Chassis Split
A chassis split is the extra move a drayage driver makes when the chassis is not at the same place as the container: the driver first goes to a chassis depot or a second terminal to pick up or return the chassis, then to the container. The trucker bills it as a flat fee per occurrence, because it is a second trip with its own miles and gate time. It happens most at gateways where the ship line does not supply the chassis and the pool’s depot sits away from the terminal.
Why it matters
A chassis split is one of the few drayage extras that is outside the shipper’s control: it depends on where the pool parked its equipment that morning. It can add an hour or more to the move and a fee on top of the all in price, and on a congested day it is the difference between making the appointment and missing the last free day.
When to use it
Ask whether the quoted price assumes the chassis is at the terminal, and what the split fee is if it is not. At Los Angeles and Long Beach, where most chassis come from a shared pool with depots across the harbor, assume a split is possible on any move. At gateways where the terminal keeps chassis on site, it is rare.
How Warp thinks about it
Every drayage quote Warp returns names the chassis split with its rate before booking, so it is a known number rather than a surprise on the invoice, and it posts only if the driver actually made the extra trip. The booking shows the first chassis days inside the price, so the chassis cost and the chassis split are both visible before the pull.
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Frequently asked questions about chassis split
What is chassis split?
A chassis split is the extra move a drayage driver makes when the chassis is not at the same place as the container: the driver first goes to a chassis depot or a second terminal to pick up or return the chassis, then to the container. The trucker bills it as a flat fee per occurrence, because it is a second trip with its own miles and gate time. It happens most at gateways where the ship line does not supply the chassis and the pool’s depot sits away from the terminal.
Why does chassis split matter in freight?
A chassis split is one of the few drayage extras that is outside the shipper’s control: it depends on where the pool parked its equipment that morning. It can add an hour or more to the move and a fee on top of the all in price, and on a congested day it is the difference between making the appointment and missing the last free day.
When should you use chassis split?
Ask whether the quoted price assumes the chassis is at the terminal, and what the split fee is if it is not. At Los Angeles and Long Beach, where most chassis come from a shared pool with depots across the harbor, assume a split is possible on any move. At gateways where the terminal keeps chassis on site, it is rare.
How does Warp handle chassis split?
Every drayage quote Warp returns names the chassis split with its rate before booking, so it is a known number rather than a surprise on the invoice, and it posts only if the driver actually made the extra trip. The booking shows the first chassis days inside the price, so the chassis cost and the chassis split are both visible before the pull.