BUYER GUIDE

How to find a drayage carrier

A practical guide for freight brokers, importers and forwarders.

01

Start with the port

Drayage is hyper-local. A carrier strong at LA/Long Beach may have no presence at Savannah. Always filter by the specific port where your container is arriving — not just the state.

02

Check UIIA membership

UIIA (Uniform Intermodal Interchange Agreement) membership is the baseline requirement for intermodal container moves. Carriers without it cannot legally move containers from most terminal gates. Filter for UIIA members first.

03

Verify FMCSA authority

Every carrier profile on DrayLocator shows their USDOT and MC number. Cross-reference at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before booking. Look for: Active operating authority, current insurance on file, no out-of-service orders. Learn more: FMCSA SAFER explained.

04

Review SMS BASIC scores

The FMCSA Safety Measurement System publishes SMS BASIC percentile scores for Unsafe Driving, Hours of Service, Vehicle Maintenance and more. Lower scores are better. DrayLocator shows these scores on every verified profile.

05

Check for hazmat / reefer / TWIC

If your cargo requires special handling, filter for it before reaching out. Hazmat-endorsed carriers need specific DOT training. Reefer capacity is limited — confirm before you commit. TWIC (Transportation Worker ID) is required at most port terminals.

06

Contact dispatch directly

Once you have a shortlist, contact dispatch directly with your container number, port, lift date and delivery zip. Get a rate and confirm chassis availability. DrayLocator shows dispatch contact info, hours and average response time on each profile.

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