Trucking Fee / Drayage

Trucking Fee / Drayage refers to the cost incurred for short-distance transportation by container truck or trailer in foreign trade and logistics, moving goods between ports, yards, airports, or rail stations and factories or warehouses, or vice versa. Usage scenarios include: import drayage from port to consignee's warehouse, export trucking from factory to port, inter-terminal transfers (e.g., from yard to wharf), etc. Notes: Trucking fees are usually not included in basic ocean freight or air freight and must be confirmed separately; fees may vary due to distance, waiting time, fuel surcharges, peak season surcharges, overweight, or special handling; 'Drayage' is more commonly used in North America, specifically referring to short-distance container transport, while 'Trucking Fee' has a broader scope and can cover general trucking. The difference from pickup fee, delivery fee, and inland freight is that trucking fee emphasizes the short-haul movement using trailers/container trucks between ports and inland points, and is often listed separately from terminal handling charges and customs clearance fees. Foreign trade practitioners should specify in contracts the responsible party for trucking fees, the billing method (per container, per trip, or per kilometer), and surcharge terms to avoid hidden costs.