Free storage is the time an import container may stay in the terminal’s yard before storage charges start. Each terminal publishes the end date for every ship it has unloaded.
How the days are counted
At Durban Gateway Terminal, the free period runs from 00:01 on the day after the container is discharged, for 5 days for general-purpose containers on vessels berthing from 1 October 2026 (DGT notice). Other terminals state their free days on their import storage lists: Cape Town Container Terminal lists 4 free days for general-purpose containers, and Pier 1 dates its free storage from each block’s release. Reefers and dangerous goods usually get less.
Weather and system extensions
When a terminal stops working because of wind or a system failure, it often adds hours to free storage. Ngqura’s lists note these as “WB … HRS ADDED”; Cape Town’s note “Windbound”. We pick these up and move your dates.
Free storage is not the line’s free time
Your shipping line counts its own free time and charges demurrage after it. The two can end on different days. See demurrage, explained.