A statement such as “five days of free time” is incomplete unless it specifies whether the allowance applies to demurrage, detention, storage or combined D&D; which event starts the count; whether the event date is Day 1; and whether weekends and public holidays are included. A one-day misunderstanding can cause customs clearance, truck planning, unloading and empty return to miss the last free day, triggering demurrage, detention and terminal storage at the same time. This article explains how free time works and provides a shipment-level verification process using the service contract, quotation, booking, carrier portal, local tariff and container event timestamps. It also separates carrier equipment time from terminal storage and explains why a public tariff may be superseded by valid customer-specific terms.
Operational reference for importers, exporters, procurement, operations and logistics teams.

QUICK FACTS

Free time is not one universal number

Demurrage, detention, storage and combined D&D must be identified separately.

The start event is tariff-specific

Counting may start on discharge, the following day, gate-out or another defined event.

Calendar and working days are different

Under a calendar-day rule, weekends and public holidays are generally included.

Shipment-specific confirmation has priority

Read the service contract, quotation, booking, carrier portal and effective tariff together.

Illustration for What Is Free Time? How to Check Container Free Days — Illustration of the logistics topic, document or operation discussed in the article.

SCOPE OF APPLICATION

This article mainly applies to carrier-provided FCL equipment in ocean freight, for both import and export movements.

It covers dry, reefer, tank, open-top, flat-rack and special equipment when a relevant tariff applies.
It should not automatically be applied to shipper-owned containers, LCL cargo, breakbulk cargo or voyage charter arrangements.
Free time may vary by carrier, country, port/terminal, lane, import/export direction, equipment type, general/DG/reefer cargo, contract and effective date.
Terminal storage may be separate from carrier D&D; a D&D allowance does not automatically waive storage.

KEY TERMS

Term	Meaning	Role in free-time verification
Free Time	The agreed period during which the merchant is not charged the specified demurrage, detention or combined charge.	Its scope, start event and counting convention must be stated.
Demurrage	Commonly a carrier charge when a container remains inside the port/terminal beyond the allowance.	Check discharge/full gate-in through gate-out/loading events, depending on movement.
Detention	Commonly a carrier charge for extended use of the container outside the port/terminal.	Check empty pick-up/gate-out through full gate-in/empty return.
Storage	A charge for occupying terminal, port, ICD or warehouse space.	It may be billed separately by the terminal under a different free period.
Combined D&D	One shared time pool covering defined inside/outside-terminal stages.	Do not add separate DEM and DET allowances where the term is combined.
Calendar Day	A day on the calendar, normally including weekends and public holidays.	Confirm whether the event date is Day 1.
Working Day	A working day as defined by the tariff or local terms.	Do not exclude holidays unless the governing text permits it.
Last Free Day (LFD)	The final day before the relevant charge starts.	The core deadline for pickup, unloading and empty return planning.

HOW FREE TIME WORKS

A shipment-specific commercial term

Free time is not a fixed entitlement for every container. It may originate from a public tariff, service contract, quotation, booking or additional confirmation. Conditions can differ within the same carrier by direction, port, equipment, cargo type and customer contract.

Three data points determine the last free day

Trigger event: discharge, availability, gate-out, empty pick-up, full gate-in or another event.
Counting convention: event date as Day 1 or counting from the following day; calendar or working days.
Ending event: gate-out, empty return, full gate-in, loading/on-board or another system-recorded event.

Control point: ETA is not necessarily the free-time start. Use the actual carrier/terminal event required by the governing tariff.

Integrated calculation example

If an import confirmation states five calendar days of import demurrage, with the discharge date counted as Day 1, a container discharged on 10 August has an LFD of 14 August and demurrage begins on 15 August if it has not gated out. If counting begins on the day following discharge, the LFD shifts to 15 August. The exact wording changes the result.

FREE-TIME STAGES

Movement	Charge	Typical start event	Typical end event	Common mistake
Import	Import Demurrage	Discharge, availability or following day	Full container gate-out	Using ETA instead of the actual event; confusing DEM with storage.
Import	Import Detention	Gate-out or following day	Accepted empty return	Wrong depot, missing return event or no valid EIR.
Export	Export Detention	Empty pick-up or following day	Full gate-in	Collecting equipment too early.
Export	Export Demurrage	Full gate-in	Loading/on-board/cut-off under the tariff	Early gate-in or rolled shipment.
Import/Export	Combined D&D	Defined combined start event	Defined end of combined cycle	Treating one shared pool as separate allowances.
Import/Export	Terminal Storage	Terminal tariff event	Exit from chargeable area	Assuming carrier DEM relief also waives terminal storage.

DOCUMENTS AND DATA TO VERIFY

Document/data	Issuer	Fields to check	Purpose
Service contract / rate agreement / quotation	Carrier, NVOCC or forwarder	Standard/additional free time, split/combined, validity and scope	Identifies the negotiated commercial condition.
Booking confirmation	Carrier/forwarder	Booking, lane, ETD, equipment and any free-time remark	Shipment reference; not every booking displays full D&D terms.
B/L / Arrival Notice	Carrier/NVOCC/agent	B/L, container, ETA and discharge port	Locks the correct shipment for portal lookup.
Carrier portal / calculator	Carrier	Container-level free days, LFD and current charges	Operational system output; save the confirmation.
Local D&D tariff	Carrier	Effective date, direction, equipment, day convention and rate tiers	Fills gaps not covered by the negotiated agreement.
Terminal storage tariff	Port/terminal/ICD	Storage allowance, trigger event and rates	Separates storage from carrier D&D.
Event timestamps	Carrier/terminal/depot	Discharge, availability, gate-out, full gate-in, empty return, loaded	Calculates actual usage and supports invoice disputes.
Extension confirmation	Carrier/NVOCC/forwarder	Additional days, applicable B/L/container, expiry and conditions	Evidence of an approved extension.

HOW TO CHECK CONTAINER FREE DAYS

Lock the shipment scope: carrier, B/L, booking, container, port, movement, equipment and cargo type.
Identify the model: split DEM/DET or combined D&D; identify terminal storage separately.
Read negotiated terms: service contract, quotation, booking remarks and written confirmation.
Match the effective tariff: correct country, port, direction, equipment and validity.
Capture the actual start event: discharge, availability, gate-out, empty pick-up or full gate-in from the system.
Confirm the counting rule: event date or following day; calendar or working days; holiday treatment.
Calculate each LFD: maintain separate timelines for demurrage, detention and storage.
Verify on the carrier tool: search by B/L/container and save evidence; resolve discrepancies in writing.
Build an execution buffer: set customs, pickup, unloading and empty-return deadlines before the LFD.

Basic control formula: chargeable usage equals the elapsed days under the tariff minus confirmed free time. Where progressive slabs apply, allocate excess days across each rate tier.

COMMON RISKS AND ERRORS

Error	Cause	Impact	Control
Asking only “how many days?”	No split between DEM, DET, storage and combined terms	Wrong LFD	Request a charge-by-charge free-time matrix.
Using ETA as Day 1	No check of discharge/availability	Timeline misalignment	Use actual portal/terminal events.
Ignoring weekends/holidays	Assuming working-day treatment	Unexpected charges	Read the calendar/working-day definition.
Assuming DEM relief includes storage	Failure to separate billing parties	Unbudgeted terminal invoice	Check both carrier and terminal tariffs.
Using public tariff instead of contract terms	Missing named-account/additional allowance	Wrong entitlement or rates	Reconcile contract, quotation and shipment confirmation.
No valid empty-return event	Wrong depot, after-hours return or missing EIR	Detention continues	Retain EIR, timestamp, photos and return confirmation.
Rolled/export schedule changed	No free-time extension request	Export D&D exposure	Obtain written extension or waiver before LFD.

LEGAL BASIS – OFFICIAL SOURCES

Free time is primarily governed by the contract of carriage, carrier tariffs and terminal commercial terms. There is no universal number of free days for all carriers and lanes.

REVIEW NOTE: Sources and tool coverage were reviewed through 16 July 2026; shipment-specific terms must still be confirmed for the actual movement.

Source	What to verify	Application note
Maersk – D&D Terms	Definitions of Free Time, Demurrage, Detention, Combined D&D and Storage.	General terms must be read together with the local tariff and shipment-specific agreement.
Hapag-Lloyd – D&D Tariffs	Country tariff, standard free time, equipment type and rate tiers.	Select the correct country, import/export movement and effective date.
Hapag-Lloyd – D&D Calculator	Booking/container-level free time and cost information.	The tool is being rolled out market by market. As reviewed on 16 July 2026, Hapag-Lloyd’s official page states that Vietnam is not yet supported. For Vietnam shipments, rely on the applicable tariff, booking terms and written carrier/agent confirmation.
CMA CGM – General Terms	Free-time definition and the principle that D&D applies after expiry.	Read with the local tariff and the booking/service contract.
CMA CGM – Vietnam D&D tariff effective 1 Jan 2026	An official example showing free days, calendar-day treatment, container types and rate tiers in Vietnam.	Use only within the carrier, scope and validity stated in the document.
Federal Maritime Commission – D&D	Reference distinction between terminal demurrage and extended equipment-use detention.	Use only for movements within the jurisdiction of U.S. law. It does not replace the applicable tariff, contract or local rules in other markets.

FAQ

1. Does seven days of free time mean seven DEM days plus seven DET days?

Not necessarily. It may be a separate allowance, a different number for each charge, or one combined D&D pool.

2. Does free time start from ETA?

Do not assume so. The tariff may use discharge, availability or another event. ETA is only an estimate.

3. Are Sundays and public holidays counted?

They generally are under a calendar-day rule. Apply any working-day or holiday exclusion only where stated.

4. Can additional free time be purchased or negotiated?

Often yes, subject to carrier policy and timing. Obtain a written or portal confirmation identifying the shipment and conditions.

5. Does customs inspection automatically stop D&D?

No universal automatic stop applies. Relief depends on the tariff, jurisdiction, cause and approval by the billing party.

6. What if a forwarder quotation conflicts with the carrier portal?

Request reconciliation against the service contract/booking and obtain written confirmation. HBL and MBL conditions may also differ.

APPLICATION NOTE: Free-time days, trigger events and charges vary by carrier, terminal, country, contract, equipment, cargo type and effective date. Obtain confirmation by B/L/container and retain all events, EIRs, extension approvals, tariffs and calculator outputs.

TGIMEX IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT

TGIMEX helps businesses turn the article into a shipment-ready checklist, covering input-data review, dossier preparation, milestone control, and coordination with the relevant parties.

Convert guidance into checks

Assign an owner and deadline to every operational control point.

Reconcile shipment data

Compare booking, transport, commercial, customs, and delivery evidence.

Manage operational risk

Record discrepancies, actions, and decision evidence to prevent recurrence.

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