Detention time measures the delay a carrier experiences when a shipper or receiver holds up a truck past the agreed free time, typically two hours. Because drivers are usually paid per mile, sitting idle at a dock costs them income and disrupts their legal hours of service. Carriers charge detention fees to recover these lost earnings and incentivize faster turnaround times at the warehouse.
We hit three hours of detention time at the grocery distribution center because their forklift broke down.
Most standard freight contracts allow two hours of free time before detention time starts accruing at an hourly rate.
Related terms
Handling time
The operational window required to pick, pack, and transfer an order to an outbound freight carrier.
Clearance time
The duration required for an intersection or road segment to empty of traffic before conflicting movements begin.
HGV
Heavy goods vehicle, the standard European and British classification for commercial trucks over 3.5 tonnes.