Detention is the charge a carrier bills when a driver is held at a shipper or receiver beyond the free time allowed for loading or unloading.
How detention works
Most facilities allow around two hours of free time to load or unload. Past that, the carrier can bill detention — commonly $50–$100 per hour — to compensate the driver for lost time. Brokerages sit in the middle, reconciling detention claims between carrier and customer.
Detention is one of the most common and preventable sources of margin erosion in brokerage. Catching a slow-loading facility early lets you intervene before the clock runs.
Related terms
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