Question 1

How are drayage rates calculated?

Accepted Answer

Door-to-door drayage pricing typically includes base line-haul (terminal ↔ door ↔ terminal), fuel surcharge, chassis (if used), and accessorials like pre-pull, drop & pick/bobtail, detention, chassis split, overweight permits, gate appointment fees, and special handling when required.

Question 2

What information do you need to quote quickly?

Accepted Answer

Container number (if available), size/type, steamship line or rail bill, pickup/return terminal, delivery address with dock hours and contact, pickup/delivery date(s), appointment needs, and special notes (overweight, floor load, lumper, liftgate, residential/limited access), plus whether pre-pull or storage is required.

Question 3

What typically drives price up or down?

Accepted Answer

Distance and time, chassis availability, appointment constraints, congestion/terminal dwell, overweight permits/special chassis, residential/limited access sites, and multi-stop routing.

Question 4

Do you offer volume or lane pricing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For recurring volumes on specific lanes we can structure contract rates with agreed accessorial schedules.

Question 5

What is free time and LFD?

Accepted Answer

Free time is how long a container can remain at the terminal without demurrage. Last Free Day (LFD) is the final day before demurrage starts; it varies by line, port, and equipment.

Question 6

How fast can you pull a box?

Accepted Answer

Same-day and next-day options are often available, subject to terminal hours, holds, appointments, and capacity. If a box is approaching LFD, consider a pre-pull to stop demurrage.

Question 7

What causes delays or missed picks?

Accepted Answer

Common blockers include customs/line holds, unpaid fees, terminal closures, appointment shortages, overweight routing, and warehouse congestion.

Question 8

How can I minimize detention at the dock?

Accepted Answer

Share accurate dock hours, staffing, and unload expectations; stage manpower, pallets, and equipment. If unload exceeds typical free time, consider drop & pick.

Question 9

What is a chassis split?

Accepted Answer

A fee when the chassis must be sourced from a different location than the container pickup, adding time and miles.

Question 10

What is terminal demurrage?

Accepted Answer

Charges from the terminal after LFD if a box remains on terminal; avoid with pre-pull or by clearing holds quickly.

Question 11

What is a pre-pull?

Accepted Answer

Pulling a box early to stop demurrage and staging it securely for timed delivery.

Question 12

What is a dry run?

Accepted Answer

A charge when a scheduled pickup/delivery cannot occur (freight not ready, appointment missed, hold not removed).

Question 13

What is a drop & pick (bobtail)?

Accepted Answer

Drop the loaded box for later unload and return for the empty/remove equipment; useful to avoid detention and match dock staffing.

Question 14

When is liftgate service required?

Accepted Answer

When a dock isn’t available and cargo can’t be hand-unloaded safely—typically for heavy items.

Question 15

What is a lumper fee?

Accepted Answer

Third-party labor for floor-loaded cargo; receipts are attached to the invoice.

Question 16

What qualifies as residential/limited access?

Accepted Answer

Deliveries to residences or locations with access constraints (gates, tight roads, special equipment) or strict time windows.

Question 17

What is the overweight fee?

Accepted Answer

Overweight moves require a certified scale ticket and may require special chassis and state permits.

Question 18

What is an additional stop?

Accepted Answer

A shipment with multiple delivery points on one trip is billed per extra location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rates & Quotes

How are drayage rates calculated?

What information do you need to quote quickly?

What typically drives price up or down?

Do you offer volume or lane pricing?

Timing, Free Time & Appointments

What is “free time” and LFD?

How fast can you pull a box?

What causes delays or missed picks?

How can I minimize detention at the dock?

Accessorials & Common Fees

Chassis Split

Detention (at shipper/consignee)

Demurrage (terminal)

Drop & Pick (Bobtail)

Pre-Pull

Dry Run

Additional Fees & Special Cases

Liftgate Service

Lumper / Hand Unload

Residential / Limited Access

Overweight

Additional Stops

Reconsignment / Redelivery