# Waiting time compensation

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> Waiting time compensation is a contractually or tariff-based charge entitling a carrier or freight forwarder to payment when delays at the loading or unloading point are caused by the shipper, consignee, or third parties rather than by the transport operator.

Waiting time compensation is a contractually or tariff-based charge entitling a carrier or freight forwarder to payment when delays at the loading or unloading point are caused by the shipper, consignee, or third parties rather than by the transport operator. Common triggers include late cargo availability, congested docks, incomplete documentation, or a delayed customs release. The entitlement begins once the agreed free waiting period has lapsed, and the fee is typically calculated per hour or per day. On freight invoices, waiting time compensation appears as a separate line item, clearly distinguished from the base freight charge. It differs from demurrage, which concerns container idle time at a terminal, and from detention, which covers prolonged off-terminal equipment use.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demurrage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demurrage)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Waiting time compensation |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 117 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demurrage |

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