01 / PRACTICAL GUIDANCE
Three charges that are often confused
Free time is an agreed allowance, not an unlimited grace period. After it expires, charges can accumulate even while documents, payment or an inspection are unresolved. The exact definition and clock come from the carrier, terminal or warehouse terms for the shipment.
- Demurrage: commonly relates to the carrier’s container remaining inside the terminal beyond the allowed period.
- Detention: commonly relates to keeping the container outside the terminal beyond the allowed period before returning it.
- Storage: a terminal or warehouse charge for occupying space; it may be separate from container-use charges.
Some carriers use combined demurrage and detention. In that case a single allowance may cover both periods. Never assume that moving the container out resets a combined clock.
02 / PRACTICAL GUIDANCE
Map the handovers before arrival
Discharge
Identify the contractual clock start.
Release & collect
Coordinate customs, carrier release and trucking.
Unload
Have the receiving site and labour ready.
Return empty
Confirm the authorised depot and return evidence.
Track the last free day for each applicable charge separately. Calendar days, weekends, holidays and the treatment of the first or last day depend on the tariff. An estimated arrival date is not proof of when the charge clock began.
03 / PRACTICAL GUIDANCE
A simple free-time example
Illustration only · separate demurrage clock
Assume the tariff explicitly counts discharge day as day 1, allows five free calendar days and charges the collection day. The container is collected on day 7.
- Free days
- Days 1–5
- Chargeable days
- Days 6–7: 2 days
- Invented daily rate
- USD 50
- Illustrative charge
- USD 100
Storage and detention are excluded. Real tariffs may use stepped rates, combined allowances and different start/end events.
The useful question is not just “how many free days?” Ask for the actual last free date, rate tiers and return deadline. Obtain confirmation when an extension is requested; a request alone does not change the tariff.
04 / PRACTICAL GUIDANCE
Prevent the avoidable days
- Complete document checks before arrival and agree who resolves missing information.
- Prepare funds and release arrangements before the last free day.
- Book trucking with a realistic allowance for clearance and terminal appointments.
- Confirm unloading hours, access, equipment and receiving capacity.
- Check the empty-return location and depot acceptance; retain gate-out and return records.
If a hold, depot refusal or missed appointment occurs, record the time, reason and evidence immediately. Escalate to the party able to resolve it. Keep a written record when disputing a charge; do not assume that the cause automatically creates a waiver.
05 / PRACTICAL GUIDANCE
LCL and air cargo have storage clocks too
LCL and air shipments can incur warehouse or terminal storage even though you do not take a container away. Check availability notices, collection requirements and the local storage tariff. Minimums, weight or volume bases and charge periods can differ.
Ask the team for a shipment-specific plan: current release status, the next action, the responsible person and the deadline. Visibility helps you act earlier, but an online milestone does not replace confirmation of the terminal’s actual free-time terms.
Make it specific to your shipment.
Share the goods, route and deadline. Our team can help identify what needs confirming before you book.
Talk to Seabra ↗References & scope
General planning guidance. Examples are illustrative, not live rates, contractual terms or confirmation of insurance. The actual shipment terms and applicable law govern. References checked 12 September 2026. Hero images are created illustrations.