Charleston, SC drayage

A drayage carrier your forwarder operations can actually plan around.

Forwarders live and die by file accuracy. The drayage leg of a Charleston move is where files get sloppy: missed releases, ETAs that don't update, PODs that take three follow-ups to retrieve. Cate Freight runs the dray side cleanly so you can close the file the same day delivery happens.

What forwarders need that most carriers don't deliver

  • Release awareness. We don't just check the booking — we check freight, customs, and line holds, and we tell you when something is missing.
  • HBL/MBL tracking. File references match yours. Container number, MBL, and your HBL on every comm.
  • Predictable POD turnaround. Signed POD imaged and emailed back the day of delivery. Imaged copies named with your file reference.
  • Direct dispatcher contact. One person runs the file. You don't get bounced.
  • Honest accessorials. Chassis splits, fuel, OW permits — quoted up front. Detention pass-through. No surprise lines.

How we work with forwarder operations teams

Most forwarders we work with email a delivery order with the booking, container, MBL, and consignee. We confirm release status against the line, book the terminal appointment, schedule the delivery, and run the move. We can also pull from your TMS or operations system if you have one — give us the access spec and we'll match it.

What happens when something goes wrong

It will. Vessels are late. Releases get held up. Equipment doesn't show. The point isn't perfection; it's communication. You'll hear about it the moment we hear about it, with a recommendation rather than a question.

Related services

How this works inside Cate Freight.

Import container drayage

Releases verified before dispatch.

Read more

Export container drayage

ERD-aware scheduling and VGM coordination.

Read more

Drayage for customs brokers

Release discipline upstream of the dray.

Read more

Common questions

Charleston drayage FAQ

Will you accept delivery orders directly from our ops team?
Yes. Email or TMS, whichever your team uses. We'll match your file reference format and return PODs against it.
Can you handle multiple file references per move?
Yes. HBL, MBL, your file number, the customer's PO — give us all of them and we'll carry them through to the BOL and POD.
Do you charge accessorials we won't see coming?
No. Chassis splits and overweight permits are quoted up front. Detention is pass-through and only billed when actually triggered. You see the breakdown.
Can you support a forwarder with multiple Charleston imports per week?
Yes. Recurring forwarder volume is exactly what we're sized for. Set up a standing dispatch arrangement and you'll get faster quotes and predictable handling.

Need a container moved?

Send the booking, terminal, and delivery ZIP. We'll come back with a quote — usually inside the hour during business hours.