CPIM Practice Exam 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Detention charges are incurred when a carrier is unable to move a truck or trailer within the specified time for loading or unloading. This typically happens when shippers or receivers take longer than agreed to process the cargo, which can disrupt the logistics flow and lead to delays in subsequent deliveries. Keeping truck trailers beyond the allotted time results in increased costs for the carrier, who must then charge these fees to compensate for the additional time that the vehicle is out of circulation.

The other options do not directly relate to the concept of detention charges. Excessive weight may lead to additional fees related to shipping logistics and regulations, but it doesn’t trigger detention charges specifically. The number of pickups is tied to operational efficiency and scheduling but doesn’t affect the detention time of a particular shipment. Lastly, the payment method is more related to the transactional aspect of freight costs rather than charges incurred due to prolonged loading or unloading times.