Cost structure / standard tiers
CY storage fees are typically lower per day than terminal demurrage but accrue on top of drayage costs already incurred to move the container off-dock.
| Fee Component | Basis | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| CY storage (first free period) | Per day, often 1-2 free days | $0 (included) |
| CY storage (after free period) | Per day | $35-75/day per container |
| Pre-pull drayage move (terminal to CY) | Per container | $100-200 |
| Final delivery drayage move (CY to consignee) | Per container | $150-350 depending on distance |
| Chassis per diem during CY dwell | Per day | $25-35/day |
A pre-pull only makes economic sense once CY storage plus drayage costs are lower than the demurrage rate that would otherwise accrue at the terminal — generally for stays beyond 1-2 days.
Risk mitigation / operational guidance
Calculate the breakeven point before pre-pulling: if terminal demurrage is running at $150-250/day and CY storage plus chassis per diem totals $60-110/day combined, a pre-pull typically pays for itself after roughly 1-2 days of avoided demurrage, even accounting for the drayage move cost. For very short delays (1-2 days past the Last Free Day), paying limited demurrage may be simpler than arranging a pre-pull. Confirm the CY facility's own free-time window and per diem schedule before committing — these terms vary by operator and are not standardized like terminal demurrage tariffs. Track containers held at off-dock yards with the same urgency as terminal containers, since CY storage and chassis per diem compound daily and are easy to lose track of once a container is "off the clock" for demurrage purposes.