What you get back
The tool runs the same demurrage checks we run on a customer’s documents, on the values you type, and drafts up to three kinds of letter (two of them on this form). Each is a fixed template. The language model is not used and it makes no number: every figure in the letter is one you entered or one from the carrier’s published tariff.
- Dispute letter, to the party that issued the invoice. Drafted when the check finds a problem it can show from your figures: the invoice bills a different number of days than its own dates give; the days times the daily rate do not equal the total; the total is above what the carrier’s published tariff gives for the billed days (only above: a lower total is probably a contract rate and is never raised); or some billed days fall inside the free time you entered. It asks for a corrected invoice or a credit note, and for the free time and daily rate applied.
- Waiver request, to the issuer of the invoice. Drafted when the charged days give a ground to ask the issuer to waive or reduce the charge. The grounds the tool knows are below.
- Free time extension request, to your forwarder or the carrier. This one is drafted only when we read your documents and find open points that may keep the container from clearing in time, such as a missing document or a screening hit. It is not drafted on this form. It asks for additional free days and for the daily rates after free time.
The waiver grounds
| Ground | What the letter says | Where the tool gets it |
|---|---|---|
| US federal holiday | Some charged days fall on a US federal holiday, and asks the issuer to confirm whether the terminal or customs was closed or limited that day and, if so, to remove those days | The OPM federal holiday list we hold, against the charge dates you enter. It is offered as a question because a federal holiday does not always close a terminal |
| Public holiday in another country | Some charged days fall in a public holiday of the origin or destination country, when offices, terminals and customs are closed or slow | The same holiday data for that country. This needs the origin country, so it appears when we read your documents, not on this form |
| War-risk area | The routing enters areas listed by the Joint War Committee, and asks the issuer to take any schedule disruption into account | The Joint War Committee circular, when we hold it. Needs the lane, so only from documents |
| Customs inspection | The container was held for customs inspection, which was outside your control | Only when a document you sent says so. The tool does not guess it |
On this form, with no documents, only the US federal holiday ground can appear. Send your documents to have all four checked.
Before you send it
- Add the facts only you know: that the container was held by customs, that the terminal turned your truck away, that the carrier gave no notice of availability.
- Keep the deadline printed on the invoice. Under 46 CFR 541.8 the billing party must allow at least 30 calendar days from the invoice date to ask for mitigation, refund or waiver; ask in writing, with the invoice number.
- Check the invoice against the list of what a US invoice must show . If items are missing, say which, and ask for a corrected invoice.
- Compare the free time with the carrier tariff on the carrier page or with the last free day calculator .
If the carrier does not answer, see the FMC charge complaint process . To understand which charge you were billed for, read demurrage vs detention ; to see who the invoice should be addressed to, who pays .
Frequently asked questions
Does the tool send the letter?
No. It shows the text and a copy button. You review it, add anything the tool could not know, and send it yourself to the party that issued the invoice.
Why did I get no letter?
A letter is drafted only when the check finds something to say: a problem with the invoice or a basis for a waiver. If your figures agree with each other and with the tariff, and no waiver ground applies, the tool says so. Giving the free time days and the daily rate from your papers lets it check more.
Can the letter override my contract with the carrier?
No. The tool knows only the carrier's published US tariff. A service contract or other agreement can give more free time or a lower rate; say so in your own words before you send.
Is the letter legal advice?
No. It is a fixed template filled with the numbers you typed and, where we hold it, the carrier tariff. Check every line before sending.
Sources
- 46 CFR 541.6, Contents of invoice (eCFR)
- 46 CFR 541.8, Requests for fee mitigation, refund, or waiver (eCFR)
- OPM federal holidays
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