A chassis split fee is an extra drayage charge that happens when the container and the chassis it needs to ride on are stored in two different locations at (or near) the marine terminal. The trucker has to make a separate move to grab a chassis from one spot and the container from another, “splitting” the trip into two legs. That added equipment trip is billed as a chassis split fee.
Why chassis splits happen
A chassis is the wheeled steel frame that carries an ocean container over the road. At many ports, chassis are supplied from shared pools, terminal stacks, or off-dock depots rather than sitting under every container. When the required chassis type isn’t available at the same gate as your box, the driver must detour to a chassis depot first. PortMiami and Port Everglades both rely on chassis pools, so splits are a routine part of South Florida drayage.
Chassis split vs. demurrage vs. per diem
These charges are easy to confuse. Demurrage is charged by the terminal/line for leaving a container on the dock too long. Per diem (also called detention) is charged for keeping the line’s container or equipment out too long. A chassis split fee is different: it pays for the extra trucking move to reunite a chassis with a container. To learn how the first two interact, see our explainer on demurrage vs. detention vs. per diem.
How to avoid or reduce chassis split fees
The most reliable way to avoid splits is to use a carrier that owns and stages its own chassis. When the same company controls the trucks and the chassis, drivers arrive with the right equipment already attached and skip the depot trip entirely. Go Freight is asset-based with its own chassis pool and 100+ company-owned trucks, which removes one of the most common sources of split charges. Our AI drayage platform also predicts gate and equipment availability at PortMiami and Port Everglades, so moves are planned around chassis supply instead of reacting to shortages.
Other practical steps: confirm the required chassis type (standard, tri-axle, or specialized) before dispatch, schedule pickups when pool inventory is healthy, and avoid last-minute moves during peak congestion when shared pools run dry.
Who pays the fee?
The chassis split fee normally flows to the shipper or consignee as a drayage accessorial on the invoice. Because the charge depends on equipment positioning that a non-asset broker can’t control, an asset-based carrier that doesn’t double-broker gives you a clearer, more predictable cost. With Go Freight, the company that quotes the move is the company that performs it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a chassis split fee avoidable?
Often, yes. Carriers that own their chassis and stage equipment with the truck can deliver without a separate depot trip, eliminating the split. With shared-pool-only carriers, splits are harder to prevent during congestion.
How much is a chassis split fee?
It varies by market and carrier and is billed as a flat accessorial for the extra trip. It is separate from daily chassis rent and from port demurrage, so always read the line items on your drayage quote.
What is a chassis pool?
A chassis pool is a shared inventory of chassis that multiple truckers draw from. Pools keep equipment available but can run short during peak season, which is when split fees spike. A carrier with its own pool is less exposed to those shortages.
Get drayage with the chassis already handled
Go Freight’s owned chassis pool and asset-based fleet help South Florida importers cut surprise accessorials like chassis splits. Request a quote or call (786) 445-0150 for drayage at PortMiami and Port Everglades.