Charleston drayage FAQ
Answers to what people actually ask.
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Common questions
Charleston drayage FAQ
What is drayage?
Drayage is the short-distance trucking of an ocean shipping container — most often between a port terminal and a nearby warehouse, transload, or rail yard. The word originally referred to a 'dray,' a heavy cart used to haul goods over short distances. Today, drayage describes the trucking layer that moves ocean containers off the port (or back to it).
Why should I use a Charleston-based drayage carrier instead of a national one?
National drayage carriers can move volume but tend to be slower on accessorial transparency and slower on communication. A local Charleston carrier knows the gates, the chassis pools, the specific terminal quirks, and answers the phone. For predictable, recurring volume out of SCPA, local usually wins on operational quality even when the rate is similar.
Which SCPA terminals do you cover?
All three SCPA container terminals: Wando Welch (USCHA), North Charleston (USNCH), and Hugh Leatherman (USCHL). Plus Columbus Street (USCST) for breakbulk and RoRo when needed.
Which Charleston terminal will my container come into?
The terminal is set by the steamship line and SCPA based on the vessel and that voyage's rotation — Wando Welch, North Charleston, or Hugh Leatherman. It's printed on your arrival notice and visible in the SCPA Container Availability tool once the vessel cuts. Send us the booking or container number and we'll pull it, confirm the terminal, and tell you when it's released.
Can you cross-tow a container between Charleston terminals?
Yes. When an empty needs to return to a depot tied to a different chassis pool, or an export gets cut to the wrong terminal, we move it inter-terminal and quote the cross-tow as a single line item — no surprise accessorials.
How much does Charleston drayage cost?
It depends on the destination ZIP, container size, weight, and any specialty handling (reefer, OW, hazmat). Local Charleston drays are typically in the few-hundred-dollar range before accessorials. Regional drays scale with mileage. Send the booking and delivery ZIP and we'll quote it.
Do you handle reefer drayage?
Yes. Reefer drays use genset chassis, set point verified at pickup, and pre-trip inspection. Set point and supply temperature documented at delivery on the POD.
Do you handle overweight or out-of-gauge containers?
Yes. Tri-axle chassis for overweight (up to ~60,000 lb payload with state permits). Flat-rack and open-top equipment for OOG. Permits pulled by us, billed pass-through with no markup.
Do you do hazmat drayage?
Yes, on the placard classes our drivers and equipment are cleared for. We'll need the UN# and the broker's customs declaration before quoting. We document the full hazmat manifest and hand back a signed copy.
Can you pre-pull a container to avoid demurrage?
Yes. When free time is tight or your dock isn't ready, we pull the container off the terminal, stage it at our yard, and deliver later. Pre-pull, daily storage, and final delivery are quoted as a single package so you can compare it against demurrage exposure.
How do you handle chassis split fees?
We try to route to the depot that holds the chassis pool tied to your steamship line, eliminating the split. When a split has to happen, we quote it up front.
What's the difference between demurrage, detention, and per diem?
Demurrage is what SCPA charges when a loaded container sits on the terminal past free time. Detention is what the steamship line charges when their container is held outside their terminal too long. Per diem is the daily rental fee for the chassis. They're three separate clocks; we track all of them.
How fast can you turn a quote?
Inside an hour during business hours, off a complete request. After hours, by the next business morning. Faster on simple local moves where the booking and terminal are already known.
How fast can you pick up a container?
Same-day pickup is possible if the container is released and we have the booking by mid-morning. Next-day is the norm and reliable. We'll be straight with you when same-day isn't realistic.
How do you communicate during a move?
Daily morning ETA updates while in transit. Inbound text or email when the driver is en route to the consignee. Same-day POD scanned and emailed back, named with your reference number.
Do you support 3PL warehouse SOPs?
Yes. Container number on every comm. BOL formatted to your customer's spec. Photos at delivery if required. Door assignments honored. Tell us the SOP and we'll match it.
Can you set up recurring weekly drayage?
Yes. Recurring volume gets faster quotes, equipment commitment, and standardized handling. Email Greg directly to talk through the arrangement.
Do you provide tracking?
GPS-tracked equipment, daily ETA updates, and ad-hoc status checks any time you ask. We can also output container status to email, EDI, or a TMS feed if your operation needs it.
What payment terms do you offer?
Standard net terms for established customers; new customers typically start on prepay or COD until we have a relationship. Monthly invoicing with line-item detail available for recurring volume.
Are you bonded and insured?
Yes. Cargo liability coverage, motor carrier liability, and customs bonds where applicable. Certificates available on request.