Responsibilities the carrier takes inland
Under carrier haulage the shipping line books the railroad or trucker, plans the inland leg and generally stays responsible for the container until the delivery point on the Bill of Lading. Its contracted trucker often sets the delivery window with the consignee. In the United States the rail leg of an IPI booking is a common example, and a door move adds the final truck leg as well. Because the carrier's own subcontractors do the work, their events are more likely to reach the carrier's tracking.
Trade-offs against hiring your own trucker
Carrier haulage means one contract, one invoice and one party to call when something goes wrong. It is often the simpler choice for a distant inland point where the cargo owner has no trucking relationships. The price is control: the consignee does not choose the trucker or the order of pickups, and delivery timing depends on the subcontractor's schedule. Some importers mix both, using carrier haulage for far inland points and merchant haulage near the port.
- Fewer parties to manage and one point of contact
- Less say over pickup order and appointment timing
- Rates and free time set by the carrier's tariff or contract
Reading haulage terms on the Bill of Lading
The Bill of Lading and booking confirmation show what was bought. On an import, an inland city as place of delivery, or terms such as door or store door, point to carrier haulage; a place of delivery that matches the port of discharge usually means the merchant takes over at the terminal. On an export, an inland place of receipt signals that the carrier collects the box. When the documents and the quote disagree, settle it before the vessel arrives.
Example
On a door booking from Yantian to Memphis, the carrier rails CMAU7029150 from Los Angeles and has its contracted trucker deliver it to the consignee's dock.
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Questions
What does Carrier Haulage mean?
Carrier haulage is inland transport arranged by the ocean carrier as part of its contract, moving the container between the port and an inland ramp, depot or door. The carrier subcontracts the trucker or railroad and charges for the move itself.
Does carrier haulage include customs clearance?
No, the carrier only moves the container, and the importer's customs broker still files the entry. A customs or freight hold can stop a carrier haulage move just as it stops any other.
Can I switch from carrier haulage to merchant haulage after booking?
Often you can, by asking the carrier to amend the delivery terms before the container is discharged. Late changes may be refused or may carry an amendment or diversion charge.