Drayage is the short-distance trucking of a shipping container from the port terminal to an importer's warehouse or distribution center. It is one of the final legs of an international shipment and a significant part of the total landed cost. Drayage is performed by licensed drayage carriers who operate within the port's chassis pool.

How much does drayage cost at Port of Miami?

Drayage rates at Port of Miami range from $450–$750 for local Miami-Dade deliveries (20ft and 40ft containers respectively) to $1,700–$2,500 for long-haul deliveries to Jacksonville. Rates vary by destination zone, container size, and applicable surcharges including fuel, chassis, and congestion fees.

What surcharges apply to Port of Miami drayage?

Common Port of Miami drayage surcharges include: chassis usage fee ($25–$35/day), fuel surcharge (10%–18% of base rate), congestion surcharge during peak periods, overweight fee for containers exceeding 44,000 lbs, and per diem charges if the container is not returned within the free time allowance.

Is drayage included in the landed cost calculation?

Yes. Drayage is a domestic cost that occurs after customs clearance, so it is not part of the customs value (CIF) used to calculate duty. However, it is a real cash cost that should be included in your total landed cost calculation to get an accurate per-unit cost for your goods.

Florida PortsJune 30, 2026

Drayage Rates at Port of Miami: 2026 Florida Importer Guide

Drayage is the last domestic leg of your import — the truck move from the port terminal to your warehouse. At Port of Miami, that cost ranges from $450 to $2,200+ depending on where you are in Florida. Here is what you should expect to pay in 2026, and what drives the cost up.

What is drayage, and why does it matter?

Drayage is short-haul trucking from the port terminal to the importer's first domestic location — a warehouse, distribution center, or container freight station. It is separate from the ocean freight you paid to get the container to Miami. Once your goods clear customs, the drayage carrier picks up the container from the marine terminal and delivers it.

Drayage is not included in your CIF customs value (so it does not affect your duty calculation), but it is a real cost that belongs in your landed cost formula. On a full 40-foot container moving from Port of Miami to a warehouse in Orlando, drayage alone can add $1,500–$2,000 to your total.

2026 drayage rates by destination zone

Rates below are base estimates for a standard 20-foot and 40-foot dry container from Port of Miami terminal. They do not include chassis fees, fuel surcharges, or overweight charges, which are billed separately.

Destination ZoneDistance20ft (TEU)40ft (FEU)

Miami-Dade County (local)

Base rate, no fuel surcharge zone

0–25 mi$450–$650$520–$750

Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale)

Includes southbound congestion surcharge

25–40 mi$620–$850$720–$950

Palm Beach County

65–80 mi$850–$1,100$950–$1,250

Orlando / I-4 Corridor

Fuel surcharge applies

230–250 mi$1,300–$1,700$1,500–$1,950

Tampa Bay Area

Fuel surcharge applies

270–290 mi$1,400–$1,800$1,600–$2,050

Jacksonville (JAXPORT area)

Long-haul fuel + driver per diem

340–360 mi$1,700–$2,200$1,900–$2,500

Estimates based on 2026 market rates. Actual rates vary by carrier, volume, and market conditions. Request quotes from multiple licensed drayage carriers.

Drayage surcharges at Port of Miami

The base drayage rate is never the final number. These surcharges are standard at Port of Miami and should be factored into every landed cost estimate:

Chassis fee$25–$35 per day

The wheeled frame used to transport the container. Most Florida drayage carriers do not own their own chassis — they pull from the port chassis pool, which charges a daily rental. Typical moves take 1–3 days.

Fuel surcharge (FSC)10%–18% of base rate

Applied as a percentage of the base drayage rate. Fluctuates monthly with diesel prices. Currently running 14%–17% at Port of Miami.

Congestion surcharge$75–$150

Applied when terminal congestion causes extended wait times at the gate. Common during peak season (Oct–Jan) and after vessel bunching events.

Overweight charge$150–$350

Applies when the loaded container exceeds Florida's legal road weight limits (44,000 lbs gross vehicle weight in Miami-Dade, with permits for heavier loads). Common with dense cargo like stone, steel, and certain machinery.

Per diem / detention$75–$150 per day

Charged if the container is not returned to the terminal within the ocean carrier's free time allowance (typically 3–5 days). Can add up quickly during customs holds.

Hazmat surcharge$100–$250

Applies to containers with IMDG-classified hazardous materials. Requires special placarding and driver certification.

Port of Miami vs. Port Everglades: drayage comparison

Both ports serve South Florida, and many importers have flexibility in which port their cargo enters. The drayage difference between the two is typically small — but port-specific factors matter.

Port of MiamiMIA

Local base rate (20ft)

$450–$750

+Best access to downtown Miami warehouses

+Largest cruise port infrastructure — strong labor availability

+JAXPORT rail connection via CSX

−Downtown location means higher congestion surcharges

−Limited on-terminal warehousing

−Chassis pool tighter during peak season

Port EvergladesFLL

Local base rate (20ft)

$480–$780

+Better access to Broward and Palm Beach warehouses

+Lower average congestion surcharges

+Larger terminal footprint with more chassis availability

−Slightly higher base rates to Miami-Dade destinations

−Petroleum terminal traffic can slow gate access

How to keep drayage costs down

Get your customs clearance done before the vessel berths

Pre-clearance lets you dispatch the drayage carrier the moment the container is discharged, minimizing chassis rental days and avoiding per diem charges.

Negotiate volume rates with your drayage carrier

If you import regularly through Port of Miami, most carriers will offer discounted rates for committed volume — even 5–10 containers per month can qualify.

Use a freight forwarder with an existing carrier network

Forwarders with Miami port relationships often have better chassis access and priority gate appointments, which reduces congestion wait time and surcharges.

Factor drayage into your landed cost at the PO stage

Too many importers calculate drayage after the purchase order is placed. Use The Tariff Desk landed cost calculator to include drayage estimates before you commit to a price.

Add Drayage to Your Full Landed Cost

The Tariff Desk landed cost calculator includes drayage estimates for all four Florida ports — so you see the true all-in cost before your purchase order is placed.

Open Landed Cost Calculator Port of Miami overview