Chassis Split
A Chassis Split occurs when a shipping container and its chassis (the trailer frame used to haul containers) are located at two different depots. This means the trucker must go to one depot to pick up or return the chassis and another depot pick up or return the container, resulting in extra time and coordination. Multiple chassis splits can occur per container.
How to Manage Chassis Split Charges:
Plan ahead: Build a buffer into your logistics budget specifically for accessorial charges, including potential chassis splits.
Understand Carrier Policies: Different carriers or drayage providers may charge different rates — or may be more prone to chassis splits based on their network.
Track and Categorize Charges: Keep a detailed log of accessorials — especially unexpected ones like chassis splits. This helps refine future budgets and makes it easier to negotiate or challenge inaccurate charges.
Who Charges?
The trucking company or drayage provider typically charges a Chassis Split Fee to cover the extra time and mileage required to retrieve the chassis from a separate location.
Demurrage
Demurrage is the charge applied when a container stays beyond the allowed free time at a port or terminal, usually after arrival, waiting to be picked up. It’s essentially a penalty for delayed pickup. Depending on the port and ocean carrier combination, sometimes the port/terminal will charge ‘storage’ and the shipping line will charge ‘demurrage’.
Who Charges?
The port or terminal or ocean line charges the Demurrage Fee, and it’s typically billed to the importer, consignee, or freight forwarder.
How to Manage Demurrage Charges:
Pick up containers promptly: Once cargo is available, plan to clear it as soon as possible.
Monitor free time: Keep track of the free time window at the terminal to avoid penalties.
Negotiate extended free time: If you're a frequent shipper, some terminals may offer extended free days.
Destination Terminal Handling Charge
The Destination Terminal Handling Charge (THC) is a fee charged by the destination terminal for handling the container once it arrives at the port or rail yard. It covers the costs of unloading, storage, and handling the cargo at the destination.
Who Charges?
The port or terminal operator charges the THC to the shipping line, and it is usually passed on to the importer or consignee.
How to Manage Destination Terminal Handling Charges:
Understand port fees: Know what THCs apply at your destination terminal and factor them into shipping costs.
Plan for prompt pickup: Delay in clearing the cargo can result in additional storage or demurrage fees.
Detention
Detention refers to charges incurred when a trucker is kept waiting too long at a facility (like a warehouse, port, or rail terminal) before they can load or unload a container. Most carriers allow a certain amount of "free time" (often 1–2 hours) before billing extra.
Detention can also refer to “per diem” charges assessed by a shipping line for exceeding daily free time allowance with a container – that is beyond the scope of this article.
Who Charges?
The trucking company charges Detention Fees to cover driver time, equipment use, and schedule disruption. These fees are typically passed to the importer, exporter, or consignee—whoever is responsible for hiring the trucking company.
How to Manage Detention Charges:
Prepare in advance: Have the container ready to load/unload upon arrival.
Book appointments: Use time slots at busy warehouses to avoid long waits.
Communicate delays early: Let your drayage provider know if something’s holding up operations.
Review contracts: Some shippers negotiate longer free time windows for frequent shipments.
Drop & Pick
Who Charges?
The trucking company may charge a Drop & Pick Fee if:
They’re making two trips (no other containers available at that time).
They’re using chassis longer than a typical live unload.
There’s more coordination and equipment involved.
The fee is typically passed on to the cargo owner, importer/exporter, or forwarder.
A Drop & Pick (Drop & Pull) is when a trucker drops off a container at a facility and – hopefully -- picks up a different empty or another loaded container—without waiting for the container to be unloaded or loaded. It’s an efficient way to avoid detention and keep trucks moving.
How to Manage Drop & Pick Charges:
Use Drop & Pick when facilities are slow at loading/unloading—it avoids detention fees.
Ensure space at the site to safely drop a container.
Coordinate with warehouse schedules so the container is ready for pickup when the truck returns.
Dry Run
A Dry Run is when a truck arrives at a facility but does not receive or deliver the container as planned. This may be due to terminal issues, IT failures, incorrect paperwork, missing cargo, or other issues. The trucker still charges for the service, even though the objective was not completed.
Who Charges?
The trucking company charges a Dry Run Fee to cover:
Driver time and fuel costs
Administrative handling
How to Manage Dry Run Charges:
Confirm details beforehand: Double-check delivery or pickup requirements before dispatching.
Communicate well with the receiver: Ensure they’re prepared and have the proper documentation.
Minimize errors: Proper coordination helps avoid costly dry runs.
Extra Chassis Usage
Extra Chassis Usage refers to the use of a chassis beyond the free time (usually 1–2 days) allowed by the equipment provider. If a trucker holds onto the chassis longer than the agreed time, additional daily charges are applied—similar to rental fees.
Who Charges?
The chassis provider (often a leasing company or chassis pool) charges Chassis Usage Fee, and the drayage company passes that cost on to the cargo owner or freight forwarder.
How to Manage Extra Chassis Usage Charges:
Monitor free days: Know how many free chassis days are included with your move.
Return promptly: Ensure timely return of the chassis after delivery to avoid charges.
Consolidate deliveries: Plan deliveries efficiently to minimize how long you need the chassis.
Negotiate usage terms: High-volume shippers may be able to secure better terms or extended free time.
Lay-Over
Who Charges?
The trucking company charges a Layover Fee to cover:
Driver’s time and inconvenience
Equipment idling costs
Lodging or waiting expenses
This fee is passed to the shipper, consignee, or freight forwarder
A Lay-Over occurs when a truck driver is forced to stay overnight to complete a delivery or pickup—due to great delivery distance, or because the facility isn’t ready, closed, or delayed beyond regular working hours. It adds downtime to the driver's schedule and disrupts route planning.
How to Manage Preventable Lay-Over Charges:
Confirm appointment times and operating hours with the facility ahead of time.
Avoid late-day dispatches that risk arriving after closing.
Communicate any delays early so rescheduling or pre-pull/drop options can be explored.
Work with reliable warehouses that load/unload efficiently to avoid overnight holds.
Overweight Permit – 20’
An Overweight Permit is required when a 20-foot container exceeds legal weight limits for standard road transport, usually over 36,000–38,000 lbs of cargo, depending on the state. These permits are required to legally transport heavier loads on public roads.
Who Charges?
The trucking company obtains the Overweight Permit and charges the cost to the shipper, importer, or freight forwarder.
The fee includes:
The actual permit cost (varies by state, municipality, city)
Any admin or handling fees for the extra coordination
How to Manage Overweight Permit – 20’ Charges:
Know your cargo weight: If it's pushing 36k lbs+ in a 20', expect to need a permit.
Plan ahead: Permit processing can take time, especially for multi-state moves.
Split loads if possible: To avoid permit fees, consider breaking the shipment into lighter containers.
Check state limits: Different states have different thresholds, so route planning matters.
Overweight Permit – 40'
An Overweight Permit for a 40' container is required when the loaded weight exceeds legal weight limits for road transport (typically over 40,000 lbs, but varies by state). This permit allows for transport of containers that would otherwise be considered too heavy for standard trucking routes.
Who Charges?
The trucking company obtains the Overweight Permit and charges the fee to the shipper or consignee.
The fee includes the cost of processing the permit and administrative handling.
How to Manage Overweight Permit – 40' Charges:
Check the cargo weight: If it's near or over 40k lbs, expect to need a permit.
Plan for extra time: Permit processing can take several days, so allow enough time for approval.
Consider splitting loads: If the load is too heavy, splitting it into smaller shipments can avoid the permit.
Pre-Pull
A Pre-Pull is when a container is picked up from a port or rail yard before its scheduled delivery/loading date and is temporarily stored at the trucking company’s yard. This is usually done to avoid demurrage fees, when the shipper/consignee requires an appointment or isn’t ready to receive/load the cargo yet.
Who Charges?
The trucking company charges a Pre-Pull Fee to cover the cost of early retrieval.
How to Manage Pre-Pull Charges:
Communicate delivery readiness: Let your drayage provider know in advance if there’s a delay on the receiving end.
Use pre-pull strategically: It can help avoid port congestion or last-minute delays.
Negotiate terms: If you have frequent pre-pulls, consider negotiating a flat storage rate or reduced fee.
Track free time: Monitor container free time at the port to decide whether a pre-pull makes financial sense.
Scale Ticket
A Scale Ticket is a document that verifies the weight of a truck at a weigh station or terminal scale. It’s essential for ensuring compliance with weight limits and for obtaining overweight permits.
How to Manage Scale Ticket Charges:
Get weighed at proper locations: Use approved weigh stations or terminal scales to avoid issues.
Keep track of scale tickets: They may be required for certain permits, customs clearance, or proof of compliance.
Check the weight before scheduling: If you're close to limits, arrange to weigh the cargo in advance.
Who Charges?
Weigh stations or terminals charge a scale fee to weigh containers.
This fee may be included as part of the overall shipping or handling costs.
Storage
Storage in logistics refers to fees charged when a container stays at a terminal (port, rail yard, or warehouse) beyond its allotted free time. It applies to both loaded and empty containers that aren’t moved out on time. This is also known as Port Storage or Terminal Storage.
Who Charges?
Port terminals or rail yards or trucking companies charge Storage Fees directly.
The trucking company may also add handling fees if they need to coordinate or delay pickup due to storage issues.
These fees are ultimately paid by the importer, shipper, or freight forwarder.
How to Manage Storage Charges:
Track container availability and free time closely.
Schedule pickups ASAP once containers are available for delivery.
Use pre-pulls if a receiver isn’t ready—this avoids port storage but might incur other minor fees.
Negotiate extra free time if you’re a frequent shipper or working under tight delivery conditions.
Tri-Axle Chassis Fee - 20'
A Tri-Axle Chassis is a special trailer with three axles used to safely transport overweight 20' containers (typically over 36,000–38,000 lbs). The extra axle distributes the weight better, making the load road-legal under Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.
Who Charges?
The trucking company charges a Tri-Axle Chassis Fee when this equipment is required.
The cost covers:
The rental or use of the specialized chassis
Any added wear, fuel, or logistical complexity
This fee is passed on to the shipper, importer, or forwarder.
How to Manage Tri-Axle Chassis Fee - 20' Charges:
Know when you’ll need one: For heavy 20’ containers, this is usually non-negotiable.
Bundle with overweight permits: They typically go hand-in-hand—plan and budget for both.
Check availability: Not all ports/terminals have tri-axles ready; advance notice helps.
Avoid if possible: Split cargo into multiple shipments if cost or availability is an issue.
Stay Ahead of Unexpected Costs
Communicate with Juno regularly to stay informed about any potential additional fees.
Budget for possible storage charges upfront to avoid any surprises down the line.
Questions? Contact Us Today!
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