Border Holds, Detention, and Wharf Storage Charges: A Transitainer Perspective

Transitainer continues to work closely with customers impacted by ongoing Australian Border Force (ABF) Border Holds, particularly through Sydney, with flow-on effects now evident across multiple Australian ports.

While Border Holds play an essential role in maintaining border and biosecurity integrity, prolonged regulatory delays are creating significant unintended cost exposure for importers — particularly in relation to container detention, empty container returns, and terminal storage fees.

Why Border Holds Create Detention and Storage Exposure

When a container is placed on ABF Border Hold, it cannot be collected, delivered, unpacked, or cleared until the hold is lifted. During this period:

• The container is effectively immobilised under government control.
• Importers and Transitainer have no ability to unpack the cargo; and
• Empty containers cannot be returned to the nominated depot.

Despite this, shipping lines continue to enforce standard detention conditions. If the empty container is not returned by the carrier’s due date, a detention fee is charged for each additional day the container remains outstanding. In practical terms, this means importers can incur detention charges even though they have had no ability to return the container within the required timeframe.

At DP World Port Botany, ABF Border Holds are also driving exceptionally high wharf storage charges. Containers held for 10 days or more — and in some cases over 30 days — are triggering invoices well into five figures, with some exceeding $30,000 per container. These charges occur even where delays are entirely outside the control of importers.

When Detention and Storage Charges Become a Penalty, Not an Incentive

Detention and storage fees are intended to encourage the timely return of equipment and support supply chain efficiency. However, where Border Holds prevent unpacking, delivery, or container return, that purpose is no longer met:

• Detention does not incentivise behaviour;
• Compliance with return timeframes is impossible; and
• Charges function as a penalty applied regardless of fault or control.

While some terminals provide limited storage relief under regulatory delay scenarios, this is not automatic. For example, DP World storage waivers under the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS) are only applied where containers meet ABF and terminal tagging requirements. Containers that do not meet these criteria — even if held entirely due to ABF intervention — may not qualify for relief.

Industry Acknowledgement of the Issue

Industry bodies and regulators — both in Australia and internationally — have repeatedly raised concerns about detention and storage fees being applied in situations beyond the control of cargo owners.

Following advocacy by Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA), ABF issued an official update in January 2026 acknowledging the scale and impact of current Border Hold delays.

Read more: Border Holds – Official ABF Update (14 January 2026)

While this provides useful transparency, importers still face the commercial reality of detention and storage exposure while containers remain immobilised by Border Holds.

What This Means for Transitainer Customers

From Transitainer’s perspective, the current environment is creating:

• Prolonged delays in the release, delivery, and unpacking of containers.
• Detention charges accruing immediately once free time expires; and
• Significant wharf storage charges where ABF holds extend beyond terminal free time.

These issues disproportionately affect small and medium-sized importers, who often have limited ability to absorb unexpected costs.

How Importers Can Manage Risk

Transitainer strongly encourages customers to take proactive steps to reduce exposure:

• Submit customs documentation early: Ensure all required customs documentation is provided to Transitainer well before vessel arrival. Early, accurate, and complete documentation supports timely customs clearance and reduces the risk of ABF Border Holds, while also assisting with managing wharf free time.
• Respond promptly: Any requests from Transitainer’s customs department must be addressed immediately to prevent further delays once a Border Hold is applied or clearance is underway.
• Request additional free time: Where shipments are moving under CIF or CFR terms, importers should request additional free time from the shipping line in advance to help offset potential delays associated with ABF intervention.

The Industry Approach Being Sought

Transitainer supports calls for a fair and proportionate approach to detention and storage charges in Border Hold scenarios. The principle is simple:

Where government border or biosecurity intervention prevents containers from being accessed, returned, or delivered, detention and storage charges should be suspended for the duration of that intervention.

This principle aligns with international regulatory guidance and is being actively discussed with shipping lines, state authorities, and federal agencies.

Transitainer Ongoing Support

Transitainer will continue to monitor developments and work closely with affected customers, shipping lines, transport operators, and customs brokers. While we cannot control ABF actions or terminal policies, proactive escalation and early engagement remain the most effective ways to reduce exposure.

If your container is subject to an ABF hold or you have concerns about upcoming shipments, reach out to your Transitainer representative — we’re here to help you navigate this challenging environment.

✅ Key Takeaways:

• ABF Border Holds can trigger detention and wharf storage charges even when delays are out of the importer’s control.
• Early customs clearance and proactive engagement with Transitainer are critical risk management steps.
• Industry advocacy is ongoing to ensure detention and storage charges are fair when government intervention occurs.