WHAT IS DRAYAGE SHIPPING?

What is Drayage? 

Drayage is the transportation of a shipping container via a special truck chassis. This move typically occurs from a port or rail terminal to a consignee a consignee. Dray loads tend to be shorter moves, because in most cases the shipping container will need to be returned back to the port or rail terminal. And unless you have product to export, the containers usually are brought back empty.  

How are drayage carriers and drivers different? 

Drayage carriers have the equipment needed to move shipping containers. There are additional steps and certifications drayage carriers need to have and some additional fees, however, these moves are more regionalized typically meaning the driver makes it home each night.   

• Step 1: Get a Motor Carrier Number:  https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/get-mc-number-authority-operate  
• Step 2: Obtain a SCAC Code: https://secure.nmfta.org/New/Introduction.aspx  
• Step 3: Get a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card – https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic 
• Step 4: Sign up w/ UIIA – https://www.uiia.org/

To learn the steps to become a dray carrier, click here.  

How Does Drayage Work? 

When a container is brought into a port, there are a number of steps that need to be taken to help it enter commerce in a new country. Customs paperwork needs to be filed with the government, the product may need to be inspected. Once the container has cleared customs, then the clock starts ticking. 

• Each container has a “last free day” (LFD), which is the last day the container can sit in the yard before there are storage charges. After that, the shipper could be charged detention (“rent” for keeping a container beyond the free day) or demurrage (charges applied for storing the container at the terminal beyond its free day. Why Partner with NTG for Your Drayage Needs?

NTG offers a wide range of services and solutions to meet your needs. Our experienced staff is available 24/7 to assist you with all aspects from monitoring your container via steamship lines (SSLs) to ensuring proper invoicing and payment of additional fees.  

We have experience working with ports around the U.S. and the nuances of each port. 

For drivers, we have chassis and other equipment programs to help provide additional drayage options.

For shippers, we have you covered too. Click here to get a drayage quote today!