Manage container demurrage and detention disputes using terminal and carrier API data as evidence

Steps

1. Retrieve the carrier-issued demurrage and detention invoice via the carrier's invoice API or EDI 210; parse the container number, free time start date, free time end date, and accrued charges per day.
2. Pull the actual terminal availability and gate-out timestamps from the terminal operator system or your drayage TMS API; compare the terminal-recorded timestamps against the carrier's free time calculation.
3. Identify discrepancies: check for correct free time start date (availability date, not vessel arrival), proper exclusion of weekends and holidays per the carrier's published tariff, and any terminal-caused delays (vessel delay, yard congestion, holds).
4. For each disputed charge, compile the API-sourced evidence into a dispute package: terminal availability timestamp, gate appointment attempts, CBP or FDA hold notifications (if customs-caused delay), and carrier tariff clause citations.
5. Submit the dispute through the carrier's commercial dispute portal or via the carrier's customer service API if available; include the structured evidence and the calculated corrected amount.
6. Monitor the dispute resolution status; if the carrier denies a valid dispute, escalate to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Informal Docket process, which is available for US port demurrage disputes under OSRA 2022.