Pre-Pull Fee
What Is a Pre-Pull Fee?
A pre-pull fee is a charge for pulling a full container load (FCL) container from a port or terminal and holding it at a trucking yard before the planned delivery. The container leaves the terminal earlier than the delivery appointment, but it is not delivered to the final address yet.
The fee covers the extra drayage move that makes this early pickup possible. It may also be billed with yard storage, chassis use, or a second delivery move, depending on the quote.
A pre-pull is often used when terminal free time is close to expiring and the receiver cannot accept the container yet. Moving the box to a trucking yard can reduce the risk of terminal demurrage while delivery is rescheduled.
The charge is commercial, not a customs penalty or a terminal handling charge. It should appear as its own line item when it is not included in the original drayage quote.
When Does a Pre-Pull Fee Apply?
A pre-pull fee applies when the container has to leave the terminal before the normal delivery schedule. Common situations include:
| Situation | Why a pre-pull is used |
|---|---|
| The receiver is not ready | The warehouse, factory, or store cannot accept the container before terminal free time ends. |
| Pickup capacity is uncertain | The drayage company cannot secure a reliable appointment before the storage deadline. |
| A holiday or weekend is coming | The terminal or receiver will be closed before the next practical delivery time. |
| Delivery is planned for later | The importer wants the box removed from the terminal and held nearby until the agreed delivery date. |
A pre-pull does not replace customs release or a delivery order. The container still has to be cleared and available for pickup before the move can take place.
Once the container is at the yard, the drayage company may charge storage after an agreed free period. The quote should state how many yard days are included and what applies after that period.
Who Pays a Pre-Pull Fee?
The party that requests the early pickup normally pays the pre-pull fee. In an import shipment, this is usually the importer, consignee, or the forwarder acting for that customer.
The charge is commonly quoted per container. The amount varies by port, terminal, trucking distance, appointment availability, container size, and the time the container stays at the yard. There is no single national or global rate.
If the drayage company arranges a pre-pull for its own operating needs, the commercial agreement determines who pays. Ask who authorized the move before it takes place, especially when the terminal deadline is close.
A complete quote should separate the terminal pickup, yard storage, chassis use, and later delivery move. A low pre-pull rate can become more expensive if storage is billed separately.
How a Pre-Pull Fee Differs from Other Charges
A pre-pull fee pays for an early truck move. It is not the same as the time-based charges that apply at the terminal or to the container.
| Charge | What it pays for | How it relates to a pre-pull |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-pull fee | The drayage move from the terminal to a holding yard before delivery. | Charged when the early pickup is requested or used. |
| Demurrage | Terminal storage after the container’s free time ends. | A pre-pull can remove the full container before demurrage starts. |
| Detention | Time the container remains outside the terminal beyond its free period. | A pre-pull can move the container outside the terminal earlier, so confirm when the count starts and when the empty box must be returned. |
| Terminal Handling Charge | Container handling by the port terminal. | THC is separate from the drayage move and the holding yard charge. |
Before approving a pre-pull, compare the fee and yard storage against possible demurrage and delivery delays. Confirm which charges are included and when the container must leave the yard.
Quote UsPlan the Pickup Before the Clock Runs Out
Send us the port, terminal, container size, and delivery schedule. We will itemize the drayage, pre-pull, and storage charges in your quote.
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