Cost structure / standard tiers
Chassis pool costs are billed per use (per diem) and passed through to shippers as a line item on drayage invoices, separate from the trucking rate itself.
| Fee Component | Basis | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Chassis per diem | Per day of use | $25-35/day |
| Chassis split fee (if sourced separately from container) | Per move | $35-75/move |
| Damage/maintenance assessment | Per incident | $100-500+ depending on damage |
| Pool administration fee | Per transaction | $5-15/move |
| Out-of-service chassis substitution delay | Time cost | 1-4 hours typical wait for swap |
Per diem charges continue to accrue for every day the chassis is out of the pool, including weekends, regardless of whether the container itself is moving.
Risk mitigation / operational guidance
Inspect chassis at pickup (tires, brakes, lights, lock pins) and document any pre-existing damage with photos and a timestamped report, since damage assessments are often disputed after the fact. Where possible, use drop-and-hook arrangements that allow drivers to swap chassis at the yard rather than waiting on-terminal for a roadworthy unit, reducing both per diem exposure and driver idle time. Track chassis return timing as closely as container return timing — a chassis held past its allotted window accrues per diem even if the container itself has already been returned. During known peak periods, build in buffer time for chassis substitution delays when scheduling delivery appointments, since pool availability tightens predictably with import surges.