The Tariff Pause Is Underway — And The D&D Clock is Ticking

Why Is Now the Time to Prepare for Port Congestion and Rising Fees?

We’re about a month into the 90-day tariff pause between the U.S. and China, and importers are already feeling the early ripple effects. 

While the pause temporarily stalls additional tariffs, it also creates a predictable—and pressing—outcome: a flood of shipments attempting to beat the reinstatement window. That surge will very likely echo the chaos of the post-COVID port congestion era, where Demurrage & Detention (D&D) fees became a painful, recurring cost for many shippers. 

 

📉 Signs Are Already Emerging: The Calm Before the Container Storm 

According to recent reporting, U.S. seaborne imports from China dropped by nearly 30% Y/Y in May as shippers slowed activity in anticipation of tariff hikes. But that decline is expected to reverse sharply as importers race to move goods ahead of a possible late-summer tariff reinstatement. 

Industry forecasts suggest deliveries from Asia to the U.S. could rise by over 150% due to the 90-day tariff pause. With peak season demand on the horizon and ocean capacity tightening, we’re heading straight toward renewed port congestion—and a familiar rise in D&D charges. 

 

💸 D&D: The Quiet Drain on Your Supply Chain 

Demurrage (when containers sit too long at terminals) and detention (when equipment isn’t returned in time) can easily cost $100–$300+ per container—per day. When port congestion peaks, even routine pickups get delayed, and those fees add up fast. 

What makes D&D especially dangerous is how silently it accumulates. Without a clear plan and real-time visibility, many shippers only realize the extent of the charges after they’ve hit the books. 

 

✅ What You Should Be Doing Right Now 

 

  1. Implement D&D Tracking Tools

Century’s proprietary D&D Management Module, built into the VIZIV® platform, provides: 

📦 Real-time tracking of containers approaching D&D thresholds 

⏱️ Custom free time settings per port or carrier contract 

💡 Automated charge estimations—no more guesswork 

📁 Historical charge visibility for financial planning and auditing 

 

  1. Store Strategically Near Ports

Century’s Universal Warehouse in Long Beach—just 7.5 miles from the ports of LA/LB—is uniquely positioned to help you: 

  • Offload containers quickly and avoid terminal delays 
  • Transload cargo into domestic modes or store flexibly on-site 
  • Bypass chokepoints during high-volume periods with CTPAT-compliant, secured facilities 

 

  1. Tighten Last-Mile Coordination

Through Century’s Domestic Control Tower services, you can streamline your pickup, drayage, and returns—reducing cycle time and lowering exposure to detention risk. 

 

🔁 Don’t Wait for the Fees to Hit. Strategize Now. 

You may not be able to stop the next port surge, but you can control your exposure to D&D. 

The window to act is narrowing. Every day the risks increase: delayed returns, congested terminals, and unexpected cost spikes. Century’s D&D solution gives you the real-time intelligence and infrastructure you need to stay ahead. 

Talk to us today to explore how you can use this time to prepare, adapt, and avoid the next round of avoidable D&D charges. 

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