Drayage and Port Service
Cargo that is imported to or exported from to the United States must pass through a port. Each port has criteria in place for how cargo is handled at that port and what is needed to retrieve the cargo. How the cargo arrives to the port can vary based on the type of cargo. Cargo can be containerized, RoRo (Roll On Roll Off) or Breakbulk.
Drayage refers to containerized cargo being transported by truck to it’s final destination. Unless the container is a shipper owned container, meaning the cargo owner also owns the container, the container will need to be pulled out of the port, taken to the delivery location, unloaded and then the container must go back to the port. Each container is assigned a LFD (Last Free Day). When a container arrives to the port, it must clear customs before becoming available for pick up. Once a container is available for pick up, there is a set number of days the cargo owner has to retrieve the container from the port before the port and ship line will begin to charge demurrage. Working with a transportation provider that is experienced in drayage and port procedures reduces the risk that you will be responsible for additional port fees. Ports will charge a variety of extra fees that you may not be expecting or prepared for. Some fees, such as X-ray fees, are out of the cargo owners control. Customs may flag a container for additional inspection such as an X-Ray and the cargo owern is responsible for those fees. Demurrage is an additional fee that can be avoided with proper planning. Demurrage acrues daily and can be extremely costly to the cargo owner with fees increasing each day the container remains at the port past the LFD. It is critical that arrangements are made in advance for the drayage to ensure your container is picked up from the port in a timely manner. Many ports require an appointment to pick up a container. Depending on the volume of containers at the port your cargo is at, appointments can be limited. If the appointment is not made in a timely manner, the next available appointment may be after your LFD.
Chosing a transportation provider well versed in drayage and port service significantly reduces the chances that you will incur demurrage charges. Our vast knowlege of the port proceeses and years of experience handling port shipments allows us to efficently arrange drayage shipments.
Our port service also includes breakbulk shipments. Breakbulk shipments originate from a port but are not containerized. These shipments will also have a Last Free Day (LFD) and depending on the port, may or may not require an appointment. Machinery is typically considered breakbulk as well as a varitey of other commodities that are not containerized.
Navigating import/export drayage and port shipments can be complex and even confusing to anyone unfamiliar with the terminology and the processes. We are happy to walk our customers through every step and ensure your shipment is stressfree. Knowledge and experience makes the difference between a having a stressfree shipment and having a container stuck at the port incuring daily fees. We provide the knowledge and experience necessary for a stressfree shipment.
