Silk Bridge Journal

Definition

 Detention is a fee charged for keeping a container outside the port or terminal after the free period granted by the shipping line for its use and return has expired.

The situation most commonly occurs as follows: the container is collected from the port and delivered to the importer’s warehouse, but it is not unloaded and returned empty to the designated terminal within the required timeframe. From that point onward, the shipping line begins charging a fee for each additional day.

Why Should Importers Know This?

Detention is often confused with demurrage, but the two terms refer to different stages of the transportation process. Demurrage applies to keeping a container at the port or terminal, whereas detention applies to the period when the container is already outside the terminal and has not been returned on time.

A problem may arise, for example, when the importer’s warehouse is not prepared to receive the goods, unloading takes too long, or the transportation of the empty container to the designated return location has not been properly planned.

Therefore, when importing goods, it is important to check not only the delivery date but also the number of free-time days available for unloading and returning the container.

Related Terms

 Demurrage · Free Time · Per Diem · Last Free Day · Warehouse · Freight Forwarder

In Practice

After collecting the container, the importer should have a pre-arranged unloading date and the ability to quickly return the empty container to the designated depot. It is also worth checking the exact free-time period and the rules for calculating detention charges, as every additional day may generate further costs.