Detention clause

Carrier note

Use this term in context with the rate confirmation, broker communication, facility instructions, and billing paperwork. A short definition is useful, but the written load terms control the actual freight decision.

Carrier example

A dispatcher keeps detention clause with the load file so billing can be reviewed from written records instead of memory.

Common mistake

Keeping detention clause separate from the rest of the billing packet.

Paperwork note

For detention clause, keep the signed or final version with the invoice packet and any revised instructions.

Reading a detention clause carefully

A detention clause in a rate confirmation specifies the free time, the pay rate for delay beyond it, any daily maximum, the notice or timestamp requirements, and sometimes the method by which the broker must be contacted. Each of these terms can affect whether a request is accepted at billing time.

Carriers should read the clause before arriving at the facility, not after a delay has already occurred. When the clause is vague or absent, asking the broker to add written terms before dispatch produces a cleaner working agreement than relying on a verbal promise about what detention the broker will pay.

Clause language versus verbal discussion

Brokers sometimes discuss detention terms on the call that are more favorable to the carrier than what appears in the written clause. The written clause is what controls at billing time, so a verbal promise of $75 per hour that the confirmation caps at $50 per hour creates a problem when the invoice is submitted.

The right response is to ask for the written clause to match the verbal agreement before signing. If that is not possible, send a message confirming the agreed rate before dispatch. The written record should reflect what both parties actually agreed to rather than leaving a gap that only surfaces at billing.

Questions to ask in context

• When does the detention clock start under the written clause — arrival, check-in, or appointment time?
• Does the clause specify how and when the broker must be notified?
• Is the rate per hour and any daily maximum clearly written in the confirmation?

References and methodology

• Rate confirmation educational reference - LaneMath Editorial Desk. Used here for: Educational discussion of rate confirmation review, revised confirmations, written approval, and document connections.Used for document literacy. It is not legal advice and does not replace professional review. Last checked 2026-06-29.
• Industry terminology and editorial explanation - LaneMath Editorial Desk. Used here for: Plain-English definitions, checklists, and example-only calculations.Editorial explanations are not official guidance, legal advice, or market data. Last checked 2026-06-29.