In practice: standard free days vary by carrier, port, container type and contract, and extra days can sometimes be agreed at booking. Get them in writing on the quote, never verbally. Ask whether the days are calendar or working days, whether demurrage and detention are counted separately or combined, and which events start and stop each clock.

Example: a quote states “10 days combined free time at Jebel Ali, calendar days, from discharge”. The case file shows the discharge date, the last free day and a countdown that turns red three days before it ends, so the importer has time to finish clearance and return the empty.