Demurrage and detention invoice audit
Prepared for Example Importer Inc. · October 15, 2026 · by FreeTime Check
Invoices checked2
Total billed$2,500.00
Amount at stake$1,750.00
Not payable as issued1
Urgent (≤5 days)0
Window closed1
Invoice DM-1001
Billed$750.00
At stake$0.00
DeadlineDispute window closed October 10, 2026
No problems found. This invoice includes the required details and the days add up.
Invoice DM-2002
Billed$1,750.00
At stake$1,750.00
DeadlineDispute by November 4, 2026 (20 days left)
Not payable
The invoice leaves out 4 required details, so under 541.5 you have no obligation to pay it.
- Basis for why the billed party is liable (541.6(a))
- URL or QR code to dispute documentation requirements (541.6(d))
- Timeframes to request and to resolve disputes (541.6(d))
- Certification that billing party's performance did not cause the charges (541.6(e))
46 CFR 541.5, 541.6
Overcharge
The arithmetic overstates the charge by about $175.00.
- Line 1 (EXOU7654320): billed 10 days, but September 2 to September 10 is 9 days.
46 CFR 541.6(c) (amount and how it was calculated)
Needs review
Free time starts August 30, before the container was available on September 1.
- Charges for time when cargo could not be picked up are commonly disputed under the FMC's interpretive rule.
46 CFR 545.5 (incentive principle)
Overcharge
One charge line overlaps the stated free time, about $175.00.
- Line 1: charges begin September 2, but free time runs to September 2 (1 day inside free time).
46 CFR 541.6(b)
Overcharge
Charges run past the date the container left the terminal, about $525.00.
- Line 1 (EXOU7654320): demurrage billed to September 10, but tracking shows gate-out on September 7 (3 extra days).
46 CFR 541.6(b)