Storage

Storage fees refer to charges collected on a daily basis by the carrier, terminal operator, or warehouse operator after goods have been stored at a port, terminal, warehouse, or container yard beyond the prescribed free period. They are commonly seen in ocean import/export, air freight, and bonded warehousing scenarios. Use cases include: imported goods not being customs-cleared and picked up in time after arrival, export goods entering the port early due to shipping schedule delays, and containers overstaying at the yard. Notes: free periods and rates vary greatly among ports, shipping lines, and warehouses, with free periods typically 3-7 days and rates possibly rising in tiers after expiry; storage fees differ from Demurrage/Detention, as the former applies to goods stored at a yard or warehouse while the latter applies to overdue container use; compared with Warehousing fees, storage fees emphasize short-term storage in port or terminal areas. Foreign trade practitioners should specify in the contract which party bears storage fees, track cargo status promptly, and avoid incurring high costs.