Free time

Detention invoice cancelled in four days, with extra free days added

Anonymised case from Sync Port's operational records

Shipper → consignee
Plywood manufacturer, Paraná → industrial packaging plant, California
Route
Navegantes → Oakland
Containers
2 × 40'HC
4 daysfrom invoice to cancellation
The problem

The vessel was delayed and the terminal gate opened late, so the laden containers missed the free-time window and the carrier issued a detention invoice.

What Sync Port did

Sync Port opened the dispute the same day, collected the exporter's gate-in attempts and sent the carrier a factual timeline.

The outcome
4 daysfrom invoice to cancellation

The carrier added extra free days to cover the vessel delay and cancelled the invoice four days after issuing it.

Why it matters for your next shipment

When the delay is caused by the vessel or the terminal, free time can be extended after the fact, but only if someone asks quickly and with the facts in order. Opening the dispute on the day the invoice arrives keeps the file out of collections and short.

A similar problem on an active file?

Send the route, the deadline or the invoice in question. We reply with what can be done and what we need from you.

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