Container Drayage and Empty Container Return in Miami

Container Drayage and Empty Container Return

The drayage move isn’t complete until the empty container is returned to the designated depot. At PortMiami and Port Everglades, timely empty returns are crucial to avoiding detention charges that can cost $100-$250 per day per container.

Where Do Empties Go?

Each steamship line designates specific return depots for their empties — these may be at the port terminal, an off-dock depot in Doral or Hialeah, or a chassis pool location. The return location is specified on the delivery order and can change without notice, so your drayage carrier must verify before dispatching.

Free Time for Returns

Steamship lines typically allow 4-7 days of free time for container and chassis use after the container leaves the port. This includes time at your warehouse for unloading plus the empty return trip. Exceeding this window triggers detention charges.

Strategies for Fast Returns

Schedule unloading for the day of delivery so the driver can return the empty same-day. If using drop-and-hook, pre-schedule the empty pickup. Consider transloading near the port to strip containers and return empties within hours.

Go Freight’s Empty Return Management

Go Freight tracks free-time deadlines for every container and coordinates empty returns proactively. Our drayage service includes round-trip empty return to minimize detention exposure.