Trucking Glossary

Short-distance container transportation between ports, rail terminals, depots, and customer warehouses.

Standardized steel box — common sizes 20', 40', 40' HC, 45'. The basic unit of ocean + drayage freight.

The wheeled frame supporting a container for road transport, separate from the container itself. It may be owned or supplied under another arrangement; confirm its pickup, return, and use requirements.

A facility where freight is loaded, unloaded, or transferred. In drayage it usually means a particular container terminal within a port; in other contexts it may be a rail or freight terminal. Knowing the port name alone is not enough to identify the facility.

A system for booking a terminal visit for pickup, return, or another transaction. Platforms, time windows, and receiving conditions vary. A confirmed appointment does not by itself mean the container is released, charges are settled, or pickup can proceed.

A TSA-issued Transportation Worker Identification Credential used for unescorted access to secure areas of facilities or vessels covered by maritime-security rules, among other required uses. It does not replace a terminal appointment or other access procedures.

In drayage, the status that required authorizations for an import container to enter the pickup process have been satisfied, often checked separately for ocean-carrier release, customs release, and other holds. “Released” does not by itself mean the box is discharged and available, an appointment exists, charges are resolved, or the gate will accept the truck.

In ocean shipping, a possible charge when a container or cargo remains at a terminal beyond allowed free time. It is common in import pickup workflows. Check free time, billed days, and the actual invoice; the term alone does not make the driver the payer.

Literally “per day.” In port workflows it commonly labels daily equipment-use charges for containers or chassis. Read the bill and terms to identify the equipment, free time, and charging period; the term alone does not identify which equipment is involved.

In road freight, a charge associated with driver or vehicle waiting at pickup or delivery. Free time, billing conditions, rates, and responsibility depend on applicable terms. In ocean shipping the word can refer to equipment use, so context matters.

Delivering one container and collecting another during a single terminal visit. Examples include returning an empty then collecting an import, or dropping an export then taking an empty. Both moves must meet the terminal’s current receiving and appointment conditions.

Free time is the period during which a container or cargo may remain at a terminal or similar facility without the applicable storage or demurrage charge. The last free day is the final day or cutoff in that period. One is a period and the other a deadline; calculation varies by terminal, carrier, cargo, and current rule.

The return of an unloaded import container to the terminal, depot, or yard currently designated and accepting it for the ocean carrier or equipment provider. The location and conditions may vary by line, size, type, date, shift, and inventory. An empty return is a different transaction from delivering a loaded export.

A terminal or depot record generated when a container, chassis, or other equipment is interchanged or processed at the gate. It commonly includes equipment identifiers, direction, time, and recorded condition or damage. It evidences the interchange but is not a release, an appointment confirmation, or conclusive proof of damage responsibility.

A customs-related hold preventing routine cargo release, distinct from terminal restrictions or a carrier's freight release.

A carrier's release status for freight-payment or commercial-document conditions; other holds may remain.

A terminal-system hold or pending restriction whose reason and release conditions must be checked with that terminal.

An identifier for a transport booking, distinct from a container number or bill-of-lading number.

An arrangement requiring a chassis move to or from a location different from the container pickup or return location; charges depend on terms.