Drop

In freight and logistics, a “drop” refers to the act of a truck driver delivering a loaded trailer or container at a facility and leaving it for the receiver to unload at their convenience, rather than waiting at the dock while the cargo is unloaded. The driver disconnects the trailer from the tractor, drops it in the facility’s yard, and departs with an empty trailer or bobtails (drives without a trailer) to the next assignment. This practice is also called a “drop and hook” or “trailer drop” depending on the context and region.

Drop vs. Live Unload

The alternative to a drop is a live unload (also called a “live” or “stay and unload”), where the driver backs into a dock door and waits while the warehouse team unloads the trailer. Live unloads require the driver to remain on-site for the entire unloading process, which can take one to four hours depending on the cargo type, the number of pallets, and the warehouse’s labor capacity. During that time, the driver is not earning revenue on another haul, and the truck sits idle.

Carriers strongly prefer drops because they keep trucks moving. A driver who drops a trailer in 15 minutes can pick up a preloaded trailer at the same facility and immediately head to the next delivery. This efficiency matters because trucking economics revolve around miles driven per day. Hours spent waiting at a dock are hours not spent hauling freight. Many carriers charge detention fees ($50 to $100 per hour) when live unload times exceed a two-hour window, creating a direct financial incentive for receivers to accept drops instead.

Requirements for Accepting Drops

Not every facility can accept trailer drops. The receiver must have sufficient yard space to park dropped trailers. A warehouse receiving five trailer drops per day needs at least five to ten open parking spots, plus space for trailers being unloaded and empties waiting for pickup. Smaller facilities with tight lots may not have the physical space, forcing them to schedule live unloads instead.

The facility also needs its own yard jockey or spotter truck to move dropped trailers to and from the dock doors. Without a spotter, dropped trailers sit wherever the driver left them, and a dock door cannot be freed up for the next trailer. Larger 3PL warehouses and distribution centers typically operate one or more spotters to manage yard flow. Smaller prep centers may need to coordinate with a local yard management service.

Insurance and liability considerations apply as well. While the trailer sits in the receiver’s yard, responsibility for the cargo and the equipment shifts. The receiver should confirm with their insurance provider that their general liability and property coverage extends to trailers parked on their premises. Theft, weather damage, and accidental damage to the trailer are all risks during the drop period.

Drop Fees and Carrier Agreements

Some carriers charge a drop fee to compensate for leaving their trailer at the receiver’s facility. This fee ranges from $50 to $150 per drop, depending on the carrier and the expected dwell time. The fee reflects the carrier’s cost of having a trailer out of service while it sits in the receiver’s yard. If the receiver holds the trailer for more than 24 to 48 hours, daily trailer usage fees (also called per diem or trailer detention) may apply, typically $50 to $100 per day.

Negotiating drop privileges as part of a freight contract benefits both parties. The carrier gets faster turn times and better asset utilization. The receiver gets flexible unloading schedules and avoids the pressure of unloading a live truck within a two-hour window. For high-volume operations receiving multiple truckloads daily, drops are the standard operating procedure.

Drops in the FBA Supply Chain

Amazon’s fulfillment centers generally operate on an appointment-based live unload system for most inbound deliveries. However, larger vendors on Vendor Central with consistent volume may arrange trailer drops at Amazon facilities. For third-party sellers shipping to Amazon through a prep center, the prep center receives the drop from the carrier, unloads and processes the cargo, then sends prepared shipments to Amazon on the prep center’s own trucks or through partnered carriers.