46 CFR § 541.6 · printable
The 20-element D&D invoice checklist.
Often summarized as a 13-point list, the rule as published requires twenty items. Check every invoice against all of them.
- 01§ 541.6(a)(1)
Bill of lading number(s)
Identifying · Every B/L the charge relates to, so the billed party can tie the invoice to a shipment.
- 02§ 541.6(a)(2)
Container number(s)
Identifying · The specific equipment billed. Charges cannot be pooled across unnamed containers.
- 03§ 541.6(a)(3)
Port(s) of discharge (imports)
Identifying · Where the container was discharged, which sets the terminal and free-time context.
- 04§ 541.6(a)(4)
Basis for billed-party liability
Identifying · Why the recipient is the proper party: the contracting party for carriage or storage, or the consignee.
- 05§ 541.6(b)(1)
Invoice date
Timing · Starts the billed party's dispute window and proves the 30-day issuance deadline was met.
- 06§ 541.6(b)(2)
Invoice due date
Timing · When payment is due. Must leave room for the 30-day relief request window.
- 07§ 541.6(b)(3)
Allowed free time in days
Timing · The free time granted under the tariff, contract or terminal schedule.
- 08§ 541.6(b)(4)
Start date of free time
Timing · The day free time began. Often wrong when availability lagged discharge.
- 09§ 541.6(b)(5)
End date of free time
Timing · The last free day. Billing must begin after it, not on it.
- 10§ 541.6(b)(6)
Container availability date (imports)
Timing · When the box was actually available for pickup. The most frequently omitted element.
- 11§ 541.6(b)(7)
Earliest return date (exports)
Timing · The first day the terminal would accept the export load.
- 12§ 541.6(b)(8)
Specific dates charged
Timing · Each calendar day for which demurrage or detention accrued.
- 13§ 541.6(c)(1)
Total amount due
Rate · The full amount billed.
- 14§ 541.6(c)(2)
Applicable rule or contract
Rate · Tariff name and rule number, terminal schedule, or service contract number and section.
- 15§ 541.6(c)(3)
Specific rate(s)
Rate · The per-day rate or tiered rates applied under that rule.
- 16§ 541.6(d)(1)
Contact for questions and relief requests
Dispute · A named route (email, phone or portal) for mitigation, refund or waiver requests.
- 17§ 541.6(d)(2)
URL, QR code or digital watermark
Dispute · A digital pointer to a public page describing what a relief request must include.
- 18§ 541.6(d)(3)
Dispute and resolution timeframes
Dispute · The window to request relief and the billing party's own resolution deadline.
- 19§ 541.6(e)(1)
Certification of FMC rule consistency
Certification · A statement that the charges are consistent with the Commission's D&D rules.
- 20§ 541.6(e)(2)
Certification of no contributing performance
Certification · A statement that the billing party's own performance did not cause or contribute to the charges.
§ 541.5
Any element missing: no obligation to pay.
§ 541.7(a)
Issued more than 30 days after the charge was last incurred: no obligation to pay.
§ 541.8
At least 30 days from issuance to request relief; billing party resolves within 30 days of receipt.
Check an invoice interactively.
12 days · inside 30 days
No obligation to pay as issued
2 of 19 applicable elements missing (§ 541.5).
Don't let your 30-day dispute window expire.
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