate (must include details and supporting documentation of correct rate)
    • Incorrect date(s) (must include TIR’s) 
    • Operational issue (must include specific issue with supporting documentation) 

A dispute will not be considered “received” until all supporting documentation has been provided to ONE NA. ONE NA will confirm receipt of the required information and reconcile the dispute within 30 days of the confirmed receipt date.

IMPORTANT: Demurrage invoices must be disputed in writing within 30 days of issue date of the invoice. Any dispute received after 30 days is invalid.

*Disclaimer: this policy is effective February 27th, 2023. For policy prior to such date, please visit here*

FAQ

Demurrage & Detention Calculation Logic Update FAQ

Demurrage & Detention Calculation Logic Update FAQ
(effective from 6/1/2023)

Q1. How does ONE calculate Demurrage and Detention charges when the terminal partially closes the gate (e.g. the first shift is open but the second shift is not open)? 

A1. Demurrage and Detention are charged by ONE unless the terminal or facility is completely closed and inaccessible. If customers or truckers are unable to obtain an appointment at the terminal or facility during gate open despite their best efforts, please immediately contact ONE for alternative arrangements.

 

Q2. To what type of charges will this update of calculation logic be applied? 

A2. ONE applies the new calculation logic to charges related to import demurrage, import detention, and export detention charged by ONE.

 

Q3.  Why is Export Demurrage excluded from the scope of billing calculation change?

A3. Export Demurrage is not affected by terminal closures because it is for dwelling after customers’ laden containers are gated in after the earliest receiving date at the export terminals.  

 

Q4. Does ONE consider unplanned closure of the facilities in billing calculations? 

A4. ONE makes every effort to consider incidents causing an unplanned facility closure and reflect accordingly within billing calculations. However, if customers or truckers have a different understanding of the situation or believe an unplanned closure is not accurately reflected in the invoice, please contact ONE at [email protected]. 
 

Q5. Does ONE treat the Detention charges in the state of California? 

A5. ONE will charge detention (per diem) when a facility is open for return, irrespective of whether it is a weekday, weekend, or holiday.

Outbound Demurrage FAQ

Outbound Demurrage FAQ

*Disclaimer: this policy is effective February 27th, 2023. For policy prior to such date, please visit here*


Q1. What is the reason for ONE changing the outbound demurrage calculation logic?

A1. ONE wanted to align the calculation of the outbound demurrage with the ERD information provided by ocean terminals to simplify the demurrage calculation providing a clearer logic.

 
Q2. How will the Demurrage Update affect the invoices issued before February 27th, 2023?

A2. ONE will trigger the commencement of updated logic based on the invoice issuing dates. This means, outbound demurrage invoices issued before Feb 27th, 2023, will be calculated with the existing calculation logic while the outbound demurrage invoices issued on Feb 27th, 2023, and onwards will be calculated with the updated logic.
 

Q3. How does ONE handle the locations, where the terminals do not provide ERD information (for example, Halifax, Canada; Argentia, Canada; and Richmond, USA etc.). 

A3. For the terminals, which do not provide ERD information, ONE charges the outbound demurrage in the following scenarios: 

  • When a customer requests or causes a roll after gating in the container.
  • When a roll is caused by a regulatory reason, including, but not limited to, action caused by or related to the U.S. Customs, Food and Drug Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, or any government or regulatory entity, agency, law, or rule.
     

Q4. How are the demurrage calculation start dates defined and calculated? 

A4. The demurrage calculation start dates are defined and calculated as follows:

  • Inbound - The demurrage calculation start date is the first full day after the container(s) is discharged from the vessel and available for pickup at the terminal. Demurrage will not be charged on freetime days.
  • Outbound - The demurrage calculation start date is the first full day after gating in the container(s).  Demurrage will not be charged on freetime days or in the scenario when the container gates in after ERD and as otherwise specified in the Demurrage policy.
right content box