Charleston, SC drayage
Drayage that respects the customs file.
Customs brokers spend a lot of time fixing problems caused by drayage carriers who didn't wait for the release. Cate Freight is the opposite — we don't dispatch until 1C is on file, freight is released, and line holds are lifted. Boring, predictable, and exactly what your importer customers need.
How we coordinate with your customs entry
- 1C verification before dispatch. No truck rolls until customs release is in. Period.
- Direct broker contact. If you're our customer's broker we'll deal directly with you on release timing and any exam issues.
- Hold awareness. Freight holds, line holds, demurrage holds — we check before sending the driver to the gate.
- EIR back to you. Equipment Interchange Receipt back the same day so your file closes cleanly.
What we won't do
- Pretend release is in when it isn't to take the move
- Run on a "we'll deal with it at the gate" basis
- Hand the importer a sloppy file your team has to clean up
Exam (CET, MET) handling
If a container is selected for exam, we route it to the assigned facility, capture the EIR, and coordinate the post-exam pickup so demurrage exposure stays bounded. We'll also notify you immediately so the file can be flagged on your side.
Common questions
Charleston drayage FAQ
Will you wait for customs release before dispatching?
Always. We don't run dry. If 1C isn't in, we don't put a truck on it.
Can you handle CET / MET exams?
Yes. We route to the assigned exam facility, capture the EIR, and coordinate the post-exam pickup.
Will you communicate directly with us as the broker?
Yes. If your importer asks us to coordinate with their broker, we'll work the release-status piece directly with you. EIR comes back same day.
How do you handle a hold we didn't see coming?
We check freight, customs, and line holds before dispatch. If something appears between our check and the gate, the driver waits or returns dry — billed as a dry-run accessorial — and we work the hold with you before the next attempt.