Detention
Detention is a fee charged when a shipper or consignee keeps a container longer than the allowed free time outside the port or terminal. Once the container leaves the terminal, a clock starts ticking. If it isn’t returned within the permitted days, detention fees apply. These charges compensate carriers for the time their equipment is unavailable for reuse.
Detention is different from demurrage, which applies inside the port. Detention focuses purely on the period when the container is out for unloading, storage, or inland transport. Delays in unpacking, slow internal processes, or a lack of trucking availability often lead to detention. Proper planning helps avoid unnecessary costs.
Shippers and consignees must track free days closely to avoid penalties. Coordinating trucks, labor, and warehouse space ahead of time helps speed up container turnaround. When containers return on schedule, carriers can maintain smooth operations and ensure equipment flows efficiently.
Overall, detention encourages the timely use of carrier-owned containers. It keeps supply chains moving, prevents equipment shortages, and ensures fair use of container assets. Understanding how detention works helps businesses minimize extra fees and maintain cost-effective logistics.
Frequently Asked Questions about Detention
Clear answers to the most common questions people have when learning about Detention.
Carriers charge detention to ensure their containers are returned on time so they can be reused efficiently and remain available for other shipments.
Detention applies when the container is outside the port longer than allowed, while demurrage applies when cargo stays inside the port past the free storage period.
By planning unloading operations early, arranging trucks in advance, and returning the empty container within the free days offered by the carrier