How is destination free time different from origin free time?

Origin free time is the period of free container storage at the yard/warehouse before export gate-in; destination free time (as covered in this article) is the free period for container/yard storage after cargo arrives at the import port, before demurrage/detention charges begin.

Why does the same carrier have 2 different free-time levels for the same country?

Some carriers (like MSC and ZIM) run multiple contracts/bookings in parallel for the same route, and each contract can carry its own free-time level. The level that actually applies depends on the specific contract/booking for the shipment.

Does this free-time table apply to dangerous goods (DG) or reefer containers?

Not by default. Per the carriers' notes, the special free-time levels in the table apply only to standard dry containers (20GP/40GP/40HQ); DG cargo, NOR containers, 45HQ or reefer containers follow a separate tariff/free-time, unless otherwise noted.

Is the free time in this article fixed?

No. Free time depends on ASW's contract with each carrier at a given point in time and can change without notice. The figures in this article reflect data updated as of July 14, 2026 — please contact ASW to confirm the current free-time level before booking.

Destination Free Time to Latin America: Carrier Update as of July 14, 2026

Destination free time is the number of days a business is exempt from container/yard storage charges after cargo arrives at port, before the carrier and terminal begin charging demurrage (yard storage) and detention (container storage). This article rounds up destination free time levels for Latin American countries based on Air Sea Worldwide Vietnam's internal data, updated as of July 14, 2026, from 9 partner carriers: EMC, OOCL, MAERSK, WANHAI, COSCO, PIL, ONE, MSC, ZIM. Specific contract numbers with each carrier are not disclosed in this article (for internal use only) — please contact ASW to confirm the exact contract applicable to your shipment.

What is free time and why it matters

Destination free time differs from origin free time, and varies by carrier, by country, and even by port within the same country. If a container isn't pulled out of the port (or unstuffed, and the empty returned) before free time expires, the business incurs yard-storage and container-storage fees per the carrier's/terminal's standard tariff — a cost that can climb quickly with each day of delay. Knowing the free-time level before booking helps a business proactively arrange customs clearance, inland transport, and cash-flow planning.

Common abbreviations found in the table

NOR: in carrier free-time tables, this is usually understood as a reefer container used to carry dry cargo (Non-Operating Reefer) — it has its own free-time level, usually shorter than standard dry cargo.
DG: Dangerous Goods — usually not eligible for a special free-time level, applying instead per the carrier's standard tariff.
DM / DT: Demurrage / Detention — some carriers list separate free-time day counts for each type of fee.
PCD: the projected cargo-closing/vessel-departure date — some carriers require registering for a special free-time level a set number of working days before this date.
CY / Ramp: container yard at the port / inland rail terminal.
"Standard dry container": applies to normal 20GP/40GP/40HQ, excluding special cargo, DG, NOR, 45HQ or reefer containers unless separately noted.

South America

Argentina: EMC 21 days · OOCL 21 days (NOR 14 days) · MAERSK 21 days, DG cargo per tariff · COSCO 14 days · ONE 16 days (NOR 14 days) · MSC 14 days (NOR 10 days, ex-China contract) · ZIM: option 1 – 10 days (NOR 10 days, must register 5 working days before the projected loading date); option 2 – 19 days (NOR 14 days).
Brazil: EMC 25 days · OOCL 25 days (NOR 14 days) · MAERSK 21 days, DG cargo per tariff · COSCO 28 days · ONE 19 days (NOR 14 days) · MSC 18 days (NOR 14 days, ex-China contract) · ZIM: option 1 – 10 days (NOR 10 days, must register 5 working days in advance); option 2 – 25 days (NOR 14 days).
Chile: EMC 21 days · OOCL: Arica/Iquique 21 days, Lirquen 18 days, San Antonio 18 days (NOR 14 days) · MAERSK 14 days, DG cargo per tariff · WANHAI 18 days (NOR 10 days, requires spot approval at the origin port) · COSCO 21 days · MSC 21 days (NOR 14 days; standard dry container: 21 days; ex-China contract) · ZIM 21 days for standard dry containers; Valparaiso, Arica, San Antonio, Iquique ports: NOR 14 days.
Colombia: EMC: Buenaventura 21 days (NOR 18 days), Northern Colombia region 20 days · OOCL 18 days · MAERSK 14 days, DG cargo per tariff · WANHAI 18 days (NOR 10 days, requires spot approval at the origin port) · COSCO 21 days · MSC (ex-China contract): option 1 – Buenaventura 20 days (NOR 14 days), Northern Colombia 12 days; option 2 – Buenaventura/Cartagena 21 days (standard dry container) · ZIM: Buenaventura 21 days (NOR 14 days), Cartagena 21 days (dry containers only).
Ecuador: EMC 21 days (NOR 18 days) · OOCL 18 days (NOR 14 days) · MAERSK 14 days, DG cargo per tariff · WANHAI 21 days (NOR 10 days, requires spot approval at the origin port) · COSCO 21 days · MSC 18 days (NOR 14 days; standard dry container: 21 days; ex-China contract) · ZIM 21 days (NOR 14 days).
Paraguay: EMC 21 days · MAERSK 21 days, DG cargo per tariff · COSCO 18 days · MSC 18 days (ex-China contract) · ZIM: option 1 – 10 days (NOR 10 days, must register 5 working days in advance); option 2 – 18 days.
Peru: EMC 21 days (NOR 18 days) · OOCL 18 days (NOR 14 days) · MAERSK 14 days, DG cargo per tariff · WANHAI 18 days (NOR 10 days, requires spot approval at the origin port) · COSCO 21 days · PIL 10 days · MSC 21 days (NOR 14 days, ex-China contract) · ZIM 14 days (NOR per tariff, must register 5 working days in advance).
Uruguay: EMC 21 days · OOCL 21 days (NOR 14 days) · MAERSK 21 days, DG cargo per tariff · COSCO 18 days · ONE 16 days (NOR 14 days) · MSC 18 days (NOR 14 days, ex-China contract) · ZIM: option 1 – 10 days (NOR 10 days, must register 5 working days in advance); option 2 – 14 days (NOR 14 days).
Venezuela: MAERSK 14 days, DG cargo per tariff · MSC (ex-China contract): option 1 – 14 days (demurrage/detention fees per separate agreement between consignee and terminal); option 2 – Puerto Cabello, La Guaira ports: 21 days · ZIM: Puerto Cabello, La Guaira ports 21 days.

Central America

Costa Rica: EMC 21 days · OOCL 18 days · MAERSK 14 days, DG cargo per tariff · COSCO 14 days · PIL 9 days · MSC (ex-China contract): option 1 – Puerto Caldera 16 days (NOR 14 days), Moin 12 days; option 2 – Puerto Caldera/Moin 21 days.
El Salvador: EMC 21 days · OOCL 18 days · MAERSK 14 days, DG cargo per tariff · COSCO 17 days · PIL 10 days · MSC (ex-China contract): option 1 – 16 days (NOR 14 days); option 2 – 21 days (standard dry container) · ZIM 21 days (standard dry container).
Guatemala: EMC 21 days · OOCL 18 days · MAERSK 14 days, DG cargo per tariff · WANHAI: Puerto Quetzal port 14 days (effective from September 24, 2025, NOR 10 days, requires spot approval at the origin port) · COSCO 17 days · PIL 5 days demurrage + 10 days detention · MSC (ex-China contract): option 1 – Puerto Quetzal 17 days (NOR 14 days), Santo Tomas de Castilla 15 days; option 2 – Puerto Quetzal 21 days (standard dry container) · ZIM: Puerto Barrios 14 days (must register 5 working days in advance).
Honduras: EMC 21 days · OOCL 18 days · MAERSK 14 days, DG cargo per tariff · COSCO 18 days · MSC (ex-China contract): option 1 – Puerto Cortes 15 days, San Lorenzo 16 days; option 2 – 21 days · ZIM 21 days.
Nicaragua: EMC 10 days · OOCL 18 days · MAERSK 14 days, DG cargo per tariff · COSCO 17 days · PIL 10 days · MSC 16 days (NOR 14 days; standard dry container: 21 days; ex-China contract) · ZIM 21 days.
Panama: EMC: Colon area (Colon Container Terminal/Colon Free Zone/Panama City via CCT) 14 days demurrage + 7 days detention; Balboa/Panama City area via Balboa 21 days (combined demurrage and detention) · MAERSK 14 days, DG cargo per tariff · COSCO 18 days · MSC 12 days (NOR 12 days; standard dry container: 21 days; ex-China contract) · ZIM 21 days (standard dry container).

Caribbean

Dominican Republic: EMC 14 days · MAERSK 14 days, DG cargo per tariff · COSCO 21 days · ONE: Caucedo port 12 days · MSC 21 days (ex-China contract).
Jamaica: EMC 21 days · MAERSK 14 days, DG cargo per tariff · COSCO 17 days · MSC 12 days (ex-China contract) · ZIM 14 days (must register 5 working days in advance).
Trinidad and Tobago: MAERSK per standard tariff · COSCO 17 days · MSC 12 days (ex-China contract) · ZIM 14 days (must register 5 working days in advance).

Mexico

Mexico: EMC 21 days (for Manzanillo, Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico City), 18 days (NOR) for Lazaro Cardenas/Manzanillo · OOCL 21 days (NOR 14 days) · MAERSK 14 days, DG cargo per tariff · WANHAI 18 days (NOR 10 days, requires spot approval at the origin port) · COSCO 21 days · PIL 7 days · MSC 21 days (NOR 14 days; standard dry container: 21 days; ex-China contract) · ZIM: option 1 – standard dry container 21 days; option 2 – Manzanillo only 21 days (applies only at the container yard/inland rail terminal).

General conditions

The special free-time levels in the table apply only to normal containers (standard 20GP/40GP/40HQ) — not to special cargo/equipment, DG cargo, NOR containers, 45HQ, or reefer containers, unless separately noted.
If free time is exceeded, yard-storage/container-storage fees are charged per the carrier's/destination terminal's standard tariff.
Free-time levels can change without notice; the figures in this article are for reference only as of the July 14, 2026 update.
For carriers with 2 contract options in the same country (MSC, ZIM), the level actually applied to a specific shipment depends on the contract/booking — please contact ASW to confirm.
MSC's free-time levels in this table apply under the contract for cargo originating from China (ex-China only). For shipments originating from Vietnam, please contact ASW for the MSC free-time level that applies separately.
Contract validity period for each carrier (at the time of this update): EMC, WANHAI, PIL — per specific contract (subject to contract); OOCL — valid July 1 to September 30, 2026; MAERSK — valid July 1 to September 30, 2026 (per PCD); COSCO — valid January 1 to December 31, 2026; ONE — valid July 15 to September 30, 2026; MSC — option 1 per specific contract, option 2 valid July 1 to September 30, 2026; ZIM — valid July 1 to September 30, 2026 for both options.