A drop in logistics usually refers to leaving a trailer, container, package, or shipment at a designated location for later handling, loading, unloading, pickup, or delivery. In freight operations, a carrier may “drop” a trailer at a warehouse, yard, terminal, or customer facility instead of waiting for immediate unloading. Drops help create flexibility for shippers and receivers, but they may involve equipment tracking, yard management, appointment scheduling, and additional fees if the equipment is held too long.
In trucking, a ‘drop’ is a delivery where the driver leaves a loaded trailer or container at the consignee’s location without waiting for it to be unloaded. The consignee unloads at their own pace and the equipment is collected later.
- Also called drop trailer or drop and hook in full truckload operations
- More flexible than live unload as it does not tie up the driver during unloading
- A drop fee is charged for the time the equipment remains at the consignee’s location
- Requires sufficient trailer or chassis pool to support drop operations at the delivery location
For related logistics context, see glossary entries on Drop Fee, Detention, Live Unload, and Drayage.
