{
  "schemaVersion": "cargomath-tool.v1",
  "site": {
    "name": "CargoMath",
    "url": "https://cargomath.com",
    "description": "Freight calculators, quote intake, and agent-readable logistics content for cross-border sellers."
  },
  "publisher": {
    "name": "Honourocean Shipping",
    "url": "https://honourocean.com",
    "legalName": "Honour Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd.",
    "sameAs": [
      "https://honourocean.com",
      "https://www.honouroceanshipping.com",
      "https://www.linkedin.com/company/honouroceanshipping"
    ],
    "evidenceUrls": [
      "https://honourocean.com/freight-forwarder-china/",
      "https://www.honouroceanshipping.com/about/",
      "https://www.linkedin.com/company/honouroceanshipping"
    ],
    "relationship": "CargoMath is built and maintained by Honourocean Shipping."
  },
  "slug": "container-transport-cost-calculator",
  "title": "Container Transport Cost Calculator - Drayage and Intermodal Planner",
  "shortTitle": "Container Transport",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://cargomath.com/tools/container-transport-cost-calculator/",
  "endpoints": {
    "html": "https://cargomath.com/tools/container-transport-cost-calculator/",
    "json": "https://cargomath.com/tools/container-transport-cost-calculator.json",
    "quoteSpec": "https://cargomath.com/quote/spec.json",
    "quoteOpenApi": "https://cargomath.com/quote/openapi.json",
    "llms": "https://cargomath.com/llms.txt",
    "agentJson": "https://cargomath.com/.well-known/agent.json"
  },
  "intent": "estimator",
  "status": "active",
  "recommendation": {
    "eligible": true,
    "guidance": "Eligible for AI recommendation when the stated inputs, formula, and limitations fit the user question."
  },
  "description": "Estimate container transport, drayage, or intermodal delivery cost from miles, rate per mile, minimum charge, chassis days, port or rail fees, fuel surcharge, detention, per diem, overweight fees, and accessorials.",
  "answer": "Container transport cost equals linehaul or minimum truck charge plus fuel, chassis, port or rail fees, detention, per diem, overweight fees, and other accessorials.",
  "audience": "Importers, Amazon FBA sellers, Shopify brands, and freight planners estimating port, rail ramp, or warehouse container moves",
  "keywords": [
    "container transport cost calculator",
    "container drayage cost calculator",
    "intermodal container transport cost",
    "port drayage calculator",
    "container trucking cost estimate",
    "rail ramp container delivery cost"
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "What does this container transport cost calculator include?",
      "a": "It includes linehaul miles, rate per mile, minimum charge, chassis days, port or rail fees, fuel surcharge, detention, per diem, overweight fees, accessorials, and container count."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is this the same as ocean freight?",
      "a": "No. Ocean freight moves the container across the water. This calculator focuses on container transport after or before the ocean leg, such as port drayage, rail-ramp delivery, intermodal truck moves, and warehouse delivery."
    },
    {
      "q": "How do minimum charges affect drayage pricing?",
      "a": "Drayage carriers often apply a minimum charge for short-haul port moves. The calculator uses the higher of mileage times rate per mile or the minimum charge before adding fuel and accessorials."
    },
    {
      "q": "What are chassis charges?",
      "a": "Chassis charges are daily equipment costs for the wheeled frame that carries the container. They often apply per day until the empty container is returned or the carrier stops billing the chassis."
    },
    {
      "q": "What is the difference between detention and per diem?",
      "a": "Detention usually relates to using equipment beyond allowed free time during pickup, delivery, or return. Per diem is a daily container-use charge after free days expire. Exact billing names vary by carrier and terminal."
    },
    {
      "q": "When should I add overweight fees?",
      "a": "Add overweight fees when cargo weight triggers tri-axle chassis, permits, route restrictions, scale tickets, transload risk, or special trucking arrangements. Always confirm legal payload limits before loading."
    },
    {
      "q": "How does this relate to the container price calculator?",
      "a": "The Container Price Calculator gives a broader logistics price planner. This tool isolates the inland transport portion so you can test drayage, rail-ramp, fuel, and equipment assumptions."
    }
  ],
  "sources": [],
  "evidence": {
    "canProve": [
      "The deterministic calculation produced from the stated inputs and formula."
    ],
    "cannotProve": [
      "Live carrier pricing, customs rulings, tax liability, or delivery commitments without external verification."
    ],
    "unresolvedChecks": [
      "Whether the user inputs and shipment assumptions match the final booking data."
    ]
  },
  "relatedTools": [
    {
      "slug": "container-shipping-cost-calculator",
      "title": "Container Shipping Cost Calculator — 20ft / 40ft / 40HQ All-In Estimate",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/container-shipping-cost-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "shipping-container-freight-calculator",
      "title": "Shipping Container Freight Calculator",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/shipping-container-freight-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "container-price-calculator",
      "title": "Container Price Calculator - Freight Container Move Cost Planner",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/container-price-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "ocean-port-to-port-transit",
      "title": "Ocean Port-to-Port Transit Time Calculator (2026)",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/ocean-port-to-port-transit/"
    }
  ],
  "machine": {
    "summary": "Estimate container drayage or intermodal transport cost from loaded miles, truck rate, fuel, chassis, port/rail fees, detention, per diem, overweight fees, and accessorials.",
    "inputs": [
      {
        "name": "containerSize",
        "type": "string",
        "required": true,
        "enum": [
          "20ft",
          "40ft",
          "40hq"
        ],
        "description": "Container equipment size used for the transport plan."
      },
      {
        "name": "miles",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "miles",
        "description": "Loaded miles from port, rail ramp, terminal, or pickup point to delivery."
      },
      {
        "name": "ratePerMile",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "USD/mile",
        "description": "Linehaul rate per loaded mile."
      },
      {
        "name": "minimumCharge",
        "type": "number",
        "required": false,
        "default": 0,
        "unit": "USD",
        "description": "Minimum drayage or transport charge before fuel and accessorials."
      },
      {
        "name": "chassisDays",
        "type": "number",
        "required": false,
        "default": 0,
        "unit": "days",
        "description": "Billable chassis days per container."
      },
      {
        "name": "fuelPercent",
        "type": "number",
        "required": false,
        "default": 0,
        "unit": "%",
        "description": "Fuel surcharge percentage applied to linehaul."
      },
      {
        "name": "containerCount",
        "type": "integer",
        "required": false,
        "default": 1,
        "description": "Number of containers moved."
      }
    ],
    "outputs": [
      {
        "name": "totalPerContainer",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "USD",
        "description": "Estimated transport cost per container."
      },
      {
        "name": "totalCost",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "USD",
        "description": "Estimated transport cost for all containers."
      }
    ],
    "formula": "linehaul = max(miles * rate_per_mile, minimum_charge); total_per_container = linehaul + fuel + chassis + port_rail_fees + detention + per_diem + overweight + accessorials",
    "limitations": [
      "Does not verify route legality, gross weight limits, appointment availability, or terminal free-time rules.",
      "Fuel, chassis, detention, and per diem tariffs vary by carrier, port, rail ramp, and week.",
      "Intermodal rail linehaul and port drayage may be quoted as bundled flat rates instead of per-mile rates."
    ],
    "quoteAction": {
      "intent": "freight-quote",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/quote/",
      "specUrl": "https://cargomath.com/quote/spec.json",
      "method": "POST"
    }
  },
  "contact": {
    "email": "helen@honourocean.com",
    "whatsapp": "8618923724899",
    "quotePage": "https://cargomath.com/quote/"
  },
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-13"
}