Detention (Freight)
Detention is the fee a carrier charges when its truck and driver are held at a shipper or receiver beyond the agreed free time, and Warp's LTL Tariff 1.2 sets LTL detention at 30 free minutes, then $1 per minute during business hours and $2 per minute after hours. Traditional carriers typically allow two hours free, so a driver waiting three hours at a grocery DC for an unload appointment triggers one hour of billable detention. The fee compensates the carrier for lost productivity.
Source: Warp LTL Tariff 1.2 · Rows: LTL Detention (0800 to 1700), LTL Detention (After Hours 1800 to 0700)
- 30 min
- free time before Warp LTL detention starts
- $1/min
- during business hours, 0800 to 1700
- $2/min
- after hours, 1800 to 0700
- 2 hours
- free time traditional carriers typically allow before billing
Why it matters
Detention adds unplanned cost to every shipment it touches and damages carrier relationships, making it harder to secure capacity when you need it most. Chronic detention at a facility is a signal of deeper operational inefficiencies. Average detention fees of $50 to $100 per hour can add thousands per month for a facility running 20+ loads per week.
When to use it
Track detention exposure any time you are scheduling pickups or deliveries at facilities with limited dock doors, slow unload processes, or appointment backlogs. If your facility averages more than 30 minutes of wait time per truck, a dock scheduling overhaul should be a priority.
How Warp thinks about it
Warp's cross-dock network and per-pallet pricing model keep truck time tight by design. Freight moves through cross-docks on predictable windows, reducing the dwell time that triggers detention fees. Our AI backbone, Orbit, schedules cross-dock appointments to minimize wait time for every inbound and outbound move.
Detention: Warp LTL Tariff 1.2 beside a published legacy item
| Warp LTL | FedEx Freight, Item 500 (rates effective Jan 6, 2025, read Sep 5, 2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Free time | 30 minutes | Not printed on the quicksheet; see the FXF 100 Rules Tariff |
| Charge with power | $1 per minute in business hours, $2 per minute after hours | $77 per 28-foot trailer each 15 minutes, $92 minimum |
| Charge without power | Not a Warp LTL line | $258 per 28-foot trailer each 24 hours |
Pricing a shipment? Get a live rate for 1 pallet, 500 lb and see your per pallet number in 10 seconds.
Frequently asked questions about detention (freight)
What is detention (freight)?
Detention is the fee a carrier charges when its truck and driver are held at a shipper or receiver beyond the agreed free time, and Warp's LTL Tariff 1.2 sets LTL detention at 30 free minutes, then $1 per minute during business hours and $2 per minute after hours. Traditional carriers typically allow two hours free, so a driver waiting three hours at a grocery DC for an unload appointment triggers one hour of billable detention. The fee compensates the carrier for lost productivity.
Why does detention (freight) matter in freight?
Detention adds unplanned cost to every shipment it touches and damages carrier relationships, making it harder to secure capacity when you need it most. Chronic detention at a facility is a signal of deeper operational inefficiencies. Average detention fees of $50 to $100 per hour can add thousands per month for a facility running 20+ loads per week.
When should you use detention (freight)?
Track detention exposure any time you are scheduling pickups or deliveries at facilities with limited dock doors, slow unload processes, or appointment backlogs. If your facility averages more than 30 minutes of wait time per truck, a dock scheduling overhaul should be a priority.
How does Warp handle detention (freight)?
Warp's cross-dock network and per-pallet pricing model keep truck time tight by design. Freight moves through cross-docks on predictable windows, reducing the dwell time that triggers detention fees. Our AI backbone, Orbit, schedules cross-dock appointments to minimize wait time for every inbound and outbound move.