Charleston, SC drayage
Drayage for shippers who'd rather call the carrier directly.
Some importers and exporters work through a forwarder or 3PL. Some prefer to deal directly with the drayage carrier. Cate Freight handles both — but we're particularly good for direct shippers who want operational visibility, no broker layer in the way, and a single dispatcher who knows their account.
What direct shippers get with Cate Freight
- One dispatcher per account. The person who quoted is the person who runs the move.
- Quote inside the hour. Business hours. Off-hours, by next morning.
- Operational visibility. Where the container is, when it's gating, when it's delivering — all in one email thread.
- Direct customs broker handoff. If you have a broker, we'll work directly with them on release timing.
- Honest accessorials. Chassis, fuel, OW permits — quoted up front, no surprise lines.
Setting up a recurring drayage relationship
If you're moving Charleston volume every week, set up a standing dispatch arrangement and you'll get:
- Faster quotes (we already know your typical fields)
- Equipment commitment for steady drop-and-hook flows
- Standardized POD format matched to your records system
- One monthly invoice with line-item detail
- A direct line to dispatch — not a routing tree
Common questions
Charleston drayage FAQ
Do you work with direct importers without a freight forwarder?
Yes. Many of our customers are direct importers and exporters. The dispatch process is the same — booking, release check, terminal appointment, delivery — minus the forwarder layer.
Can you handle our customs broker handoff for us?
Yes. Tell us your broker's contact details and we'll work the release-status piece directly with them.
Can we set up recurring weekly drayage with Cate Freight?
Absolutely. Recurring volume gets faster quotes, equipment commitment, and standardized handling. Tell us your typical move profile and we'll structure the arrangement.
Do you offer monthly invoicing with line-item detail?
Yes. Monthly aging by reference, with chassis, fuel, accessorial, and detention broken out so AP and your customs broker can audit cleanly.