Drayage (Material Handling)

Category: business

The logistical processing fee charged by an exhibition venue for moving a vendor’s materials from the loading dock to their specific booth.

Drayage is an often-overlooked expense in trade show budgeting. It is calculated based on the total weight of the incoming freight crates (per hundredweight, or CWT). It covers warehouse storage, forklift transit to the convention floor, and empty crate removal post-event.

Common Examples

• The exhibition carrier added a substantial drayage charge to the invoice because our custom steel display rigs weighed over three tons.
• Understanding the venue's specific drayage calculation rules prevents unexpected cost surprises during post-show financial reconciliation.