A Saturday primer for Kuwait importers: the three Shuwaikh-side charges most often misread, mispaid, and disputed weeks too late.
Three charges Kuwait importers most often confuse — and pay twice for.
Demurrage
The shipping line bills you for keeping their container inside the port after free time expires. Clock starts when the container is discharged at Shuwaikh. Stops when you pick it up. Charged per day, per container, by the line.
Detention
The shipping line bills you for keeping their container outside the port after you picked it up. Clock starts when you leave the gate. Stops when you return the empty. Same line, different counter.
Storage
The terminal bills you for floor space. Independent of the line. Often runs in parallel with demurrage. Different free time. Different invoice. Different desk to dispute it at.
Three clocks. Three bills. Three different people charging you.
What this means in practice
- Combined free time matters more than any single number
- "Demurrage paid" does not release the terminal storage hold
- Detention free time starts the moment you leave port — not when you have unstuffed at your warehouse
Before you pick up, ask your forwarder for all three clocks in writing. Then plan around the shortest.
A Shuwaikh invoice you are not sure about? WhatsApp +965 9926 2146 or send the file via our RFQ form.