What Is a Pre-Pull in Drayage? When and Why Is It Used?

Overview

In port drayage, the timing of container pickup and warehouse delivery does not always line up perfectly.

A container may be available at the marine terminal and approaching its Last Free Day while the receiving warehouse is not yet ready to accept delivery.

One option in this situation may be a pre-pull.

A pre-pull generally involves picking up a loaded import container from the marine terminal before its scheduled final delivery and temporarily staging it at an off-terminal location until the receiving facility is ready.

Understanding when a pre-pull may be useful can help importers, freight forwarders, and logistics teams coordinate container pickup, warehouse appointments, and potential port-related charges more effectively.

How Does a Pre-Pull Work?

With a direct container delivery, the drayage carrier picks up the container from the marine terminal and transports it directly to the receiving location.

A pre-pull adds an intermediate step.

The loaded container is first picked up from the terminal and moved to an appropriate staging location. It remains there until the scheduled delivery time, after which it is transported to the warehouse or other receiving facility.

After unloading, the empty container still needs to be returned according to the applicable ocean carrier and terminal instructions.

A pre-pull therefore changes the timing and sequence of the container move rather than eliminating the need for final delivery and empty return.

Why Would a Container Need to Be Pre-Pulled?

There are several situations in which a pre-pull may be considered.

The Last Free Day Is Approaching

The Last Free Day is an important deadline in import container planning.

If a container remains at the marine terminal beyond the applicable free-time period, demurrage or terminal-related charges may begin to apply according to the applicable terms.

If the container can be picked up before that deadline but cannot yet be delivered, a pre-pull may provide another option.

The Warehouse Cannot Receive the Container Yet

Warehouse schedules do not always match terminal availability.

The receiving facility may have limited hours, a full appointment schedule, or no available unloading time before the container needs to leave the terminal. Temporarily staging the container can help bridge the gap between terminal pickup and warehouse delivery.

Terminal and Delivery Appointments Do Not Align

Marine terminal appointment availability and warehouse receiving appointments are separate scheduling considerations.

Sometimes a suitable terminal pickup appointment is available before the warehouse can accept the container. A pre-pull may allow the container to be removed from the terminal during the available pickup window and delivered later according to the receiving schedule.

Operational Conditions Create a Timing Conflict

Container availability, terminal congestion, appointment availability, delivery schedules, and other operating conditions can change. When these factors create a gap between when the container should leave the terminal and when it can be delivered, a pre-pull may be considered as part of the drayage plan.

What Does Last Free Day Have to Do with a Pre-Pull?

Last Free Day, often abbreviated as LFD, generally refers to the final day of the applicable free-time period before certain terminal storage or demurrage charges may begin.

Because of this deadline, the drayage carrier and logistics team often need to coordinate container pickup before the LFD expires.

If the receiving warehouse cannot accept the container before that date, leaving the container at the terminal may result in additional charges under the applicable terms.

A pre-pull can move the container out of the terminal before final delivery, provided the container is available, properly released, and can be picked up under the applicable terminal requirements.

The specific free-time rules and charges vary by ocean carrier, terminal, shipment, and circumstances, so the applicable information should always be verified for the individual container.

Can a Pre-Pull Help Avoid Demurrage?

A pre-pull may help reduce the risk of terminal demurrage when a container can be removed from the marine terminal before the applicable free-time period expires.

However, a pre-pull should not be viewed as eliminating every possible additional cost associated with the shipment.

Moving and staging the container may involve additional transportation, storage, chassis usage, or other charges depending on the arrangement.

Carrier equipment free-time requirements and empty-container return deadlines may also continue to apply after the container leaves the terminal.

For this reason, the cost and timing of a pre-pull should be considered as part of the overall container transportation plan. For a broader overview of how these charges fit together, see our guide to drayage costs.

Pre-Pull vs. Direct Delivery

The main difference between a pre-pull and direct delivery is whether the loaded container goes directly from the terminal to the receiving facility.

Neither method is automatically better for every shipment. The appropriate approach depends on container availability, LFD, terminal appointments, receiving schedules, equipment requirements, and other operational factors.

What Costs Can Be Associated with a Pre-Pull?

A pre-pull can change the transportation and equipment requirements of a container move. Depending on the provider and arrangement, potential charges may relate to:

• The additional container movement or pre-pull service
• Temporary storage or staging
• Chassis usage
• Additional equipment days
• Final delivery
• Waiting time or other services when applicable

Not every charge applies to every shipment.

Businesses should review the specific drayage quote and ask which services are included and what circumstances could result in additional charges.

There is no single universal pre-pull price.

How Does Chassis Usage Relate to a Pre-Pull?

The loaded container may remain on chassis equipment while it is staged before final delivery.

If the container remains on the chassis for additional time, equipment usage may extend beyond what would have been required for a direct delivery.

The exact arrangement depends on the trucking provider, equipment availability, staging method, and shipment requirements.

This is one reason chassis coordination and pre-pull planning should be considered together when reviewing the overall container move.

What Happens After the Container Is Pre-Pulled?

Once the loaded container has been removed from the terminal and staged, the next step is final delivery.

The drayage provider coordinates delivery according to the receiving facility's schedule and the transportation plan.

After the container is unloaded, the empty container must still be returned to the appropriate location according to the applicable return instructions.

Empty-return availability and carrier equipment requirements can change, so return instructions should be verified before dispatch.

A successful pre-pull therefore requires coordination beyond simply removing the container from the terminal.

Pre-Pulls and Port of Long Beach Container Pickup

Container pickup from the Port of Long Beach involves coordination of container availability, releases, terminal appointments, Last Free Day, chassis equipment, warehouse receiving, and empty return.

When the timing of terminal pickup and warehouse delivery does not align, a pre-pull may be one option considered as part of the transportation plan.

ITZON Transport coordinates Port of Long Beach drayage and container transportation throughout Southern California, including container pickup, delivery scheduling, chassis coordination, and empty return based on shipment requirements.

Whether a pre-pull is appropriate depends on the circumstances of the individual container move.

What Information Helps Determine Whether a Pre-Pull Is Needed?

Useful information includes:

Providing this information early gives the drayage provider more time to coordinate the shipment and determine an appropriate pickup and delivery plan.

Frequently Asked Questions