Sea freight
Demurrage and detention: how free time works
The container is the carrier's equipment, lent free for a limited period. Exceed it and a daily charge starts · the most common surprise line on freight invoices.
Three clocks run separately
| Item | What it charges for | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Demurrage | A laden container staying in the port/terminal beyond free time | The carrier |
| Detention | Keeping the container outside the port (at your premises) beyond free time | The carrier |
| Storage | The goods waiting in the port or temporary storage | The port/terminal operator |
Free time varies by carrier, port and equipment type and is part of the freight negotiation; there is no single standard number of days.
Typical scenarios that inflate the bill
- Clearance dragging because an import document is missing,
- Slow unloading at the buyer's warehouse while the box waits,
- Public holidays landing in the middle of the free period,
- Unplanned delays from inspection or laboratory analysis.
How to prevent it
- Have documents ready before the vessel arrives; close gaps pre-arrival,
- Learn the free time at the quote stage and negotiate extra days upfront when needed,
- Book the unloading slot against the vessel's ETA in advance.
Our quotes state free time explicitly, we run the pre-arrival
document check ourselves, and we alert you the moment the window starts to tighten.
Official sources
- BIMCO · Baltic and International Maritime Council
- World Shipping Council · WSC
External links are provided for information; their content belongs to the respective organisations.
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