When shipping products domestically or internationally, the failure to pick up a load on time will result in dry run fees. Under this circumstance, the carrier must make an additional trip to pick up the missed cargo, and the shipper gets charged for the extra trip.
Dry run fees are charged by carriers for the failure of a shipper to provide a load for pickup on time. This can happen as a result of miscommunication, tardiness, or a failed cargo release. Dry run fees typically cost $75-$150 per run. These fees can be charged in addition to accessorial fees, such as demurrage and detention.
Find out what precisely dry run fees are, including the unwanted side effects in our full breakdown here.
When an uncompleted load occurs in trucking, fees are added to the transaction. These dry run fees often stem from issues related to misinformation or an error in processing. When an uncompleted load occurs in trucking, a dry run fee may be added to the transaction. These fees often stem from issues related to misinformation or an error in processing. They can happen at any facility where a carrier is slated to arrive and pick up or deliver a shipment.Â
Dry runs typically occur at ocean ports, warehouses, or during drayage. Failure or inability to release cargo at any one of these pickup points can result in a dry run fee.
Related: What is Drayage? A Comprehensive Guide to First Mile Freight
The carrier tasked with picking up and transporting the cargo may charge a dry run fee when a shipment isn’t ready for pickup or delivery on schedule. Dry run fees represent a driver's gas, time, and labor.
The carrier often charges the fee due to a missed pickup or when a pickup is not ready for the arriving truck.
Shippers are more likely to incur this additional charge when they are unprepared. Missed pickups are their responsibility under these circumstances, and carriers will almost always charge a fee.
If your carrier charges this fee, there are several factors they may take into account to determine how much the fee will run.
Sample data suggests that the average cost of a dry run is between $75-$150 per run. It is also important to note that specific administrative fees may also be added to the dry run. The following factors may form part of an additional administrative charge:
If you cancel a shipment with less than 24 hours notice, a dry run fee may be assessed. In addition to that fee, the charges outlined above will generally result in accessorial charges.
The overall effect of a dry run in shipment-related issues is the increased cost. Besides the initial dry run fee, which is a direct result of an additional trip made by the carrier, every step in the shipment suffers.
Primarily, a dry run will affect the cost of shipping your cargo. A side effect of a dry run is also a natural delay in shipping. Port congestion and longer waits at distribution centers can all occur as a result.
Several strategies can help you avoid a dry run and any associated fees that may result. There are three main concepts to implement to avoid a DRF and accessorial fees.
Note that in any case, partnering with a trusted third-party logistics (3PL) provider is the best option. The main benefit of a 3PL comes from its ability to control every detail of your shipment. With internal systems, operational management, and fleet management, the reduction of potential error is greatly reduced.
Trucks do have the option of staying overnight and conducting a pre-pull to avoid an extra trip. This overnight load can keep the delivery in the timeline of the shipper.
Of course, excellent shipping management can and will save the day, helping you avoid those unwelcome dry run fees and other accessorial charges. A solid management team can help facilitate your shipment while reducing this risk.
Dealing with dry runs and their fees can be cumbersome and create significant expenses. Ocean ports can face congestion and long drayage times from such delays. Thankfully, you don’t have to go it alone.
USA Truckload Shipping is ready to provide you with best-in-class shipping solutions. Our friendly experts can get your cargo out of the port quickly and without accruing unnecessary dry run, detention, or demurrage fees.
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Call us at (866) 353-7178, or fill out a request for proposal online and let us handle your shipment with an unmatched level of service only USA Truckload Shipping can provide.
R+L Global Logistics
315 NE 14th St., Ocala, FL 34470
This is the most common issue for anyone in, or thinking about getting in, the bulk sales business. It should be totally avoidable but there are all kinds of ways that it can not be! The carrier will usually contact the warehouse the day prior to pick up but this does not at all guarantee that the carrier will be able to load. Then disputes can arise on who pays the fee. It can be a real frustrating mess. I believe the best thing to do is to get an authorized signature from the pick up facility, prior to pick up, that the pick up will occur at a certain date and time and that all paper work will be ready ALONG WITH a guarantee that if loading can not occur then the pick up facility will responsible for any fees. You need to make this absolutely clear to everyone. Getting a proper authorized signature could also be an issue.