Demurrage is from Old French demeurage, from demeurer – to linger, tarry, etc.

It denotes payment that is made to a customer as compensation for late shipment. Demurrage is paid to a customer when shipment of a good is delayed at a port or by customs (either local or overseas).

In another context, demurrage is a fine that is charged on a courier or freight provider if its goods are not moved away from a port or terminal within a specific amount of time. Importers may keep goods or containers in their stores free of charge for a number of days, after which charges accrue. Demurrage charges, typically perceived as a storage fee, are meant to encourage importers/ shippers to take their goods away as soon as possible or to discourage them avoid from moving such goods to the port of export early.