Free time is the number of days an ocean carrier or terminal allows you to use a container or terminal space without extra charges. Once free time expires, the clock starts on demurrage (container still at the terminal) or detention/per diem (container out with you). Understanding exactly when your free time starts, how it counts, and how to extend it is the single cheapest way to avoid the fee spiral that catches many importers at PortMiami and Port Everglades.
The two kinds of free time
Terminal free time (demurrage clock)
This is how long your discharged container can sit at the marine terminal before storage charges begin. At South Florida terminals it is commonly around 4-5 working days for dry containers and less for reefers, though it varies by terminal, carrier contract, and cargo type. When it lapses, you pay demurrage per container per day — and rates escalate in tiers.
Equipment free time (detention clock)
This is how long you can keep the carrier’s container outside the terminal — at your warehouse or a transload facility — before detention or per diem charges apply. Typical allowances run 3-5 business days from outgate. The two clocks are independent: you can exhaust terminal free time waiting on customs, then exhaust equipment free time unloading slowly, and pay both.
How free time is counted
Details matter. Some tariffs count calendar days, others working days; some start the clock at vessel discharge, others the day after. Weekends and port holidays may or may not pause it. Reefers, hazmat, and out-of-gauge cargo usually get shorter allowances. Always pull the specific tariff or your service contract rather than assuming — the differences are worth hundreds of dollars per box. Our guide to demurrage vs. detention vs. per diem breaks down each fee in detail.
How to protect your free time
File customs entry and ISF early so the box is releasable the day it discharges. Pre-clear holds before vessel arrival. Book drayage before discharge, not after, and use a carrier with its own chassis so equipment never delays the pickup. Consider a pre-pull to a secure yard when your dock is full — one yard storage day is cheaper than one tier-two demurrage day. For a full playbook, see how to avoid demurrage at PortMiami.
Can free time be extended?
Yes — high-volume shippers negotiate extended free time in their ocean contracts, and it is often worth more than a lower base rate. Ad hoc extensions are occasionally granted for port congestion or carrier-caused delays, but never count on a waiver after the fact. Negotiate before peak season, and audit invoices: misapplied start dates and uncounted holidays are common and disputable.
Frequently asked questions
When does free time start counting?
Terminal free time usually starts at vessel discharge or the first working day after it, depending on the tariff. Equipment free time starts when the container gates out of the terminal. Check the specific carrier tariff because start rules and day counting differ.
How much free time do I get at PortMiami or Port Everglades?
Commonly around 4-5 working days of terminal free time for dry containers and 3-5 business days of equipment free time, but allowances vary by terminal, ocean carrier, contract, and equipment type, and reefers typically get less.
Is free time negotiable?
Yes. Importers with steady volume regularly negotiate extended free time into ocean carrier service contracts, and extended allowances are often more valuable than a small discount on the freight rate.
Go Freight’s dispatch tracks free time on every container it hauls at PortMiami and Port Everglades, with 100+ owned trucks and an in-house chassis pool. Get a quote or call (786) 445-0150.