Frequently asked questions
The questions we get most about quotes and bookings. If yours isn't here, ask in the chat on the home page or email info@quotedray.com.
Last updated 2026-10-02
Quotes
What is in a quote?
Four things, listed separately: linehaul (one price per container, fuel included), terminal and port fees (passed through at the terminal's actual charge), chassis (per day, with the minimum days stated) and the accessorial schedule (detention, pre-pull, drop, overweight and so on, charged only if they happen). We do not give an all-in price: an all-in number always hides something, and an itemized one tells you what each piece is.
Firm, indicative, pending: what's the difference?
Firm: the linehaul is binding within the validity period and you can book straight away. Indicative: we can estimate, but the lane has no recent-enough deals or quotes; we confirm with carriers before dispatch and then give a firm price. Pending: we are asking carriers now; the quote updates within hours and the quote page refreshes on its own.
How long is a quote valid?
15 days from issue by default. If the quote shows an ETA window, the price applies to containers available for pickup in that window. After that, just ask again; it takes seconds.
Can I negotiate?
No. One price: on the same lane at the same time every customer sees the same number. It is set by the market (the median of what carriers that run the lane actually charge and quote, plus a fixed platform margin), not by who bargains. We record price feedback to calibrate, but we do not change a quote because of it.
How do you pick the pickup port?
From the delivery address: we look at which port or rail ramp is near it and which carriers run the lane. Inland destinations usually move by rail to the nearest ramp and are trucked from there, so the nearest seaport is not always the pickup point. If your container is actually at another port, tell the assistant "pick up from X" and it quotes from there.
Can I quote with an Amazon FC code (like ONT8)?
Yes. Send the FC code plus container size and count; the system knows each FC's address and weight limits.
What container size and weight does a quote assume?
The size you give; weight is assumed legal (cargo up to 44,000 lbs for 40'/45', 38,000 lbs for 20'). Say so up front if it's heavier: overweight tiers and tri-axle chassis are priced in the accessorial schedule. Finding out at the terminal means a dry run and a new appointment.
Can I just send a screenshot, B/L or spreadsheet?
Yes. Drop the image or file into the chat; the system reads the address, container numbers and sizes out of it and asks you to type anything it can't read.
What is the weekly rate index?
40' linehaul ranges published every Monday for six major pickup points (LA/LB, NY/NJ, Savannah, Houston, Chicago, Dallas), one line per most-shipped city: a "roughly how much" reference. Your exact price is quoted live from your address. See the weekly rate index.
How is a quote calculated?
From four things: the pickup point, the delivery address (city / state / ZIP), road miles and container size. The linehaul is the median of what carriers that run the lane actually charge and quote, plus a fixed platform margin, so every customer sees the same number on the same lane at the same time. Lanes with solid recent data get a firm price; lanes without enough recent deals or quotes are marked indicative or pending until carriers confirm. Terminal fees, chassis, drop and detention are never blended into the linehaul: each is listed separately at the amounts in the accessorial schedule. What we publish is the weekly range, not exact prices.
How do I compare two drayage quotes?
Align the scope first: does the other quote include terminal fees (PierPass and CTF in Los Angeles, terminal fees in New York), how many chassis days, is drop charged, how much free time before detention, and who pays per diem and demurrage. Then align the assumptions: container size and weight, port or rail ramp, delivery ZIP, pre-pull, free time. Finally the status and validity: firm or estimate, valid until when. Only then can you subtract one from the other; many "cheaper" quotes simply leave chassis and terminal fees out. Ours lists every item, so check it line by line against the accessorial schedule. We don't comment on other quotes and don't reprice to match them.
How are multiple containers or delivery addresses quoted?
Each container on each lane gets its own price and the total is the sum; more containers do not change the per-container price (one price for everyone). A container going to two addresses is a stop-off, charged per the schedule. Give the assistant every address and container at once and the quote page lists them line by line.
Which pickup port or rail ramp is closest to my address?
Send the delivery address (or ZIP, or Amazon FC code) to the assistant: it picks the pickup point by miles and by which carriers run the lane, and the quote shows which one and roughly how far. Inland destinations usually move by rail to the nearest ramp rather than from the nearest seaport: a Dallas delivery is normally picked up at the Dallas rail ramp (a local lane of a few dozen miles), not trucked 240-plus miles from Houston. The weekly rate index lists the miles for each pickup point's common destinations. Where your container actually arrives is set by the ocean carrier's arrival notice; tell the assistant and it quotes from there.
Can you pick up at an inland rail ramp, and how is it different from a port?
Yes. Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Memphis and similar are rail-ramp pickup points: the container moves inland by rail (IPI) and is trucked from the ramp to your warehouse. Compared with a port pickup there are no port terminal fees, but there may be ramp charges (listed separately on the quote); minimum chassis days follow the ramp's actual practice; appointments, free time and the last free day are set by the railroad, and storage past free time is the cargo owner's. Other accessorials (detention, drop, overweight) use the same schedule as ports.
Charges
What are terminal fees and why are they listed separately?
Fixed per-container charges by the terminal or port, such as the PierPass TMF and Clean Truck Fund in Los Angeles/Long Beach or terminal fees in New York. We pass them through at the actual amount with no markup, which is why they are shown on their own; ports with no fixed fee say so.
How is chassis charged?
Per day from pickup until the empty is returned. The quote states the daily rate and the minimum days (usually 2 at ports, actual at rail ramps). Every extra day the container sits at your warehouse is another chassis day.
How is drop priced?
By delivery address: where carriers near your address normally drop for free, it's free; otherwise the amount on the quote applies, and only if you actually drop. Drop means the driver leaves the loaded container at your warehouse and comes back later for the empty; live unload means the driver waits while you unload and takes the empty away.
Are per diem and demurrage included?
No. Per diem is charged by the ocean carrier for each day the container is out beyond free time; demurrage is charged by the terminal for the container sitting there past its free days. Both are billed by the ocean carrier or terminal to the cargo owner and are outside the drayage quote. The way to avoid them is to pick up as soon as the container is released and return the empty promptly.
How is detention charged?
When the driver waits at the warehouse beyond free time (usually 2 hours), by the hour at the rate in the accessorial schedule. With a confirmed appointment and a forklift ready, it rarely happens.
What is a pre-pull?
When the delivery appointment is tomorrow or later but the container has to leave the terminal today (free time is ending, or the terminal only has an appointment today), the driver pulls it to a yard first and delivers the next day. Pre-pull and yard storage are charged per the schedule.
Where are the accessorial schedules?
One per pickup point, as a web page and a PDF: accessorial schedules. Each quote names the version it uses, and new quotes say what changed.
Booking and execution
How do I book?
On the quote page select "View quote and book", fill in a contact and whatever container details you have (number, ETA, terminal, delivery appointment). Our operations team contacts you to confirm and arrange pickup and dispatch. Indicative and pending quotes can be booked too; we confirm a firm price before dispatch.
Who actually moves the container?
A contracted US motor carrier. QuoteDray is operated by Annie Summer, a freight broker; we do not own trucks. We price the move, arrange the carrier and handle billing; the carrier is responsible for the transportation and the cargo. Carrier identity is available on request after booking.
What do I need to have ready?
Container number, ocean carrier, pickup terminal, ETA and last free day, cargo weight, delivery address and appointment, an on-site contact; for hazmat, the classification and documents. The container must be released by the ocean carrier and customs before pickup.
How are shipper-owned containers (SOC) delivered?
SOC moves are usually one-way: the container is lifted off at delivery and the driver returns with the chassis, no empty return. That is priced differently from live or drop (usually lower), so say "SOC, no empty return" when you ask and we quote it one-way.
Can I cancel?
Before dispatch, free. After dispatch or once a carrier is assigned, the dry-run charge in the accessorial schedule applies plus any carrier costs actually incurred (pre-pull, chassis).
How do I pay?
You are invoiced after delivery, with receipts, proof of delivery and terminal records for pass-through charges and accessorials. Payment terms are on the booking confirmation or invoice.
What if cargo is damaged?
Claims go against the carrier under the Carmack Amendment (49 U.S.C. § 14706) and we help you present them; file in writing within 9 months of delivery. See the terms of service.
Can you pick up or deliver on weekends and holidays?
It depends on terminal or ramp gate hours and your warehouse appointment: many terminals have no or limited weekend gates and most are closed on holidays; a weekend delivery also needs your warehouse to receive and a driver to be available. If you need weekend or holiday work, say so when you book; we confirm with that week's carrier schedule whether it can be done and whether there is a surcharge, before dispatch, never after.
How soon after pickup is it delivered? Can I set a delivery date?
Local lanes are usually delivered the same or next day after pickup; long-haul lanes depend on miles. What really sets the date is the terminal or ramp pickup appointment, the last free day and your warehouse's receiving appointment. Put your required date in the booking and we schedule the pickup backwards from it, pre-pulling to a yard if needed (pre-pull and yard fees are in the schedule). Dates are confirmed at dispatch; terminal congestion or chassis shortages can disrupt them, and we tell you as soon as we know.
Account and platform
Why do I need an account?
Quotes and bookings are kept in your account so you can revisit, forward and book them, and it keeps bots from scraping prices in bulk. Register with an email verification code; it takes a minute.
Is the assistant a person?
At the quoting stage it is automated: it understands the request, calls the pricing engine and explains each line; every amount comes from the engine, not from the model. After you book, a person on our operations team takes over.
Who sees my information?
After booking, the carrier gets what it needs for the move; chat messages are sent to a third-party AI model API to understand your request. Details in the privacy policy.