GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

Dwell Time Import Container

An import container is discharged at the terminal – and the clock starts immediately.

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Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 22 November 2025

Source: https://www.logisticsglossary.com

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Definition & Explanation

An import container is discharged at the terminal – and the clock starts immediately. Dwell time is the period between a container's arrival at the port or terminal and its pickup or onward movement. Each additional day generates costs: terminal storage fees, demurrage charged by the shipping line, and potentially detention if the container remains too long at the importer's premises after leaving the terminal. Freight forwarders and importers work to cut dwell time through early customs clearance, proactive logistics planning, and prompt collection. Measured in days, the metric is a standard indicator of operational efficiency in port and supply chain analysis.

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Dwell Time Import Container

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Dwell time of import containers at the Port of Barcelona

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