Pricing & Surcharges
Free Time
The period allowed for using or holding a container without incurring demurrage or detention, counted from discharge or from collection.
In depth
Free time is the buffer before the clock starts. Terminal free time governs how long a container may sit in the yard after discharge before demurrage applies; carrier free time governs how long the box may be held outside before detention applies. The two are separate, run on different clocks, and are frequently confused. Free time is negotiable, particularly on contract rates and for importers who clear slowly by nature, and negotiating an extra few days at booking is far cheaper than paying the charges later.
Key points
- The period before demurrage or detention begins to accrue
- Terminal and carrier free time are separate and run differently
- Negotiable at booking, especially on contract rates
- Cheaper to extend up front than to pay charges afterwards