## The Financial Cost Stack — What Non-Compliance Actually Costs
TCR has compiled the definitive rate reference for trade compliance failure costs. These are not estimates — they are the published and documented rates that importers, exporters, and logistics intermediaries face when a shipment fails compliance.
### Layer 1: Terminal Storage (Port Demurrage) **Definition:** Charge levied by the terminal operator for containers remaining at the port beyond the free time period (typically 3–5 days). **Rate Range:** USD $85–$450 per TEU per day (standard). USD $200–$800 per TEU per day (peak/congestion surcharge). **Free Time:** 3 days (most major ports). 5 days (some African and Asian ports). **Escalation:** Most terminals apply a tiered escalation: Days 1–3 free; Days 4–7 at base rate; Day 8+ at 2x–3x base rate. **Key Ports:** Los Angeles/Long Beach: $150–$400/day. Rotterdam: €120–€350/day. Durban: R850–R2,500/day. Singapore: SGD 45–120/day.
### Layer 2: Carrier Detention **Definition:** Charge levied by the shipping line for containers retained by the importer beyond the free time period after pickup from port. **Rate Range:** USD $50–$300 per TEU per day. **Free Time:** 3–7 days depending on carrier and trade lane. **Key Carriers:** Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM standard detention: USD 75–$150/day after free time.
### Layer 3: Customs Penalty (Administrative) **Definition:** Civil penalty assessed by customs authority for documentation errors, misclassification, or undervaluation. **Rate Range:** - US CBP: 4x the unpaid duty (negligence) to 8x (fraud). Minimum: $1,000. - EU: 1%–30% of customs value depending on member state. - South Africa SARS: 10%–200% of unpaid duty. - Australia ABF: AUD $2,220–$222,000 per contravention.
### Layer 4: Anti-Dumping / Countervailing Duty Retroactive Assessment **Definition:** Retroactive duty assessment when goods are found to have been misclassified to avoid ADD/CVD. **Rate Range:** ADD rates range from 2.5% to 265% of cargo value (US...