Delay, Demurrage and Detention

Delay, Demurrage and Detention

Delay, Demurrage and Detention concerns additional charges that may arise when vessel arrival delay, port congestion, customs delay, incomplete D/O procedures, late container pickup, delivery rescheduling, delayed devanning or late empty-container return causes the applicable Free Time to be exceeded.

A delay in ocean transport does not merely move the delivery date. Demurrage or Detention may arise depending on when the container becomes available, when it leaves the terminal, when devanning is completed and when the empty container is returned.

As a general operational distinction, Demurrage relates to a container remaining within the port or terminal beyond Free Time, while Detention relates to the period after the container leaves the terminal and before the empty container is returned.

However, the names, commencement dates, stopping events, free periods, counting methods and rates for Demurrage, Detention, Storage and Combined Free Time differ according to the shipping line, NVOCC, port, country, trade lane, container type and contract.

The applicable Tariff, Booking conditions, Arrival Notice, Free Time confirmation, B/L terms, invoice and individual instructions from the shipping line or NVOCC must therefore be reviewed for the specific shipment.

Scope of This Article

Item	Covered in This Article	Covered in Other Articles
Demurrage	Container dwell within the terminal and expiry of Free Time	The underlying cause of delay is covered in each cause-specific article
Detention	The period from terminal pickup to empty-container return	Domestic-delivery incidents are covered in delivery articles
Free Time	Commencement, last free day, stopping event and counting method	Current carrier-specific Tariffs are governed by the relevant shipping line
Vessel delay	How pre-arrival delay affects pickup, delivery and return planning	ETA and post-arrival processing delay are covered in “Vessel Arrival Delay”
Delivery date	How receiving restrictions lead to Demurrage or Detention	Delivery confirmation is covered in “Delivery Date Rescheduling”
Storage and CFS charges	Whether they are separate from Demurrage and Detention	Terminal-specific rates are governed by the relevant Tariff
Estimated cost	Estimated calculation using excess days and tiered rates	The formal amount is shown in the carrier or NVOCC invoice
Extension and waiver	Initial handling of Free Time extension and reduction requests	Approval is determined individually by the shipping line or NVOCC
Cost allocation	Review based on cause, contract, notice and mitigation	The general framework is covered in “Additional Costs Due to Delay”
LCL cargo	Review of CFS storage rather than automatic application of container Detention	CFS operations and consolidation incidents are covered separately

This article does not address every additional cost caused by delay. It focuses on Demurrage and Detention and the relevant container location, Free Time, commencement, stopping event, calculation and responsibility review.

Terminology and Calculation Differ by Shipment

Variable Item	Possible Operation	Source to Review	Practical Caution
Charge name	Demurrage, Detention, Combined, Per Diem or Storage	Tariff, invoice and Free Time confirmation	Do not determine the charge solely from its name
Commencement	Discharge, terminal availability, Available Date or Gate-out	Carrier terms and terminal events	It may not be the vessel arrival date
Free period	Varies by container, cargo, port and contract	Booking, Arrival Notice and individual confirmation	Do not assume a standard number of days
Day counting	Calendar days, working days or specific holiday treatment	Tariff and service conditions	Review weekends and holidays
Rate	Fixed, tiered, size-based or special-equipment rate	Rate schedule and invoice	The daily rate may increase over time
Stopping event	Gate-out, empty return acceptance or system registration	EIR, depot receipt and system record	Physical action and system update may differ
Combined treatment	Demurrage and Detention managed under Combined Free Time	Individual agreement or carrier confirmation	Review the allocation between terminal and outside use

Demurrage

Demurrage generally refers to a charge arising when an import container remains within the port or terminal beyond the applicable Free Time.

It may become relevant where a discharged container cannot be picked up because of customs, D/O, terminal appointment, vehicle or receiving-location issues.

The commencement of Free Time is not necessarily the same as the date on which the cargo owner considers the container practically available. The applicable carrier or NVOCC conditions must be reviewed.

Detention

Detention generally refers to a charge arising when a container has left the terminal but the empty container is not returned within the applicable Free Time or return deadline.

After pickup, the container is delivered, devanned and returned to the designated depot. Delay in receiving, unloading, distant delivery, depot congestion, return appointments or holidays may cause Detention.

The charge commonly stops when the designated depot accepts the empty container. The applicable acceptance time, EIR, system record and return-location conditions must nevertheless be confirmed.

Basic Difference Between Demurrage and Detention

Item	Demurrage	Detention	Operational Review
Main location	Within the port or terminal	After terminal pickup	Confirm the current container location
Typical status	The laden container has not left the terminal	The container has left but the empty has not been returned	Confirm whether the container is laden or empty
Main cause	Customs, D/O, pickup, vehicle or receiving delay	Devanning, distant delivery or return delay	Identify the operation that exceeded the period
Main dates	Commencement, last free day and Gate-out	Gate-out, return deadline and actual return	Confirm event dates from records
Common stopping event	Terminal Gate-out	Acceptance of the empty container	Review the contractual stopping event
Main evidence	Terminal Event, EIR and pickup record	EIR, depot acceptance and return record	Compare the records with the invoiced period

Difference from Storage Charge

Charge	Typical Charging Party	Subject	Caution
Demurrage	Shipping line or NVOCC	Container dwell or use within the terminal	Review the carrier Free Time
Detention	Shipping line or NVOCC	Container use and late return after pickup	Review the empty-return deadline
Storage Charge	Terminal, CY or warehouse	Storage or occupation of the facility	It may arise in addition to Demurrage
CFS storage	CFS operator	Storage of LCL cargo within the CFS	Separate it from container Detention

Free Time

Review Item	Information Required	Source	Effect of Error
Charge type	Demurrage, Detention, Combined or Storage	Free Time confirmation and Tariff	Another charge may be overlooked
Free days	Number of free days	Booking, Arrival Notice or agreement	The last free day may be incorrect
Commencement date	Date from which counting begins	Tariff and terminal event	The charge may already be running
Counting method	Calendar or working days and holiday treatment	Rate conditions	Excess days may be miscalculated
Last free day	Final date for pickup or return without charge	Carrier confirmation	Pickup and return planning may fail
Rate	Daily, tiered and container-size rate	Tariff and quotation	The estimate may be understated
Stopping event	Action required to stop the charge	Conditions and EIR	The charge may continue after assumed completion
Extension or waiver	Deadline, evidence and approving party	Email, request and carrier response	The opportunity to request relief may be lost

Possible Free Time Commencement Events

Possible Event	Meaning	Practical Caution	Evidence
Vessel arrival	The vessel arrives at the port	Determine whether counting begins before discharge	Vessel Event and Tariff
Discharge date	The container is discharged from the vessel	It may differ from ETA	Discharge Event
Terminal availability	The terminal records the container as available	Confirm any difference from physical discharge	Terminal Event
Available Date	The container is displayed as available for pickup	It is not necessarily the contractual commencement	Availability record
D/O or release availability	Cargo-release procedures can be completed	Review its relationship with container Free Time	D/O and release record
Gate-out	The container leaves the terminal	It may begin Detention or Combined counting	EIR and Gate Event

Calendar Days, Working Days and Tiered Rates

Calculation Item	Example	Information Required	Caution
Free period	Five days	Whether the first day is included	Do not merely add five days
Calendar days	Continuous counting including weekends	Holiday treatment	Counting may continue during long holidays
Working days	Only specified operating days are counted	Port and carrier working-day definition	It may differ from ordinary business days
First tier	Days 1–5 at JPY 5,000 per day	Applicable container size	Forty-foot and special containers may differ
Second tier	Days 6–10 at JPY 10,000 per day	Date on which the rate increases	Cost may rise rapidly with extended delay

Import FCL Timeline

Stage	Container Status	Main Charge Risk	Information Required
Before vessel arrival	The container remains on the vessel or in transit	Import Demurrage and Detention do not normally arise immediately	ETA, Free Time, customs and vehicle planning
Discharge and terminal availability	The laden container is within the port	Demurrage and Storage	Commencement and pickup availability
Pickup available	The container can be collected after release procedures	Demurrage	Last free day, vehicle and receiving slot
Gate-out	The laden container leaves the terminal	Demurrage may stop and Detention may begin	EIR and pickup time
Delivery and devanning	The cargo is unloaded at the receiving location	Detention	Completion and return deadline
Empty return	The empty container is returned to the designated location	Detention stops	Acceptance, EIR and return time

Demurrage Commencement and Stopping

Review Item	Meaning	Evidence	Caution
Commencement	Free Time is counted from the event defined in the conditions	Tariff and carrier confirmation	It may differ from pickup availability
Last free day	Final day for pickup without the charge	Free Time calculation	Review time-of-day restrictions
Charge begins	The container remains in the terminal after Free Time	Terminal Event	Storage may arise separately
Charge stops	Commonly at Gate-out or the specified pickup event	EIR and Gate Event	Review the contractual stopping event
Final amount	Calculated from actual pickup and the applicable rate	Formal invoice	It may differ from the estimate

Detention Commencement and Stopping

Review Item	Meaning	Evidence	Caution
Commencement	Counted from Gate-out or another defined event	EIR and Free Time conditions	Review whether the pickup date is included
Return deadline	Last date for free empty-container return	Carrier confirmation and return instruction	Include the location and opening hours
Charge begins	The empty container remains unreturned after the deadline	Return-management record	Preserve evidence if no appointment is available
Charge stops	The designated depot accepts the empty container	Return EIR and depot receipt	Return to the wrong location may not stop the charge
Final amount	Calculated from actual return and the applicable rate	Formal invoice	Review any system-update delay

Container-Status Decision Flow

Step	Container Status	Likely Charge	Information Required
1	The vessel has not arrived	Normally not immediate Demurrage or Detention	Revised ETA, Free Time and pickup plan
2	The container is within the port after arrival	Demurrage and Storage	Commencement, last free day, D/O and customs
3	The container is available but not picked up	Demurrage	Vehicle, receiving and terminal appointment
4	The laden container has left the terminal	Detention	Pickup, delivery and return deadline
5	Devanning is in progress	Detention	Completion and empty transfer
6	The empty container awaits return	Detention	Depot, appointment and opening hours
7	The empty container has been returned	Detention normally stops	EIR, acceptance and invoiced period
8	LCL cargo remains in a CFS	CFS storage and related charges	Pickup availability, storage commencement and customs

Relationship with Vessel Arrival Delay

Import Demurrage and Detention do not necessarily arise immediately while the vessel remains in transit.

However, vessel delay may cause the cargo owner to lose a delivery appointment or vehicle arrangement, making it difficult to complete pickup, devanning and empty return within Free Time.

After a vessel delay, the revised ETA should therefore be used to recheck Free Time, customs documents, D/O, vehicle availability, receiving slots and the empty-return plan before arrival.

Relationship with Port Congestion

Port congestion may restrict terminal appointments, gate operations, vehicle availability and empty-container return.

Demurrage or Detention is not automatically waived merely because the port is congested.

Where relief is requested, terminal screenshots, closure or congestion notices, failed appointment records, correspondence with the shipping line or NVOCC and inquiries concerning alternative depots should be preserved.

Relationship with Customs and D/O Delay

Cause	Effect	Evidence	Allocation Consideration
Incomplete invoice or packing list	Declaration or amendment is delayed	Document receipt and correction record	Who supplied the correct document and when
Customs inspection	Permission and pickup are delayed	Inspection instruction and completion	Whether the event was reasonably avoidable
Other-law review	Permission or approval remains pending	Application and approval record	Timing of application and preparation
Unpaid D/O charges	Release is not completed	Invoice, payment and release time	Whether payment instructions were timely
Original B/L not available	D/O issuance is delayed	B/L dispatch, receipt and endorsement	Responsibility for document dispatch or surrender
Freight forwarder confirmation delay	Pickup procedures begin late	Arrival Notice and internal handling record	Whether earlier action could have avoided the charge

Relationship with Receiving Restrictions

Status	Likely Charge	Possible Response	Caution
No receiving slot before pickup	Demurrage	Early pickup, external depot or rescheduling	Compare alternative cost with Demurrage
Receiver rejects after pickup	Detention and waiting	Alternative warehouse, return or redelivery	Obtain cargo-owner approval
Devanning takes longer than planned	Detention and waiting	Additional labour or next-day return	Review depot opening hours
Required equipment is unavailable	Detention and vehicle rescheduling	Arrange forklift or crane	Review whether receiving conditions were confirmed
Multiple delivery points	Detention	External devanning and separate delivery	Review the reasonableness of multi-stop container use

FCL and LCL

Item	FCL	LCL	Operational Caution
Management unit	Container	Cargo or House B/L	Confirm the charging party
Port dwell	Demurrage and Storage may arise	CFS storage is more relevant	Do not use the same charge name automatically
After pickup	Detention is managed until empty return	The cargo owner does not normally return the container	Vehicle waiting is a separate charge
Starting point	Container availability or other carrier event	CFS cargo availability	Do not use ETA alone
Stopping event	Gate-out and empty return	Cargo pickup	Review the applicable Tariff
Evidence	EIR, Gate Event and return record	CFS receipt and pickup record	Preserve the appropriate evidence

Estimated and Final Charges

Status	Position	Explanation to the Cargo Owner	Required Response
Risk exists	It is uncertain whether pickup or return will occur within Free Time	The charge may arise depending on the actual pickup or return date.	Confirm the last free day and operating plan
Estimated charge	Excess days are expected from the current schedule	The current plan may result in approximately the stated number of excess days.	Calculate using the applicable rate
Charge running	Free Time has expired and the number of days continues	The charge is currently increasing at the applicable daily rate.	Take action to stop the charge
Final charge	Actual pickup or return is known	The period, days, rate and amount can now be confirmed.	Compare the invoice with the evidence
Waiver pending	A reduction or waiver request remains under review	The final payable amount remains subject to the carrier's decision.	Do not state that relief is confirmed

Estimated Calculation Example

Excess Period	Days	Daily Rate	Subtotal
June 11–15	5 days	JPY 5,000	JPY 25,000
June 16–17	2 days	JPY 10,000	JPY 20,000
Total	7 days	Tiered rate	JPY 45,000

The actual invoice requires confirmation of whether the commencement and pickup dates are included, calendar or working days apply, tax and currency treatment, container size and any separate Storage Charge.

Free Time Extension and Waiver

Review Item	Information Required	Evidence	Caution
Request timing	Before expiry or after the charge arises	Request email	Advance application may be required
Reason	Port closure, return impossibility or carrier instruction	Official notice and screenshot	A general statement of congestion may be insufficient
Mitigation effort	Whether other slots, depots or vehicles were checked	Inquiry record	Reasonable mitigation may be considered
Request recipient	Shipping line, NVOCC or agent	Booking and B/L reference	Match the request with the charging party
Approved relief	Full waiver, extension or partial reduction	Written approval	Do not rely solely on an oral response

Cost-Mitigation Measures

• Review the B/L, D/O, customs documents and payment conditions before vessel arrival
• Manage the commencement, last free day and tiered rates by calendar date
• Secure a drayage vehicle when pickup availability becomes visible
• Confirm receiving slots, devanning equipment and working time in advance
• Confirm the return depot, return appointment and opening hours before pickup
• Compare early pickup, external devanning and temporary storage where pickup and receiving do not align
• Notify the shipping line or NVOCC immediately where return is impossible or port restrictions apply
• Consider requesting extension or relief before Free Time expires

Cost-Allocation Review

Review Item	Information Required	Evidence	Effect on Allocation
Charge name	Demurrage, Detention, Storage or CFS storage	Invoice and Tariff	Identifies the operation and charging party
Charge period	Beginning and ending date	Terminal Event and EIR	Confirms the number of invoiced days
Commencement and stopping	Events that started and stopped the charge	Free Time conditions	Identifies overcharging or miscalculation
Direct cause	Customs, D/O, vehicle, receiving or return	Chronology	Identifies the responsible operating area
Contract and terms	Cost allocation, exclusions and limitation	B/L and quotation terms	Affects recoverability
Notice	When the Free Time and charge risk were communicated	Email and internal record	Relevant to explanation and mitigation
Instruction	Who instructed pickup, storage or delayed delivery	Instruction email	Confirms approval of the cost-causing action
Avoidability	Whether early pickup, storage or another depot was possible	Alternative quotation	Relevant to reasonable mitigation
Relief	Whether an extension or waiver was requested	Request and response	Affects the final payable amount

The existence of a charge and the right to recover it from the shipping line, NVOCC, freight forwarder, cargo owner, receiving party, customs broker, delivery provider or another party are separate issues.

Operational Cases

Case	Main Issue	Evidence	Decision Point	Initial Response
Vessel arrival was assumed to be the Free Time commencement	Incorrect commencement	Tariff and Terminal Event	What condition actually applies	Recalculate the last free day
Available Date was stated as the commencement without confirmation	Unverified condition was presented as fact	Carrier confirmation and email	Whether shipment-specific confirmation existed	Correct the explanation immediately
D/O delay caused Demurrage	Document, payment and notice delay	D/O invoice, payment and release	Whose process was delayed	Establish the chronology
No receiving slot existed before the last free day	Demurrage compared with early pickup	Free Time, storage quotation and appointment	Whether a reasonable mitigation option existed	Present alternatives to the cargo owner
Devanning was incomplete after delivery	Detention and receiving work	Arrival, work and return record	Whether receiving conditions were checked	Notify the return outlook and possible charge
No empty-return appointment was available	Return impossibility and relief	Appointment screen and inquiries	Whether another depot was available	Notify the shipping line immediately
Demurrage and Storage were both invoiced	Different charging parties and charge types	Invoices and Tariffs	Whether they are separate charges or duplication	Review the basis separately
An estimate was invoiced as a final amount	Estimated and formal charges were confused	Estimate and formal invoice	When the amount became final	Explain the difference and basis
Detention was passed through directly for LCL cargo	FCL and LCL cost structures were confused	CFS invoice and House B/L	The actual charge and contractual basis	Correct the charge description

Freight Forwarder Involvement

The five classifications used in this article are not established by law or industry-wide consensus. They serve as an analytical framework within this series to clarify the scope of freight forwarder involvement.

Classification	Main Involvement	Typical Responsibility Review	Key Documents and Facts	Caution
Simple Intermediary	Communicates Free Time, pickup, return and invoice information	Whether information was checked and transmitted accurately and promptly	Receipt, inquiry, transmission and warning records	This role does not automatically bear the charge
Cargo Transportation Service Provider	Separately arranges D/O, customs, pickup, delivery or return	Whether the entrusted operation was completed within the deadline	Instructions, vehicle, customs and EIR	Separate another operation's delay from its own work
NVOCC / House B/L Issuer	Manages Free Time, invoicing and pickup conditions as the House carrier	Notice, invoicing and transport duties as the Contracting Carrier	House B/L, Tariff, Arrival Notice and invoice	Separate Actual Carrier charges from charges passed to the cargo owner
Door-to-Door Single Contractor	Integrates customs, pickup, delivery, devanning and empty return	Overall process management, warning and cost mitigation	Integrated contract, schedule, vehicle and return record	Contractual responsibility may remain despite subcontracting
Agent / Coordinator for Specific Operations	Coordinates only specified D/O, customs, vehicle, appointment or return work	Deadline management within the specifically entrusted operation	Instruction, email and work report	Responsibility for one operation does not establish responsibility for all charges

Contractual status, the actual scope of entrusted work, physical operations, business attributes, names appearing on transport documents, insurance status, applicable terms and mandatory law must be examined separately from the Standard Five Classifications. These matters do not constitute a sixth classification or any additional classification.

It is necessary to identify who is the Contracting Carrier, who is the Actual Carrier, who confirmed the Free Time, and who handled the D/O, customs, pickup, vehicle, receiving appointment, devanning and empty-container return.

It is also necessary to identify who recognised and communicated the last free day and charge risk, and who instructed or approved early pickup, external storage, delayed delivery or the return method.

Responsibility cannot be determined solely from a party's description as a shipping line, NVOCC, prime freight forwarder, overseas agent, customs broker, delivery provider or receiving party. The contract, transport documents, applicable terms, entrusted work, notice timing and response after the problem became known must be reviewed.

Common Misunderstandings

Misunderstanding	Actual Approach	Practical Caution
Vessel delay immediately creates Demurrage	The post-arrival Free Time and pickup status are normally relevant	Confirm the commencement
Demurrage and Detention are the same charge	Terminal dwell and post-pickup return delay are separated	Confirm the container location
Free Time always begins on vessel arrival	The commencement depends on the applicable conditions	Review the Tariff
Five free days always means five days after arrival	First-day treatment, holidays and time restrictions affect the date	Confirm the last free day as a calendar date
All charges stop at terminal pickup	Demurrage may stop while Detention begins	Manage the empty return
Port congestion automatically produces a waiver	Relief may require an individual request and decision	Preserve evidence and apply early
Demurrage and Storage are the same charge	The charging party and subject may differ	Review each invoice and Tariff
The estimate and formal invoice must be identical	Actual events and tiered rates may change the amount	Separate estimated and final charges
The party receiving the invoice is the final responsible party	The invoicing relationship and final allocation are separate	Review contract, cause and instruction
LCL cargo follows the same Detention structure as FCL	CFS storage and cargo-level charges are more relevant	Confirm the actual charge name

Example 1: Vessel Delay, Lost Receiving Slot and Demurrage

Assume that a 40-foot container is imported from Shanghai to Yokohama with an original ETA of June 3 and a receiving appointment on June 6.

The vessel arrives four days late, and the last free day is June 12. The next receiving appointment is not available until June 17.

The cargo owner argues that approximately JPY 120,000 in Demurrage after June 12 should be borne by the shipping line because the vessel delay caused the original appointment to be lost.

The prime freight forwarder had proposed pickup on June 11, external devanning and storage for approximately JPY 90,000, but the cargo owner rejected the proposal for cargo-control reasons.

The relationship between the vessel delay and Demurrage does not automatically determine full cost allocation.

The shipping line or NVOCC terms, Free Time, receiving appointment, reasonableness of early pickup, rejection by the cargo owner and possible mitigation must be reviewed.

Example 2: Document Error and Notification Delay

Assume that an FCL shipment of machinery parts arrives in Kobe with a last free day of July 10.

The invoice description is insufficient for import declaration, and customs requests additional information. The cargo owner supplies corrected documents on July 8.

Import permission is obtained on July 9, but the freight forwarder employee does not inform the delivery provider that pickup is possible until July 11. Actual pickup occurs on July 13, resulting in JPY 60,000 in Demurrage.

The cargo owner claims the entire amount from the freight forwarder because of the delay after permission. The freight forwarder argues that the original document error removed the available scheduling margin.

The cargo-owner document delay and the freight forwarder's notification delay overlap.

The charge period, avoidability at each stage, vehicle availability and prior Free Time warning must be reviewed without reducing the matter to a single cause.

Example 3: Detention Caused by Failed Empty Return

Assume that a 40-foot container is collected from Tokyo and delivered to a factory in Nagano, with empty return planned for the following day.

Devanning takes six hours longer than expected, and the delivery provider misses the depot's closing time.

The following day is a public holiday, and the next available return appointment is full. Actual return occurs three days later, resulting in JPY 90,000 in Detention.

The cargo owner argues that the delivery provider is responsible for failing to secure a return slot. The delivery provider states that the factory's delayed work caused the missed appointment.

The factory work record, vehicle arrival, return appointment, inquiries concerning alternative depots and notice to the shipping line must be reviewed.

Receipt of the Detention invoice does not by itself determine the final responsibility of the delivery provider or cargo owner.

When to Consult a Maritime Lawyer

Routine low-value Demurrage or Detention may not require immediate legal advice. Consultation with a lawyer experienced in maritime transport, logistics contracts and cargo insurance should nevertheless be considered where:

• Demurrage or Detention continues for an extended period and becomes substantial
• The applicable Tariff, B/L terms or Free Time conditions are disputed
• Duplicate or overlapping Demurrage, Detention and Storage charges are alleged
• A waiver is refused despite port closure or inability to return the container
• The cargo owner, freight forwarder, customs broker, delivery provider and receiving party deny responsibility against one another
• The freight forwarder's Free Time explanation or failure to warn is alleged to have caused the loss
• Lien, retention, delivery refusal or document refusal is involved
• An admission, indemnity, settlement or waiver is requested
• A claim deadline, objection period or time bar is approaching

The B/L, Arrival Notice, Free Time confirmation, Tariff, D/O, customs documents, import permission, Terminal Event, pickup EIR, return EIR, vehicle records, receiving appointment, waiver request and invoices should be arranged chronologically.

Decision Checklist

Review Stage	Party or Source	Information to Confirm	Action if a Problem Exists
Before vessel arrival	Shipping line or NVOCC	Free Time, commencement and rates	Manage the dates internally
Arrival Notice	NVOCC or D/O personnel	ETA, charges and release conditions	Identify outstanding procedures
Discharge and availability	Terminal	Discharge and Available Date	Review the commencement relationship
Customs	Customs broker	Documents, inspection and permission	Warn the cargo owner of the charge risk
D/O	Shipping line or NVOCC	Payment, B/L and release	Resolve outstanding requirements
Before the last free day	Delivery provider and receiver	Pickup, vehicle and receiving slot	Compare early pickup and storage
At pickup	Terminal and delivery provider	Gate-out, EIR and Detention deadline	Recheck the return plan
At delivery	Receiver and delivery provider	Devanning and work delay	Notify any return risk
Before return	Depot and shipping line	Depot, appointment and opening hours	Check alternative depots
At return	Depot and delivery provider	Acceptance, EIR and time	Preserve the evidence
At invoicing	Charging party	Charge name, period, days and rate	Compare the invoice with the Tariff and events
At waiver request	Shipping line or NVOCC	Reason, evidence and request deadline	Obtain a written response
At liability dispute	Contractual party and maritime lawyer	Contract, cause, notice and mitigation	Do not admit liability immediately; preserve records

Summary

Demurrage and Detention both concern use of a container beyond Free Time, but they arise at different locations and stages.

Demurrage generally concerns a laden container remaining within the port or terminal. Detention generally concerns the period after pickup and before return of the empty container.

The charge name, commencement, stopping event, free period, holiday treatment, tiered rate and Combined Free Time differ by shipping line, NVOCC, port, trade lane and contract.

Vessel delay alone does not necessarily create Demurrage or Detention immediately. It may nevertheless disrupt vehicle, receiving and return plans and lead indirectly to Free Time expiry.

Demurrage commonly stops at Gate-out or another specified pickup event. Detention commonly stops when the designated depot accepts the empty container. The actual contractual conditions must be confirmed.

For FCL cargo, pickup availability, the last free day, Gate-out, delivery, devanning and empty return must be managed together. For LCL cargo, CFS availability and storage should be reviewed rather than automatically applying the FCL Detention structure.

The cargo owner should be told whether a charge is at risk, estimated, currently running, final or subject to a waiver request.

The existence of a charge and the right to recover it from the shipping line, NVOCC, freight forwarder, cargo owner, receiving party or another party are separate issues.

Freight forwarder responsibility cannot be determined solely from the fact that it passed through a Demurrage or Detention invoice. Its status as the Contracting Carrier or Actual Carrier, its position under the Standard Five Classifications, the entrusted work, Free Time review, warning, arrangements and response after the problem became known must be examined.

Delay, Demurrage and Detention is not merely a matter of remembering charge names. It is the operational management of container location, Free Time, commencement, stopping events, evidence, mitigation and responsibility.