Detention (estadía) is the charge for the time a vehicle and/or driver remains at origin or destination beyond contractual free time, usually due to loading or unloading delays. It differs from demurrage, which applies to container time at terminals or depots.
The trailer arrived at 9:10 for a 9:00 appointment; the dock takes it at 1:40 p.m. The carrier bills four hours. Who is right? Without an arrival geofence, without an unload-start record, and without written free time, the argument is opinion. This guide covers definition, the matrix vs demurrage, five-step governance, and Mexico context.
- common free time (written, not “habitual”)
- 2–4 h
- typical retail/CPG MX waits if unmeasured
- 3–8 h
- NA industry range (hedge; confirm MX)
- ~$50–90/h
- detention charges to audit with evidence
- 100%
Cluster: distribution KPIs · accessorials · OTIF · hidden cost of detention · freight audit.
What detention is (usable answer)
Detention compensates immobilization of the transport asset when the plant does not load/unload within free time. It is vehicle/driver dwell — not an arbitrary penalty — but it is only legitimate with a prior rule and evidence.
Minimum agreement components: free time (hours), when the clock starts (gate arrival vs appointment time vs door open), hourly or block rate, caps, and exceptions (operational weather, stoppage, etc.). Without that, accounts payable improvises and the carrier bills its standard.
Detention vs demurrage vs layover
Confusing these terms makes you over-sign or under-dispute. Align language in contracts with carriers and customers.
Detention / estadía
What is billed: Unit / driver time
Where it happens: Origin / destination plant
Typical evidence: GPS, gate, dock, ePOD
Demurrage
What is billed: Container time
Where it happens: Terminal / depot
Typical evidence: Cut-offs and ocean carrier releases
Layover
What is billed: Authorized overnight wait
Where it happens: Lane or plant
Typical evidence: Agreement + log
Dry run
What is billed: Failed trip
Where it happens: Before or at plant
Typical evidence: Order + refusal
How to govern detention in 5 steps
If you cannot measure it, you will pay it. This sequence lowers the drama.
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Detalle del paso · 01
Write free time
Step 1
Detention in Mexico (docks and ranges)
At retail distribution centers (DCs) in central Mexico, the typical pattern is a strict ±30 min appointment plus poorly documented 2–3 h free time: the carrier bills from gate arrival and the receiver from dock open. The transportation management system (TMS) buyer must capture both timestamps and the contract rule in the same object that feeds freight audit, not a parallel chat.
Waits of 3–8 hours at retail/CPG docks are not rare when appointments fail. On hourly rates: North American industry ranges are often cited around USD 50–90/hour after free time (NA hedge — confirm your contract). In Mexico CPG/retail contracts 2024–2026, observed ranges are on the order of $350–$800 MXN/hour after free time. Always calibrate to your appendix.
Cash and control board: distribution KPIs — logistics Mexico. Operating depth: hidden cost of detention.
Mistakes that turn free time into a blank check
These failures produce high cost KPIs and angry customers (or carriers).
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Do not leave free time oral
OCL and the trip file
OCL Cargo is an autonomous transportation management system (TMS) with agents: it joins free time, timestamps (GPS / dock), and proof of delivery (POD) in a trip file so detention can be accepted or rejected before pay. It coexists with your system of record; your team decides exceptions. When applicable, OCL can stamp invoices and Carta Porte. It does not set your free time or guarantee zero detention.
Key takeaways6 points
- Detention (estadía) bills vehicle/driver time at a plant beyond agreed free time — dwell time, not an arbitrary penalty.
- Demurrage bills container time at a terminal or depot; they are not synonyms even though both measure waiting.
- Without free time, hourly rate, and timestamps, detention becomes narrative — and you usually pay.
- In Mexico, 3–8 hour waits at retail/CPG docks are not rare; cost hides if you do not measure it.
- Ranges: ~USD 50–90/h (NA hedge) or ~$350–$800 MXN/h in observed MX contracts — confirm your appendix.
- Cost sibling: accessorials. Hub: distribution KPIs.
Are your detention charges proven… or shouted through?
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
It depends on the customer and equipment type. Common ranges: 2–4 hours for general load/unload; strict retail can be shorter if appointments are disciplined. Normal is what is written in the contract, not what the dock usually does.
In intermodal flows they can coexist because they measure different assets (truck vs container). Do not mix them into one opaque line.
Whoever caused the delay under the contract: consignee (dock), shipper (docs/product not ready), or, if the carrier arrived late, nobody owes them detention. Attribution needs timestamps.
As an additional service with the proper code and unit (often hourly). Verify in the SAT code finder and do not hide it inside base freight. It is a time accessorial.
Yes. Plant delays push late arrivals to the next stop and degrade On Time. Also, detention fights without proof of delivery (POD) weaken In Full.
In North America, industry ranges are often cited around USD 50–90/hour after free time (NA hedge; confirm your contract). In Mexico CPG/retail, observed ranges are on the order of $350–$800 MXN/hour after free time — calibrate to your rate appendix.
Because it is frequent, sometimes poorly documented, and sampling lets it through. In the 3PL case, unsupported charges include this kind of time leakage.