Container haulage is moving shipping containers by road between a port or rail terminal and the place they're packed or unpacked. In the UK it means collecting import boxes from Felixstowe, Southampton or London Gateway on a skeletal or side-loader trailer, delivering inland, and returning the empty, or the reverse for exports.
This guide is for two readers: shippers and importers who need a box collected, and hauliers who want more container work. It covers the ports and roads, container sizes, trailer types, rates, slot booking, customs, and how to book or win a job. If you’re ready now, post a container load or browse container loads.
What container haulage is
Container haulage, sometimes called drayage, is the road leg of a container’s journey. A box arrives by ship, is lifted onto a haulier’s trailer at the terminal, and is driven to an importer’s warehouse to be unpacked. The haulier then returns the empty to the port or to the shipping line’s depot. Exports work the same way in reverse: an empty is collected, taken to the exporter to be packed, weighed and sealed, then delivered to the terminal in time for the ship’s cut-off.
Most UK container moves are merchant haulage, where the importer or their forwarder books the haulier, rather than carrier haulage, where the shipping line arranges the truck as part of the freight price. Merchant haulage usually costs less and gives you more control over timing, but you take responsibility for slots, waiting time and returning the empty on time.
A typical job: a 40ft high-cube of furniture lands at Felixstowe. The forwarder clears customs, the shipping line issues a release, and the haulier books a terminal slot. The truck collects at 06:00, runs the A14 and M6 to a warehouse in Birmingham (about 160 miles), waits two hours while it’s unpacked, and returns the empty to a depot. The UK handled about 10.8 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers in 2025, so this happens tens of thousands of times a week. For rate detail, see container haulage rates.
Freight1 guidePort → inland → empty returnThe three legs of an import moveUK container ports and the roads that serve them
Five ports handle most of the UK’s deep-sea container traffic. Each has its own roads, bottlenecks and booking system.
| Port | 2025 volume (TEU) | Main roads | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felixstowe | ≈3.6 million (33%) | A14 to Cambridge, A1, M1, M6 | Orwell Bridge closures in high winds; Dock Spur roundabout queues |
| London Gateway & Tilbury | ≈2.8 million combined (26%) | A13, M25, A1089 (Tilbury) | Dartford Crossing and M25 delays; A13 congestion at peak times |
| Southampton | ≈1.9 million (18%) | M27, M3, A34 north to the M40 | M27/M3 roadworks; A34 closures add long diversions |
| Liverpool | ≈0.77 million (7%) | A5036, M57, M58, M62 | A5036 congestion into the port |
| Hull | ≈0.23 million (2%) | A63, M62, M18 | A63 congestion through Hull city centre |
Port choice is usually made by the shipping line, not the haulier. But it changes the job: a Felixstowe box to Manchester is a 230-mile run, while the same box via Liverpool is under 40. Importers with regular volume should ask their forwarder whether a closer port is available on their trade lane. Our UK ports hub has more on each port.
Not every box travels by road from the quay. Many go by rail to inland terminals such as DIRFT (Daventry), Hams Hall (near Birmingham), Trafford Park (Manchester) and iPort (Doncaster), and finish with a short road leg. If your warehouse is near one of these terminals, ask your forwarder whether rail plus a local delivery is cheaper than a long road run from the port.
Container sizes
Almost all UK container work involves four sizes. Dimensions are set by ISO standards; exact internal sizes and weights vary by manufacturer, so always check the box’s data plate.
| Size | External L × H | Internal volume | Pallets (UK / Euro) | Typical max gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | 6.06 m × 2.59 m | ≈33 m³ | 9–10 / 11 | 30,480 kg (some rated higher) |
| 40ft standard | 12.19 m × 2.59 m | ≈67 m³ | 20–21 / 23–24 | 30,480 kg (some 32,500 kg) |
| 40ft high-cube | 12.19 m × 2.90 m | ≈76 m³ | 20–21 / 23–24 | 30,480–32,500 kg |
| 45ft high-cube | 13.72 m × 2.90 m | ≈86 m³ | 24 / 27 | ≈32,500 kg |
The box’s maximum gross weight isn’t the only limit. In Great Britain a six-axle articulated lorry is limited to 44 tonnes gross. Take away a tractor unit of about 8 tonnes and a skeletal trailer of about 5–6 tonnes, and a container of roughly 29–30 tonnes gross is around the practical road limit. Heavy 20ft boxes (stone, steel, machinery) often need a tri-axle trailer or careful planning. Tell the haulier the gross weight before booking. A box that turns out overweight at the terminal costs everyone a failed trip. Full detail in container sizes explained.
Trailer types for container haulage
The trailer decides what the haulier can do at your site. Choose by how the box will be unloaded.
| Trailer | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Skeletal (standard) | A bare chassis with twist-locks for one 40ft or one/two 20ft boxes | Deliveries to warehouses with a loading bay; the box is unpacked on the trailer |
| Extendable skeletal | Slides out to take a 45ft box | 45ft high-cubes |
| Sliding / combi skeletal | Moves a 20ft box to the rear so the doors line up with a dock | 20ft boxes to dock-level warehouses |
| Tipping skeletal | Lifts the front of the box to tip bulk cargo out the back | Grain, plastics, aggregates in lined containers |
| Side-loader (side-lifter) | Cranes lift the box off and set it on the ground | Sites with no forklift or dock; storage boxes; construction sites |
Side-loaders cost more because the kit is heavier and slower, and they need space: about 4–5 metres alongside the box and firm level ground. If the box can sit on the trailer while you unpack it, a standard skeletal is cheaper. Compare both in skeletal vs side-loader trailers, or find side-loader work.
Container haulage rates
Container rates are usually quoted per move (port to site and empty return) rather than per mile, but per-mile figures help you compare. Recent container loads posted on the Freight1 board give a realistic picture:
| Lane | Miles | Posted budget | Per loaded mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Gateway → Manchester | 165 | £900 | ≈£5.45 |
| Felixstowe → Newport | 186 | £920 | ≈£4.95 |
| Tilbury → Manchester | 175 | £940 | ≈£5.37 |
| Felixstowe → Rochdale | 185 | £960 | ≈£5.19 |
| Portsmouth → Newmarket | 119 | £750 | ≈£6.30 |
| Liverpool → Manchester | 28 | £390 | ≈£13.93 |
The short Liverpool job shows why per-mile comparisons only go so far. Collection, waiting and the empty return cost the same whatever the distance, so short moves carry a high per-mile price.
What changes the price: distance, waiting time (most hauliers include one to two hours free at delivery, then charge by the hour), weight (heavy boxes may need special kit), trailer type (side-loader costs more), and port surcharges such as peak-slot or late-change charges, which hauliers pass on. Fuel surcharges apply too. With diesel near 199p a litre in late September 2026 (RAC), ask whether a quote is fixed or fuel-linked. Membership details are on the pricing page, and wider rates are in UK haulage rates.
How to get an accurate container quote
Give the haulier the port and terminal, container size and type, gross weight, delivery postcode, unloading method and expected time, release status and the empty return location. With that, a haulier can quote a firm price instead of a range, and you’ll avoid surprise charges for waiting, weight or extra miles to a distant empty depot.
Booking and terminal slots
Every major UK container terminal controls lorry arrivals with a booking system. No slot, no collection. Here’s how a typical import collection is set up:
- Get the box released. The shipping line releases it once freight charges are paid, and customs releases it once the import declaration is accepted. Your forwarder or agent confirms both. Tip: ask for the release PIN in writing.
- Check availability. The box must be discharged from the ship and available. Check the terminal’s system or ask your forwarder. Tip: free storage days start from discharge.
- Book the slot. The haulier books a slot in the terminal’s system (Felixstowe’s Container Booking Service, London Gateway’s or Southampton’s VBS). Tip: peak slots can cost more, so plan early collections.
- Share the details. Give the haulier the container number, release/PIN, delivery address, contact and booking-in time. Tip: one email with everything avoids phone tag.
- Book the delivery. Confirm the warehouse booking-in time matches the slot plus driving time. Tip: allow for M25 or A14 delays.
- Plan the empty return. Ask the shipping line where the empty goes and by when. Tip: late returns trigger detention charges.
Container collection checklist
- Line release and customs release confirmed
- Container number and PIN shared with the haulier
- Gross weight within road limits
- Delivery booking-in time agreed
- Empty return depot and deadline known
Felixstowe moved from its Vehicle Booking System to a Container Booking Service in 2025, with charges for late changes and peak-time bookings from February 2025. Check current terminal tariffs before quoting fixed prices. More in UK port slot booking explained.
Demurrage, detention and storage charges
These three charges catch out new importers more than anything else. They’re not haulage charges, but how quickly your haulier collects and returns the box decides whether you pay them.
| Charge | Who charges it | What triggers it |
|---|---|---|
| Storage (quay rent) | The terminal | The box stays at the terminal after its free storage days |
| Demurrage | The shipping line | The full box isn't collected from the port within the line's free time |
| Detention | The shipping line | The box (full or empty) is kept outside the port beyond the free time, e.g. the empty isn't returned |
Free time varies by line, port and contract, often a few days, and charges usually rise the longer the box stays. Ask your forwarder for the free time on every shipment, book the haulier early, and agree where and when the empty goes back. Delays at the warehouse are the commonest cause of detention, so unload quickly. Full guide: demurrage and detention explained.
Customs and container haulage
Imports into Great Britain need a customs declaration, made through HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service (CDS), which replaced CHIEF for imports in 2022 and exports in 2024. Most importers use a customs agent or their forwarder to do this. To import or export goods you also need an EORI number starting with GB. The terminal won’t let a box leave until customs has released it, and HMRC can hold goods, charge penalties for inaccurate declarations, or seize goods in serious cases.
For the haulier, customs mostly shows up as a status. You can’t collect until the box is released, and a box held for examination may need moving to an inspection facility first, which adds time and cost. Food, plant and animal products may also need sanitary and phytosanitary checks under the UK’s Border Target Operating Model. Exporters must give the shipping line a verified gross mass (VGM) for each packed container before it’s loaded onto the ship.
Last checked: 3 November 2026
Customs rules change. Always confirm current requirements on GOV.UK or with a licensed customs agent before shipping. Customs agents can also find work on Freight1, so post a job if you need one.
Customs compliance checklist
- GB EORI number in place
- Import declaration lodged on CDS (usually by your agent)
- Customs release confirmed before booking a slot
- Commodity code and value checked for duty and VAT
- SPS / health checks arranged if you import food, plants or animal products
Export containers: empties, packing and cut-offs
Exports reverse the flow. The haulier collects an empty from the line’s depot or the terminal, delivers it to the exporter to be packed, then takes the full box to the port before the ship’s cargo cut-off.
- Get the booking. The shipping line or forwarder issues a booking reference and tells you where to collect the empty. Tip: check the box size and type (standard or high-cube) against the booking.
- Plan the packing time. Live loading (the truck waits) is quicker; drop-and-collect needs a side-loader or a second trip. Tip: agree free loading time in the quote.
- Weigh and declare VGM. The shipper must give the line a verified gross mass before loading. Tip: overweight boxes are refused at the gate.
- Seal and document. Record the seal number and container number on the paperwork. Tip: photograph the sealed doors.
- Deliver before cut-off. Book the export slot early. Missing the cut-off can mean waiting a week for the next sailing. Tip: allow for A14 or M25 delays.
Common container haulage problems and how to avoid them
| Problem | Usual cause | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Failed collection | Box not released by line or customs | Confirm both releases and the PIN before booking a slot |
| Long wait at delivery | No booking-in slot, short of staff to unload | Book the delivery and agree free time and hourly rate |
| Overweight box | Gross weight not checked against road limits | Give the haulier the gross weight before booking |
| Detention charges | Empty returned late | Unload promptly; know the return depot and deadline |
| Wrong trailer | Site has no dock or forklift | Describe the site; book a side-loader if needed |
| Missed export sailing | Late empty collection or slot | Book empties and export slots as soon as the booking is confirmed |
Find container work or book a container haulier
Shippers: booking a container haulier
- Post the load with port, box size, gross weight, delivery postcode and dates. Post a load.
- Add the details hauliers price on: forklift or dock on site, expected unload time, release status.
- Compare offers on price, trailer type, ratings and whether the haulier’s licence and insurance are shown and checked.
- Agree waiting-time terms in writing, including the free time and the hourly rate after it.
- Track the job from collection to delivery and rate the haulier afterwards.
Hauliers: winning container work
- Filter the board to the Containers or Side-loader category and the ports you serve. Container loads.
- Check the slot situation before offering. A cheap load with no slot is worth nothing.
- Reply with specifics: trailer type, earliest slot you can book, and your free waiting time.
- Line up the empty return or a backload before you accept. See backloads.
Before you accept a container job
- Box released by line and customs
- Weight checked against your kit
- Delivery site suits your trailer
- Return depot and backload planned
Starting out in container haulage: what hauliers need
If you run curtainsiders and want to add container work, the step up is mostly kit and admin:
- A skeletal trailer (or a side-loader for ground-drop work) and a tractor unit suited to 44-tonne operation.
- An account with each terminal’s booking system, plus a way to pay booking, peak-time and late-change charges.
- Drivers who meet each terminal’s site rules: PPE, any induction or registration the terminal requires, and familiarity with the gate process.
- Goods in Transit cover that suits container values, and clear conditions of carriage covering waiting time.
- A plan for empties and backloads, so every import leg has a loaded or paid return. See backloads.
Then make yourself findable: put your trailer types and ports on your Freight1 profile, and check container loads daily on the lanes you want to run.
Frequently asked questions
What is container haulage and how does it work in the UK?
Container haulage is the road move of a shipping container between a port or rail terminal and an inland site. A haulier collects the released box on a booked slot, delivers it, and returns the empty.
How do I get a shipping container delivered from a UK port?
Make sure customs and the shipping line have released the box, then book a container haulier with the container number, release PIN, gross weight and delivery details. The haulier books the terminal slot.
Who does container haulage from Felixstowe and Southampton?
Specialist container hauliers with skeletal or side-loader trailers. On Freight1 you can post a Felixstowe or Southampton load and receive offers from hauliers on that lane.
How much does container haulage cost in the UK?
It depends on distance, waiting time, weight and trailer. Recent 165–185 mile port moves on Freight1 were posted at £900–£960, about £5–£5.50 per loaded mile.
What's the difference between a skeletal and a side-loader?
A skeletal carries the box while it's unpacked on the trailer. A side-loader lifts the box off and sets it on the ground, for sites with no dock or forklift.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Every account type gets 7 days of full access, including posting, contact details, messaging and tracking, with no payment up front. Add a card only if you decide to stay.
Book or find container work today
Shippers: get the box released, then post it with weight, size and delivery details. Hauliers: filter by port, check slots and plan the empty return before you accept.
Sources
- Container News: United Kingdom port throughput rises in 2025
- BIFA: Felixstowe changes from VBS to CBS
- DP World London Gateway: Vehicle Booking System
- GOV.UK: Customs Declaration Service
- GOV.UK: Get an EORI number
- GOV.UK: HGV maximum weights
Facts last checked: 3 November 2026. Freight1 board examples are shippers' posted budgets, not quotes.