Cost structure / standard tiers
| Equipment Type | Typical Free Period | Per Diem Rate After Free Period |
|---|---|---|
| Standard dry container | 3-5 days (carrier-dependent) | $100-$200/day |
| Chassis (pool-leased) | Varies by pool agreement, often 1-2 days | $25-$50/day |
| Reefer container | Often shorter free period than dry | $150-$300/day |
| Overweight/specialized chassis | Negotiated per contract | $50-$100/day |
Per diem rates and free-time windows are set by the equipment owner — the ocean carrier for containers, the chassis pool operator for chassis — and are not standardized across carriers or pools, so the same drayage move can carry different per diem exposure depending on which carrier and chassis pool are involved.
Risk mitigation / operational guidance
Track container and chassis return dates separately in your drayage tracking system, since a container returned on time but with a late chassis return (or vice versa) can still generate a per diem charge on the late piece of equipment. Confirm with your drayage provider which party is contractually responsible for per diem charges caused by destination delays outside the trucker's control — appointment-system congestion at the receiving warehouse is a common cause of late equipment return that shippers, not truckers, often end up absorbing if the contract isn't explicit. When negotiating drayage rates, ask whether quoted per diem exposure assumes the carrier's standard free time or a negotiated extended free time — some carriers offer extended free time to high-volume shippers, and failing to apply for it leaves money on the table on every move.