Shippers and forwarders have been warned by DB Schenker that they risk additional charges if they retain containers, reports Aircargo Asia Pacific.
Penalty charges vary based on the size and length of time involved but can be as high as US$400 per day for 40' reefer and tanker containers not returned after 11 days.
Container detention charges are a huge issue across the board not just for Schenker. Shipping lines vary their detention free periods but in general, a standard of 7 - 10 calendar days (including public holidays and weekends) to return an empty container.
Schenker states the client is responsible for detention charges and is required to advise 48 hours prior to the termination of free time when the empty container is considered "available".
The Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia (CBFCA) is working with stakeholders to have a facility of "exception reporting" whereby forwarders and customs brokers can receive alerts when the detention free period is due to expire. The aim would be for empty container yards to transmit "gate in" data to a central hub, which in turn would forward this information to industry software applications.
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