Vantage Maritime Invoice audit and disputes
Every line, checked
Every carrier invoice is checked against your contract, the container's tracking record, and the FMC billing rules before anyone pays it. When a line is wrong, the dispute is drafted for you.
Run the audit
This is what Vantage does to every carrier invoice. Press the button: each line is checked against the contract, the bad ones get tagged, and the dispute letter writes itself.
Checked against: your rate agreement
- OF-40HCOcean freight, 40 ft high cube$2,850$2,850Not checked
- THC-DSTTerminal handling, destination$395$395Not checked
- DET-08DDetention, 8 days at $175$1,400$1,200Not checked
- CHS-06DChassis usage, 6 days at $40$240$240Not checked
- DOC-FEEDocumentation fee$150Dup.Not checked
Sample invoice, container, and rate agreement. Not a real customer.
What gets checked
Six checks on every invoice, using the documents you already have and the tracking record Vantage keeps for each box.
- 01
Rate vs contract
Every line is priced against your rate agreement or the carrier's tariff, per container.
- 02
Duplicates
The same fee billed twice, on one invoice or across invoices for the same box.
- 03
Free-time math
Days charged are recounted from the tracked discharge, gate-out, and return dates.
- 04
Unavailable days
Days billed while the box couldn't be picked up or returned, using the tracking record.
- 05
Required fields
Demurrage and detention invoices missing the information the FMC requires.
Source: 46 CFR 541.6 (opens in a new tab) - 06
Late invoices
Demurrage and detention invoices issued after the 30-day deadline.
Source: 46 CFR 541.7 (opens in a new tab)
FMC billing rules
The rules are on your side
Federal Maritime Commission rules set what a demurrage or detention invoice must contain and when it is due. Vantage checks every one against them, not just against your contract, and cites them in the dispute.
- 30-day invoice
A demurrage or detention invoice must be issued within 30 days of the last day the charge accrued. If it arrives late, you are not required to pay it.
Source: 46 CFR 541.7 (opens in a new tab) - Required fields
The invoice must show the container numbers, free time, the days and rates charged, and how to dispute. If required information is missing, the obligation to pay goes away.
Source: 46 CFR 541.5 and 541.6 (opens in a new tab) - 30 days to dispute
You get at least 30 days from the invoice date to request a waiver or refund, and the carrier must attempt to resolve it within 30 days.
Source: 46 CFR 541.8 (opens in a new tab) - Burden on the carrier
In an FMC charge complaint, the carrier has to prove the charge is reasonable, and the Commission orders refunds of charges that break the rules.
Source: 46 U.S.C. 41310 (opens in a new tab)
Applies to demurrage and detention billed by ocean carriers, NVOCCs, and marine terminals in US trade. A summary, not legal advice.
From flag to credit
A dispute is a process, not a letter. Vantage runs every step and keeps the clock on the carrier.
- 01
Flagged
The audit tags every line that breaks your contract or the rules, with the amount at stake.
- 02
Drafted
Vantage writes the dispute, citing your rate agreement, the tracking record, and the FMC rule that applies.
- 03
You approve
Review the letter, edit anything, and approve it. Nothing goes out without you.
- 04
Sent
The dispute goes to the carrier from Vantage, with the invoice and evidence attached.
- 05
30-day clock
The carrier must attempt to resolve it within 30 days. Vantage tracks the deadline and follows up.
Source: 46 CFR 541.8 (opens in a new tab) - 06
Credit tracked
Payment Control holds the disputed amount until the credit or corrected invoice arrives.
“Your adVantage starts today”
Forward your next arrival notice or carrier invoice. The first 5 documents are free, and you will know what you were overbilled before you pay it.