An import can be correctly negotiated at origin and become very expensive at destination when a container stays immobilised too long.
At Douala Port, three notions are especially important: storage, demurrage and detention. These charges are not identical and are not necessarily billed by the same party. Tariffs depend on the line, the contract and the terminal: check them on your booking rather than retaining a « universal » rat
e.Storage, demurrage and detention: what is the differenc
| e?Type of char | geBilling enti | tyWhen the clock star | tsWhere it is charg |
|---|---|---|---|
| edStora | geTerminal operator / stevedo | reOccupation beyond applicable free ti | meInside the port (termina |
| l)Demurra | geShipping line (carrie | r)Expiry of free time, container still at the termin | alFull container in the po |
| rtDetenti | onShipping line (carrie | r)After gate-out, until empty retu | rnContainer outside the po |
t Storage generally corresponds to occupation of space at the terminal or in a storage facility beyond the applicable free-time condition
. Demurrage generally concerns prolonged use of the shipping line's container while it is still in the termina
. Detention generally covers the period during which the container remains in the consignee's possession after gate-out, until it is returned under the shipping line's condition
s.Why can these charges rise quickl
? Tariffs depend in particular on the shipping line, container type, cargo, contract, number of days and terminal conditions (Autonomous Port of Douala
. It is therefore risky to publish a fixed rate as if it were universal. The importer must check the booking, the bill of lading and the tariff that applies to the ocean lin
e.First strategy: prepare documents before arriv
l Do not wait for berthing to start looking fo
- : commercial invoic
- ; packing lis
- ; bill of ladin
- ; BESC when require
- ; conformity document
- ; any authorisation
- ; information needed for the declaratio
. Cameroonian customs operations are now processed in CAMCIS (Cameroon Customs). The more documents are checked upstream — including CIF value — the more anomalies can be corrected before immobilisation charges become a problem. A licensed customs broker speeds up this preparatio
n.Second strategy: know your free time precise
y Free time must never be assumed. Ask in writing: start date, end date, calendar or working days, demurrage rules, detention rules, empty-return terms and cost per tie
. Then create an internal alert before free time end
s.Third strategy: watch empty containe
s Gate-out of the container does not mean all charges have ended. Organise: gate-out → delivery → destuffing → empty return, and keep evidence of attempted return if difficulties aris
e.Fourth strategy: prepare inland haula
e A completed customs file with no truck available can also generate lost days. Transport must be prepared early enough: truck, driver, destination, site access, destuffing capacity, delivery slot and empty return. In LCL consolidation, coordination between lots is even more critica
l.Special case of reefe
s Reefer containers require closer attention, because extra costs can add to immobilisation: power, plugging and maintaining the cold chain. Free time is often shorter than on dry container
s.Recommended tracking tab
e For each shipment, track at least: ETA, free-time deadline, customs status, truck availability, delivery date and empty-return dat
e.Costly mistak
- s waiting for the vessel to arrive before preparing the fil
- ; discovering free time after arriva
- ; forgetting to return the empty containe
- ; booking the truck lat
- ; ignoring an inconsistency on the B/
- ; treating demurrage as inevitabl
. At ALC Transit, the aim is to prepare the file early enough to reduce avoidable immobilisation as far as possible and let the importer better control cash flow. If the file is no longer moving, see container blocked at Douala Port. For the port sequence, consult the Douala Port clearance guide. Contact u