Container Transport — 20 ft & 40 ft Container Trucking
Port to factory, factory to ICD, or point to point inland: book verified container trailers for import, export and domestic container moves, with clear estimates and the paperwork handled properly.
Container transport is the road leg of a container shipment. A trailer collects a 20 ft or 40 ft box from a port, inland container depot (ICD) or container freight station (CFS), takes it to a factory or warehouse for stuffing or de-stuffing, and returns it within the free time the shipping line allows. Getting that leg wrong is costly, because detention and demurrage charges keep running while a container waits. Domestic businesses also use containers for sealed, weather-proof movement of high-value goods between cities.
Who it's for
- Importers and exporters moving containers between ports, ICDs and factories
- Freight forwarders and CHAs who need a reliable trucking partner
- Manufacturers shipping sealed, weather-proof domestic container loads
- Businesses that need a container returned before free time runs out
What's included
20 ft and 40 ft trailers
Skeletal and flatbed trailers for 20 ft, 40 ft and 40 ft high-cube boxes, plus closed container bodies for domestic sealed loads.
Port, ICD and CFS moves
Pickup and drop at seaports, ICDs and CFSs, with the gate-in and gate-out timing planned around terminal slots.
Free-time planning
Stuffing, de-stuffing and empty return scheduled against the free days on your delivery order, so detention charges are avoided rather than explained later.
Document support
Your transporter works with the documents your CHA issues: e-way bill, delivery order, seal details and the equipment interchange receipt for the container.
Seal and weight checks
Seal numbers recorded at pickup and delivery, and gross weight kept within the legal axle load for the trailer.
GST invoice and tracking
A proper GST invoice for the trucking leg and status updates from gate-out to delivery.
Container transport charges — estimate ranges
| Type | Estimated rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 20 ft container (trailer) | ₹60 – ₹110 / km | Long-haul, loaded one way |
| 40 ft container (trailer) | ₹75 – ₹135 / km | Higher for high-cube or heavy loads |
| Port / ICD local drayage | ₹8,000 – ₹30,000 / trip | Short moves within the port city; varies with waiting time |
| Trailer detention | ₹1,500 – ₹4,000 / day | Charged by the transporter when the trailer is held at your site |
Market estimates only. Container trucking cost depends on port or ICD, distance, container size, gross weight, toll plazas, waiting time at terminals and whether a return load is available. Shipping-line detention and terminal charges are separate. Always compare written quotes.
How freight booking works
Tell us your shipment
Pickup and drop cities, goods type, weight or volume, and date — takes a minute.
Compare verified quotes
Get transparent quotes from verified, GST-registered transporters — no spam, no inflated rates.
Book, invoice & track
Book on B2B, get your GST invoice and e-way bill, and track the consignment to delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What is container transport?
It is the road movement of a shipping container, usually 20 ft or 40 ft, on a trailer between a port, an inland container depot (ICD), a container freight station (CFS) and your factory or warehouse. It is the inland leg of an import or export shipment, and is also used for sealed domestic loads.
What is the difference between detention and demurrage?
Broadly, demurrage is charged for a loaded container that stays inside the port or terminal beyond its free days, while detention is charged by the shipping line when you keep its container outside the terminal beyond the free time. The exact free days and rates are on your delivery order and vary by line, so check them before you plan the move.
How much weight can a 20 ft or 40 ft container carry on road?
A container has its own rated maximum, but on the road the binding limit is usually the legal gross vehicle weight of the trailer and its axles. Heavy cargo often fits in a 20 ft box by weight before it fills the space. Share your cargo weight so the transporter can send a trailer with the right axle configuration.
Do I need an e-way bill for a container move?
Yes, in most cases. If the goods are worth more than ₹50,000 an e-way bill is generally required for the road movement, including for imported goods moving out of the port. Your CHA or supplier usually generates it; the transporter needs its number before the truck moves.
Can I book a container truck for domestic goods?
Yes. Closed container bodies (often 20, 24 or 32 ft) are popular for domestic freight because they are sealed and weather-proof. That is a domestic full truck load rather than an EXIM container move, and it is priced per kilometre.
What should I check before booking container trucking?
Confirm the container size and gross weight, the pickup and return points for the empty, the free time on the delivery order, who pays tolls and terminal waiting, and the trailer detention rate. Get it in writing so there are no surprises at the gate.