Cost Reference
Demurrage Rates at Durban Container Terminal
The Port of Durban is South Africa's largest and busiest container port, handling the majority of the country's container imports. Demurrage charges at Durban accrue from the first day a container is detained by SARS Customs. At Maersk's published rate of ZAR 6,693 per day for a standard 20-foot container, a 10-day detention costs more than ZAR 66,000 — significantly more than the cost of PVoC compliance.
Durban Container Terminal
South Africa's Primary Import Gateway
The Port of Durban, operated by Transnet Port Terminals, is South Africa's largest container port and the primary gateway for container imports into the country. It handles approximately 2.8 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) per year, making it one of the busiest ports in Africa.
Because of Durban's dominance in South African container imports, most PVoC-related detentions will occur at Durban. Importers who ship to South Africa via Durban should be aware of the demurrage rates and the financial consequences of detention.
Demurrage Rates
What Shipping Lines Charge for Detained Containers
Demurrage is the charge imposed by a shipping line when a container is not returned within the agreed free time. When SARS Customs detains a container, the free time clock continues to run, and demurrage charges accrue from the moment the free time expires.
Maersk's published demurrage rate for South African ports is ZAR 6,693 per day for a standard 20-foot container (as of 2026). For a 40-foot container, the rate is higher. Other major shipping lines (MSC, CMA CGM, Evergreen, COSCO) have similar rates, though the exact amounts vary by carrier and by contract.
Demurrage rates are tiered — the daily rate typically increases after the first few days of detention. A container detained for 30 days may incur demurrage charges significantly higher than ZAR 6,693 × 30 because of the tiered rate structure.
Storage Charges
Port and Terminal Operator Fees
In addition to shipping line demurrage, detained containers incur storage charges from the port or terminal operator. At Durban Container Terminal, storage charges are levied by Transnet Port Terminals and accrue separately from shipping line demurrage.
The combination of shipping line demurrage and port storage charges means that the total daily cost of detention at Durban can significantly exceed the shipping line's published demurrage rate. Importers should obtain current storage charge rates from Transnet Port Terminals when estimating the total cost of a potential detention.
Storage charges are the importer's responsibility, not the shipping line's. They are charged by the port operator directly to the importer or their clearing agent.
The Financial Case for Compliance
Break-Even Analysis
At ZAR 6,693 per day in shipping line demurrage alone, a 10-day detention costs ZAR 66,930. Adding port storage charges, the total cost of a 10-day detention at Durban can exceed ZAR 80,000–100,000 for a single 20-foot container.
The minting fee on CoC Vault is 2% of CIF value for shipments up to R1 million. For a R500,000 shipment, the minting fee is R10,000 — equivalent to less than two days of demurrage. For a R2 million shipment, the minting fee is R20,000 — equivalent to three days of demurrage.
The financial case for compliance is clear: the cost of obtaining a PVoC CoC and registering it on CoC Vault is a fraction of the cost of a single detention at Durban.
What are the demurrage rates at Durban?
Maersk's published demurrage rate for South African ports is ZAR 6,693 per day for a standard 20-foot container (as of 2026). Other shipping lines have similar rates. Storage charges from Transnet Port Terminals accrue separately.
How quickly do demurrage charges accumulate?
Demurrage charges accrue from the first day of detention. At ZAR 6,693 per day, a 10-day detention costs ZAR 66,930 in shipping line demurrage alone, before port storage charges.
Are demurrage charges the importer's responsibility?
Yes. Demurrage charges are the importer's responsibility. The shipping line will not waive demurrage charges because the goods were detained by SARS Customs.
How does the cost of compliance compare to demurrage?
The CoC Vault minting fee is 2% of CIF value for shipments up to R1 million. For a R500,000 shipment, the minting fee is R10,000 — equivalent to less than two days of demurrage.
When does PVoC enforcement become mandatory?
20 September 2026. From that date, SARS Customs will check for valid PVoC CoCs on all regulated goods at Durban and all other ports.
Continue Learning
Durban Demurrage Costs More Than PVoC Compliance
At ZAR 6,693+/day, a 10-day detention at Durban costs more than the minting fee for most shipments. Obtain your PVoC CoC and create your CoC Vault record before 20 September 2026.
Sources: Government Gazette No. 54374 (20 March 2026); Standards Act 8 of 2008; Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964. Last verified: 3 May 2026. certificatesofconformity.co.za is an independent reference publication operated by LinkDaddy LLC, a Florida-registered US entity. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the SABS, NRCS, SARS, or any agency of the Government of South Africa.