Dray Insight
Prepull and store a container
A prepull takes the box out of the terminal before the customer is ready for it. It trades demurrage for storage in your yard.
Jonathan Sinton · Checked November 14, 2026
You need
- Space in a secure yard
- A chassis you can keep for some days
- The customer's approval in writing
- The delivery appointment date
Steps
- Compare the costsDemurrage per day at the terminal against your prepull, storage and chassis days.
- Get approval before you pullSend the prepull, storage and chassis rates and wait for a yes.
- Pull and park itGate out, bring it to the yard, note the date and the seal number.
- Count the daysStorage and chassis run every day it sits. So does the ocean carrier's per diem clock.
- Deliver and bill each linePrepull, storage days, chassis days and the delivery itself.
The numbers
Example. Use your own numbers.| Prepull | $150 |
| Yard storage, 3 days × $45 | $135 |
| Chassis, 3 extra days × $35 | $105 |
| Added to the move | $390 |
Compare with three days of demurrage at that terminal. Demurrage rates usually rise the longer the box sits.
Watch out
A prepull the customer did not approve is a charge you will not collect.
Check the seal when it arrives and when it leaves the yard.