At a Glance
- Lorry detention
- 40–80 euros/hour after free time
- Sea freight demurrage
- 50–200 euros/container/day
- Free time (typical)
- 1–2 h (lorry), 5–7 days (container)
Detention: waiting time at the shipper or consignee
Detention arises when a lorry waits longer than agreed to be loaded or unloaded. Typically there are 1–2 hours of free time, after which 40–80 euros an hour applies. The causes: missing paperwork, goods not made ready, overloaded loading docks or slow processes. Shippers should plan dock capacity and have paperwork ready in advance.
Demurrage: port waiting time in sea freight
Demurrage arises when containers remain at the terminal beyond the free days (usually 5–7) without being collected. Cost: 50–200 euros per container per day, rising the longer the overrun. Detention is charged on top if the container is not returned in good time after collection.
Avoiding these charges
Advance notice and scheduling: announce the driver and agree a dock slot. Documentation in advance: have freight papers and customs documents ready. Collect containers promptly: as soon as the arrival notice comes in, file the customs declaration and instruct the forwarder. And in the contract: agree free time and waiting-time terms clearly.
