Your drayage quote checklist.

Identify the container.

A drayage quote covers the truck move between a port or rail terminal and the receiving location. The plan also needs to account for the chassis and the empty container's return. Start with the shipping line, container size, terminal and inland delivery address.

Include the container number or booking reference when available. Our container quote form does not require those references for an initial request. Booking the move will require the shipment's release and collection details.

• Shipping line, container size and equipment type.
• Goods, cargo weight and container tare weight if known. Label the weights clearly.
• Container number and bill of lading or booking reference, when available.
• Any temperature, hazardous-material or special-handling requirements.

Check release and free time.

Vessel arrival, cargo availability and release are separate details. A container that has arrived may still be subject to a hold or a collection requirement. Give the terminal's current information when requesting the move.

The last free day is the deadline shown by the terminal or shipping line before applicable storage charges may begin. Share the deadline as provided and tell us about any known holds or appointment restrictions.

• Exact pickup port and terminal.
• Release status, known holds and availability date.
• Last free day and any terminal appointment requirements.
• Vessel arrival estimate if the container has not arrived.

Describe the receiving site.

Include the delivery address, receiving hours and appointment requirements. Say who unloads the container, what equipment is available and how much unloading time the facility expects to need.

For a live unload, the driver waits while the cargo is removed. A drop arrangement leaves the container for later collection, subject to available equipment and the agreed terms. If the receiver cannot unload a container, ask about transferring the freight into a domestic trailer.

• Receiving contact, hours and appointment or delivery reference.
• Live unload or a requested drop and collection arrangement.
• Dock access, unloading equipment and any site restrictions.
• Palletized or floor-loaded cargo, plus any transfer or storage request.

Include the empty return.

Send the shipping line's return instructions and equipment deadline. Confirm where the empty can be returned and whether an appointment is needed. A change in return location or timing can affect the truck move and chassis use.

Ask the quote to identify transport, fuel, tolls, chassis use, waiting time, storage and any requested handling. If an extra pickup or yard move is proposed, ask why it is needed and what it adds to the total.

Demurrage generally concerns time at the terminal beyond free time. Detention or per diem generally concerns carrier equipment kept outside the terminal. The applicable tariff and agreement govern the charges; use the actual pickup and return deadlines for your shipment.

Confirm before dispatch.

Review the agreed rate, pickup window, chassis requirement, unloading arrangement and empty return with the team handling your move. Identify who can approve a schedule change or additional service.

If release information or deadlines are not available yet, contact our team with the details you have. We can review what is still needed before the container move can be booked.