Charleston, SC service

Import container drayage from Charleston, with the releases checked before the truck rolls.

Importing through Charleston means working three releases — customs, freight, and any line hold — and beating the demurrage clock. Cate Freight verifies all three before we put a truck on your container, then runs it to your dock, transload, or our yard if a pre-pull saves you money.

Request a quote (843) 998-7820 dispatch

The import drayage timeline at Charleston

Once a vessel discharges and SCPA releases the container at the gate, the line-up of events is:

Container available. SCPA shows the container as discharged and ready for pickup at one of the three terminals.
Customs release. Either entered ahead of arrival (most common) or filed against the in-bond. Until ABI 1C is on file, no truck rolls.
Freight release. The steamship line lifts its freight hold once payment / OBL release is in.
Line hold check. Last review for any other line hold (demurrage, exam, equipment).
Free time clock starts. SCPA Terminal Free Time begins; demurrage accrues after expiration.
Pickup, linehaul, delivery. Terminal appointment booked, container moves, POD signed.
Empty return. Per diem clock continues until empty hits the terminal or designated depot.

When a pre-pull saves you money

If your dock isn't ready when the demurrage clock is about to expire, the smart play is a pre-pull: pull the container off the terminal early, stage it at our yard, and deliver when your warehouse is free. The pre-pull stops Terminal Demurrage cold; daily yard storage replaces it at a fraction of the cost.

We quote pre-pull, daily storage, and final delivery as a single package so you can compare it to the demurrage exposure and make the call with your eyes open.

"The carrier who pre-pulls when free time is tight will save you more than the carrier with the cheapest base linehaul. Every time."

Live unload, drop & hook, or transload

Three delivery models, three different cost profiles:

Live unload. Driver waits while you unload. Best when you have a dock and a quick crew.
Drop & hook. Driver drops the container on a chassis at your facility and bobtails away. You unload on your schedule and we come back for the empty. Stops driver detention; chassis per diem applies.
Transload. Container delivered to a transload facility, contents cross-docked onto domestic equipment, empty returned the same day. Best when the inland leg is much longer than the dray.

If you don't know which one to ask for, tell us your unload speed and the destination — we'll do the math.

Information we need to start

The faster you give us this, the faster you get a number.

Booking number or MBL
Container size & type (20', 40', 40HC, reefer)
Pickup terminal — Wando Welch, North Charleston, Leatherman
Steamship line
Estimated container availability date

Delivery ZIP and address
Live unload, drop & hook, or transload
Approximate weight (and overweight Y/N)
Hazmat (UN# if yes), reefer set point if reefer
Customs broker contact, if known

Pairs well with

Other Charleston drayage services we run.

Port-to-warehouse drayage

Direct moves with appointments at both ends.

Transload coordination

Container delivery to transload yards across Charleston and Columbia.

Drayage for 3PLs

Built around how warehouse receivers actually run.

Common questions

Charleston drayage FAQ

How does demurrage work at the Port of Charleston?

SCPA Terminal Demurrage starts accruing after free time expires. Free time at SCPA is set by the steamship line and typically runs three to five days, with carve-outs for holiday 'no work days' that don't accrue. Once you're past free time, demurrage is billed by the terminal day, regardless of the cause of delay.

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 often confused; they're three separate clocks.

Can you pre-pull and store containers in Charleston?

Yes. When free time is running out and your dock isn't ready, we pull the container off the terminal early and stage it. The Terminal Demurrage clock stops; daily yard storage replaces it at a much lower cost. We quote pre-pull, storage, and delivery as a single package.

Do you handle the customs broker handoff?

Yes. We work directly with your customs broker — or in-house if you have one — to confirm 1C release before dispatch. We'll also share the container's pickup status and EIR back as soon as the gate transaction completes.

How do you handle import drayage for 3PL receivers?

We treat the 3PL like the customer. ASN-friendly arrival windows, container number on every email, BOLs named to your reference, and PODs back the day of delivery. If you have a TMS or visibility tool, we'll match its data fields.