Detention vs Storage at Port Botany: What’s the Difference?
Two charges that catch importers out — what each one means, who charges it and how to avoid both.
If you import containers through Port Botany, you will eventually see two words on an invoice: storage and detention. They sound similar, but they are charged by different parties for different reasons.
Storage: charged by the terminal
When your container is discharged from the ship, the terminal allows a period of free storage. If the container is still at the terminal after that, storage is charged for each day.
Detention: charged by the shipping line
The container belongs to the shipping line. You have an agreed number of free days to use it and return it empty. Keep it longer and detention applies.
How to avoid both
- Share the vessel ETA with your transport company early.
- Have the release and customs clearance ready before the free storage ends.
- Use a sideloader if unpacking will take a while, then return the empty promptly.
- Track the empty-return date on every container.
Our client portal shows storage and empty-return dates on each job.
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