Transportation

Dwell Time

The amount of time cargo or equipment stays at a facility before moving onward.

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Updated 2025-10-01

Definition

Dwell time measures delays at warehouses, ports, or depots and is key to assessing supply chain efficiency.

Overview

Overview

High dwell times indicate inefficiencies and can increase costs due to congestion and idle equipment.

Causes

  • Customs clearance delays
  • Loading/unloading inefficiencies
  • Storage bottlenecks

Example

A container waits at a port for 5 days before customs release, representing dwell time in port operations.

Tags

#Dwell Time#Logistics#Warehouse Operations#Supply Chain

Related Terms

Dock Scheduling
Inbound Logistics
Outbound Logistics