What is drayage in shipping?
On an import, the drayage carrier collects the loaded container once it is released, which usually means freight paid, customs cleared, a delivery order issued and, at busy ports, a terminal appointment booked. It delivers the box on a chassis to the consignee for unloading, then returns the empty to the depot the line names. On an export, the same steps run in reverse.
Drayage is mainly a North American term; elsewhere the same leg is called container haulage, pre-carriage or on-carriage. It differs from FTL trucking, where cargo travels long distances in the trucker's own trailer. When the shipping line arranges the trucking it is carrier haulage; when the cargo owner or forwarder arranges it, it is merchant haulage.
Drayage timing decides demurrage and detention: a late pickup triggers demurrage, and a slow empty return triggers detention. Truckers bill accessorials for chassis rental, waiting time, pre-pulls to their yard before free time ends, and yard storage. Heavy containers may need a tri-axle chassis or a permit. Agree whether the driver waits for a live unload or drops the box and returns for it later.