Container Drayage Glossary: 30 Terms Every Miami Importer Should Know

Container Drayage Glossary: 30 Terms Every Importer Should Know

New to container drayage? The industry has its own vocabulary. Here are the essential terms you’ll encounter when importing through PortMiami and Port Everglades.

Port and Terminal Terms

TEU: Twenty-foot equivalent unit — the standard container measurement. FEU: Forty-foot equivalent unit. Terminal: The specific area within a port where containers are stored and handled. Berth: The dock where a vessel ties up to load/unload. Gate: The entrance/exit point for trucks at the terminal. Turn time: Total time a truck spends inside the terminal.

Drayage Operations Terms

Chassis: The wheeled frame that carries a container over the road. Genset: Generator set that powers reefer container refrigeration during transport. TWIC: Transportation Worker Identification Credential required for port access. Pre-pull: Removing a container from the terminal before the delivery date. Live load: Driver waits during unloading. Drop and hook: Driver leaves the container and picks up later.

Cost and Fee Terms

Demurrage: Fee for leaving a container at the terminal beyond free time. Detention: Fee for keeping a container and chassis beyond free time after port departure. Per diem: Daily charge for container use. Accessorial: Additional charges beyond the base drayage rate. Fuel surcharge: Variable fee tied to diesel prices.

Documentation Terms

BOL/B/L: Bill of Lading — master shipping document. DO: Delivery Order — authorization to pick up a container. POD: Proof of Delivery. EIR: Equipment Interchange Receipt — documents container condition. ISF: Importer Security Filing (10+2) — required 24 hours before vessel loading.

Need Help Navigating Drayage?

Go Freight makes container drayage simple — even if you’re new to importing. Our team handles the complexity so you don’t have to.