What’s In This Guide
An accurate drayage quote requires a complete operating picture. A pickup city and delivery ZIP code alone leave too many variables unresolved. Your provider needs to know what is moving, where the container is available, when it must move, what equipment is required, and how delivery and empty return will work.
Quick Facts
- Identify the exact marine terminal or rail ramp, move type, and delivery address.
- Share release, booking, bill of lading, and container numbers when available.
- Confirm container size, type, cargo weight, commodity, and special handling needs.
- Provide firm pickup, cutoff, appointment, receiving, and empty-return timing.
- Explain chassis, live-unload, drop, pre-pull, storage, and return requirements.
What Makes a Drayage Quote Accurate?
A drayage quote estimates the resources and charges for container drayage services between a port or rail facility and another location. Accuracy depends on details that affect distance, equipment, driver time, terminal access, and accessorial services.
The terminal, destination, and empty-return location may be in different parts of New York or New Jersey, so include each address in the request.
How to Prepare for a Drayage Quote in Six Steps
1. Define the Move and Pickup Facility
For drayage shipments, state whether the move is an import pickup, export delivery, empty move, port-to-rail transfer, or another arrangement. Provide the exact terminal or rail ramp, ocean carrier, vessel and voyage details when relevant, and final delivery address. If the container requires a customs or agricultural examination, note it because the route may include an examination site.
2. Gather Release and Reference Numbers
For imports, include the container number, bill of lading number, freight release status, and Customs release status. For exports, provide the booking number and ocean carrier. Drivers need this information before arriving at the gate. A provider can offer preliminary pricing while some fields are pending, but it may need the final identifiers before dispatch.
3. Describe the Container and Cargo
List the container size and type, such as a 20-foot dry container, 40-foot high cube, refrigerated container, open top, or flat rack. Include the loaded cargo weight and commodity. For hazardous, refrigerated, or over-dimensional freight, provide the relevant classification or documentation, temperature settings, dimensions, and handling instructions.
Cargo weight deserves special attention. New York State’s divisible load permit rules connect permitted weight to vehicle configuration and axle requirements. Accurate cargo weight helps a provider assess chassis needs, permit requirements, and routing before pricing port drayage services.
4. Map Every Timing Constraint
Share the container availability date, last free day, terminal appointment window, export vessel cutoff, requested pickup date, and delivery deadline. Include the receiver’s operating hours and any required delivery appointment. If the last free day is approaching, note whether a pre-pull or short-term storage plan may be needed. These services affect the operating plan and pricing, so they should be included in the quote.
5. Explain the Delivery Site
Provide the full street address, on-site contact, receiving hours, appointment process, and access restrictions. Note low clearances, limited truck space, lift or dock requirements, and whether the site can accept a container overnight. Specify whether delivery will be a live unload or drop-and-pick. For live unloads, estimate unloading time because extended driver wait time may result in detention charges.
6. Close the Equipment and Return Loop
State who will supply the chassis and whether a tri-axle, genset, or other equipment may be required. Identify the empty-return depot, or note that the ocean carrier has not assigned one. For a drop delivery, provide the expected retrieval time. Complete return instructions help the provider account for the full container cycle.
READ MORE: How Does Drayage Fit Into the Supply Chain?
Final Pre-Quote Checklist
Before sending your request, confirm that it includes:
- Move type, pickup facility, delivery address, and empty-return plan
- Container, booking, bill of lading, and release information
- Container size, type, cargo weight, commodity, and special handling
- Availability, last free day, cutoff, appointments, and receiving hours
- Chassis responsibility, delivery mode, unloading time, pre-pull, and storage needs
If a detail remains unknown, label it as pending and say when you expect confirmation. That helps the provider separate a preliminary estimate from a dispatch-ready quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a quote before I have a container number?
Yes. Provide the available details about the move type, terminal, delivery location, container size and type, cargo weight, timing, and booking or bill of lading. Mark the container number and release status as pending. The provider may revise or confirm pricing once the missing information is available.
Why does the exact terminal matter?
Terminal location affects mileage, gate procedures, appointment requirements, chassis access, and the empty-return plan. The Port of New York and New Jersey includes multiple facilities, so providing the exact terminal name reduces assumptions.
What information commonly changes a quote?
Changes to cargo weight, terminal, delivery appointment, chassis needs, free-time deadlines, live-unload duration, storage, pre-pull, or empty-return location can alter the planned work and related charges. Share updates as soon as they become known.
What is a pre-pull, and should I mention if I need one?
A pre-pull means retrieving the container from the terminal before its scheduled delivery and holding it temporarily at an off-terminal location. If the delivery appointment falls after the last free day or terminal timing is tight, tell the provider so the quote can account for a pre-pull.
Can additional wait time change the final drayage cost?
Yes. Extended waiting at the terminal or delivery location may result in detention or other time-based charges, depending on the provider’s terms. Sharing appointment details, unloading expectations, and known site delays helps the provider build a more accurate estimate.
Request a New York Drayage Quote
When your shipment details are ready, contact Drayage Company by Best Logistics Solutions. Send the completed checklist so the team can review the terminal, timing, equipment, delivery, and return requirements for your drayage shipments and prepare an accurate drayage quote.