What is drayage?

Drayage is the short-distance move of a shipping container between a port or rail ramp and a nearby warehouse, yard, or distribution center. It is local cartage for containers, not the long linehaul across the country. Parcel Management Group is a registered freight broker (USDOT 3266041 · MC 1030328) in Ventura, CA 93001. Call (805) 984-4114.

What drayage covers

A drayage job is a container pickup at the marine terminal or rail ramp, a short road move, and a drop at a warehouse, yard, or cross-dock. On an import, the box comes off the ship or the train and goes to a nearby building. On an export, the truck brings the loaded container back to that port or ramp so the long leg can start.

The container sits on a chassis, the frame with wheels that lets a truck haul it. The terminal often wants an appointment, a booking or pickup number, and the container number before the driver enters the gate. If the stop is a cross-dock, the freight may be transferred to another truck there. See what is cross docking.

Import and export containers usually include free time at the terminal. Free time is the window before extra equipment charges can begin. When that window runs out and the equipment is still there, or still out with the truck, demurrage or detention can start. Which name applies depends on whether the container is inside the terminal or already outside the gate. See demurrage vs detention.

Drayage vs linehaul

Drayage is the short port or ramp leg. Linehaul is the long over-the-road or intermodal move between cities. A door-to-door international shipment can include ocean, drayage, and domestic linehaul as separate legs. Each leg can be booked, billed, and timed on its own.

Who books and who pays

The shipper, the consignee, a freight forwarder, or a broker may arrange the drayage leg. Sale terms decide which party controls that booking. A forwarder often holds the plan when the move crosses a border or uses more than one mode. See what is a freight forwarder. A domestic broker may only see the truck freight that starts after the container is already at a warehouse.

Before the truck rolls, confirm who pays the chassis, waiting time at the terminal or the dock, and any after-hours work. Those items are not the linehaul rate. They follow the party named in the sale terms or in the terminal rules. Put that name in writing so the invoice does not land on the wrong desk.

What to tell your broker

Send these facts before the quote.

1. Port or ramp name.
2. Container size and number when known.
3. Warehouse or yard address and appointment rules.
4. Whether a chassis is needed.
5. Who pays wait time and accessorials.

The gate name tells the driver which entrance to use. Container size and the container number, once you have them, are how the terminal finds the box. The warehouse address and its appointment rules decide whether the driver can drop the container or must stay for a live unload. Say if the terminal will supply a chassis or the truck must bring one. Name who pays wait time and other accessorials so those lines are on the quote. See how freight quoting works and accessorial charges.

How PMG helps

PMG books domestic LTL and FTL with vetted carriers and helps shippers plan around port and ramp timing, free time, and accessorials when a container move touches domestic truck freight. PMG does not offer drayage. Quote path: /ltl-freight-quote/ · /services/.

Call (805) 984-4114 or start a chat at /#contact.

What is cross docking · Demurrage vs detention · What is a freight forwarder · How freight quoting works · Accessorial charges · LTL freight quote · Services