Detention

Detention is a penalty fee charged by a shipping line when the merchant holds the line's container beyond the agreed free time after it leaves the port — typically while it's at the consignee's warehouse for unpacking, or being repositioned for an export load.

Free time for detention is usually 3-5 days (sometimes longer for specialised containers like reefers). After that, charges accrue per day in tiered bands. Detention is owed by the importer/consignee or whoever holds the container.

Detention is sometimes combined with demurrage charges (which apply while the container is inside the port). The two together are often referred to as "D&D" — demurrage and detention. They are among the highest-margin revenue streams for shipping lines and one of the most controversial charges in the freight industry.