The Hidden Costs of Importing (And How to Avoid Them)

Freight is just one part of the equation. In logistics, the costs that hurt the most are the ones you didn't foresee. Knowing accessorial charges is key to calculating the real landed cost of your product. 💰

Demurrage & Detention These are fines charged by shipping lines when you take too long to pick up your container from the port or return it empty. These daily charges can quickly exceed the cost of the freight itself if there are customs issues or a lack of land transport.

Port Storage Ports are not warehouses. If your cargo is not cleared within the assigned free days, the port will charge storage fees that are usually progressive (increasing the longer time passes).

Customs Inspections If your cargo is selected for a physical inspection (red light), not only does the process take time, but you must pay for the cargo movements and the personnel performing the review.

Prevention is Key Most of these costs stem from disorganization: late documents, lack of prior tariff classification, or poor transport coordination.

Transparency is a core value at LOOP. We help you foresee these scenarios and meticulously coordinate each stage to minimize the risk of surprise extra charges. ✨