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South Africa, Eastern Cape

Container Truck Hire in South Africa, Eastern Cape

20ft, 40ft and superlink container haulage — skeletal trailers, flatdeck links and twist-locks. Port-to-inland, ICD, and cross-border container delivery. Fully insured.

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Container Truck Hire in South Africa, Eastern Cape — 20ft, 40ft & Superlink Container Haulage

Container truck for hire in South Africa, Eastern Cape — 20ft, 40ft and superlink container haulage with skeletal trailer

Verified transporter: container truck hire in South Africa, Eastern Cape, Reena. Available for port shuttles, port-to-inland, ICD, and cross-border container haulage.

Quick answer

A container truck is a truck-tractor towing a skeletal trailer or flatdeck link fitted with twist-locks that lock the shipping container to the trailer. In South Africa, Eastern Cape you can hire a container truck to move 6 m (20 ft) containers, 12 m (40 ft) containers, two 6 m containers on one trailer, or two 40 ft containers on a superlink. Prices start from R1,020.00 per day or R17.00 per km with a driver. Used for port-to-inland delivery, ICD shuttles, rail terminal transfers, and cross-border container haulage.

Why Container Trucks Are the Backbone of South African Import-Export Logistics

Every day, thousands of shipping containers move through South Africa's ports — Durban (the busiest container port in Africa), Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Coega, and Richards Bay. Every one of those containers has to get from the port quay to an inland depot, a distribution centre, a factory, or a consignee's premises — and then the empty container has to get back. That vast two-way flow of loaded and empty containers is the backbone of the country's import-export economy, and the container truck is the vehicle that makes it work. From the quayside at Pier 1 in Durban to a warehouse in Gauteng, or from Ngqura to an assembly plant in the Eastern Cape, the container truck is the last mile — and usually the longest mile — of every container movement.

The container truck is not just a flatbed with different lashing points. It is a purpose-built vehicle whose entire design revolves around one component: the twist-lock. Every ISO shipping container has four corner castings — reinforced holes at each top and bottom corner. The trailer has four twist-locks — rotating cones that engage those castings and lock the container in place. That mechanical interface is what allows a 30-tonne steel box to travel safely at 80 km/h on the N3, corner without sliding, and be loaded and unloaded by cranes or reach-stackers at each end without special rigging. The twist-lock is the unsung hero of global trade, and every container truck we hire out is fitted with correctly matched twist-locks for the container being carried — 20 ft locks for 20 ft containers, 40 ft locks for 40 ft containers, or both for a trailer that carries either size.

At a Glance — Container Truck Specifications

Container sizes6 m (20 ft) · 12 m (40 ft) · high-cube (HC) · two 6 m on one trailer · two 12 m on a superlink
Container typesStandard · High-Cube · Reefer (with genset) · Open-top · Flat-rack · Tank container · Side-door
Trailer configurationsSkeletal (bare chassis with twist-locks) · Flatdeck link (with container pins) · Superlink (two trailers in series)
Twist-locksFour per container position — 20 ft, 40 ft, or adjustable (both)
Payload capacityUp to 34,000 kg (including container tare weight)
Typical 40 ft containerTare 3,800 kg · Max gross 30,480 kg · Cargo capacity 26,680 kg
Typical 20 ft containerTare 2,200 kg · Max gross 24,000 kg · Cargo capacity 21,800 kg
Genset supportAvailable for reefer containers — clip-on diesel genset for road operation
Licence requiredCode EC + PrDP for goods transport
Driver suppliedYes — Code EC drivers with port, terminal, and ICD experience
Service areaSouth Africa, Eastern Cape, Reena, all major SA ports, ICDs, and cross-border

Choose Your Container Truck Configuration

Container trucks come in several configurations, each suited to different container sizes, cargo types, and operating conditions. The right choice depends on the container size, the total weight, whether the container is loaded or empty, and the access and handling conditions at both ends. Here are the four container truck configurations most requested in South Africa, Eastern Cape.

6 m (20 ft) Container Truck Hire

20 ft containerOne or two per loadDistribution & factory

The 6 m (20 ft) container truck carries a single 20 ft container on a short skeletal trailer, or two 20 ft containers on a longer trailer — usually on a flatdeck link with adjustable twist-locks. A 20 ft container has a tare weight of around 2,200 kg and a maximum gross weight of around 24,000 kg, giving a cargo capacity of approximately 21,800 kg. The 20 ft configuration is the standard for smaller consignments, factory-to-warehouse deliveries, and distribution-centre shuttle work where the container is packed and unpacked at the destination rather than loaded and unloaded as a full container.

Best for: smaller consignments, factory-to-warehouse deliveries, distribution-centre shuttles, single-container deliveries to premises without container handling equipment, and two-20-ft movements for paired consignments.

Typical industries: manufacturing, wholesale distribution, retail supply chain, food and beverage importers, and small-volume exporters.

Why customers choose it: the most flexible container configuration. A 20 ft container fits into tighter yards and premises access, and the option to carry two containers on one trailer gives a significant cost advantage on paired consignments.

12 m (40 ft) Container Truck Hire

40 ft containerStandard workhorsePort-to-inland

The 12 m (40 ft) container truck is the standard workhorse of South African container haulage. It is a truck-tractor towing a skeletal trailer configured for a single 40 ft container — the most common container type for import and export freight. The trailer is fitted with 40 ft twist-locks at the correct positions to lock the container to the chassis. A 40 ft container has a tare weight of around 3,800 kg and a maximum gross weight of around 30,480 kg, giving a cargo capacity of approximately 26,680 kg. The 40 ft configuration is the default for port-to-inland haulage on the Durban-Gauteng corridor, the Cape Town-Gauteng corridor, and the Eastern Cape-Gauteng corridor.

Best for: port-to-inland container haulage, ICD transfers, rail terminal shuttles, full-container-load (FCL) import and export, and any standard container movement between ports, depots, and inland destinations.

Typical industries: shipping lines and freight forwarders, importers and exporters, third-party logistics operators, retail supply chain, and industrial importers.

Why customers choose it: the most common container size and the most common container truck configuration in South Africa. Every container terminal, ICD, and rail siding is designed around the 40 ft container, and the 34 ton container truck with a skeletal trailer is the standard vehicle for moving it.

Superlink Container Truck Hire

Two trailersTwo 40 ft containersMax volume

The superlink container truck is a truck-tractor towing two skeletal trailers in series — usually a 12 to 13.5 m lead trailer and an 8 to 10 m pup trailer, connected by a converter dolly. It carries two 40 ft containers (or four 20 ft containers, or combinations) on a single tractor. The superlink is the highest-volume container configuration available on South African roads, and it is the standard for high-density import-export contracts where the volume justifies the two-trailer setup. It is used primarily on the Durban-Gauteng corridor and between ports and large inland depots where yard space and terminal infrastructure can accommodate the combination.

Best for: high-volume import-export contracts, port-to-inland container haulage at scale, and any container movement where the volume justifies a two-trailer combination.

Typical industries: major shipping lines, large freight forwarders, 3PL operators on the Durban-Gauteng corridor, and high-volume importers and exporters.

Why customers choose it: one tractor and one driver do the work of two single-trailer runs. Fuel cost per container-kilometre drops significantly, and the superlink is the standard configuration for large-volume container contracts.

Reefer Container Truck Hire

Reefer containerWith gensetCold chain import-export

The reefer container truck carries a refrigerated shipping container — the same 20 ft or 40 ft dimensions as a standard container, but with an integrated refrigeration unit and insulated walls. The truck configuration is essentially the same as for a standard container: skeletal trailer, twist-locks, and correct chassis length. The additional requirement is power for the reefer unit. While on the terminal, the container runs off an external power supply. While on the road, the container runs off a clip-on diesel genset — a small generator that mounts to the container front and powers the reefer unit during transit. We supply the genset with the trailer where required. The reefer truck is the standard configuration for temperature-sensitive import and export cargo: pharmaceuticals, food, dairy, meat, seafood, and perishables.

Best for: temperature-sensitive imports and exports (pharmaceuticals, food, dairy, meat, seafood, perishables), port-to-inland reefer container movements, and any container that must hold a temperature set point while in transit.

Typical industries: pharmaceutical importers, food and beverage importers, meat and seafood exporters, fresh produce exporters, and cold chain 3PLs.

Why customers choose it: the reefer container itself does the cooling — the truck supplies the transport and the genset power. That means the cold chain is unbroken from the moment the container leaves the ship to the moment it arrives at the destination, even on a 30-hour Durban-to-Gauteng run.

Skeletal vs Flatdeck Link — Choosing the Right Container Trailer

Feature Skeletal Trailer Flatdeck Link
Structure Bare chassis with twist-locks Flat platform with container pins or twist-locks
Tare weight Lower — more payload for containers Higher — slightly less container payload
Container compatibility Excellent — purpose-built Good — with correct pins
Other cargo Containers only Containers, steel, machinery, general freight
Best for Dedicated container work, port shuttles Mixed cargo, one-day containers next-day steel
Typical use Shipping lines, container depots Freight forwarders, multi-cargo operators

Not sure which trailer suits your container job? Send us the container size, type, and weight on WhatsApp and we will recommend the correct configuration — free of charge.

South African Container Ports & Corridors

South Africa has five major container ports, and each serves a specific inland corridor. Here is a quick reference to the ports, their main corridors, and typical transit times from South Africa, Eastern Cape:

PortMain inland corridorTypical transit time
Durban (Africa's busiest)N3 to Gauteng via Pietermaritzburg, Harrismith, Warden, Villiers12 – 18 hours
Cape TownN1 to Gauteng via Beaufort West, Kimberley, Bloemfontein24 – 30 hours
Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay)N10 and N2 to Gauteng via Cradock, Bloemfontein18 – 24 hours
Coega (Ngqura)N10 to Gauteng and N2 to Cape Town18 – 24 hours
Richards BayN2 to Durban and N17 to Gauteng for bulk containers12 – 20 hours

Long-distance container corridors from South Africa, Eastern Cape include runs to Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Coega, Richards Bay, and inland ICDs at City Deep, Kaserne, and Isando. Cross-border container haulage runs into Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique — typically from Durban and Richards Bay.

Container Truck Hire Prices in South Africa, Eastern Cape

Container truck hire pricing depends on the container size, the trailer configuration, the container weight, the distance, and whether the trip is a port shuttle, a port-to-inland run, or a cross-border movement. The two standard options below cover the vast majority of bookings.

Option 1 — Truck + Trailer Only

Self-drive, no driver

R 1,020.00 / Day
R 17.00 / km

Code EC licence + PrDP required. Fuel, tolls and driver excluded. Port access training required.

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Option 2 — Truck + Driver

Full day with professional driver Best value

R 1,190.00 / Day
R 18.70 / km

Driver, insurance and GIT cover included. Port, terminal and ICD experienced.

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What Affects the Cost of Container Truck Hire?

  • Container size: a 40 ft container move costs more than a 20 ft move because of the trailer length and the total weight. Two-container moves (2×20 ft or superlink 2×40 ft) are priced per combination, not per container.
  • Container weight: heavy containers (approaching 30,480 kg gross) require careful axle-loading verification but do not usually attract a premium — you are paying for the trailer and the distance, not the weight within legal limits.
  • Trailer configuration: skeletal trailers are cheaper to hire than flatdeck links for container work, because they are lighter and purpose-built. Flatdeck links cost marginally more because they are more versatile.
  • Distance: the per-kilometre rate drives your final price. Port shuttles are charged differently from long-distance port-to-inland runs and cross-border movements.
  • Waiting time at the port or terminal: port entry, gate-in, container loading, and gate-out can take 2 to 6 hours depending on the terminal and the time of day. Waiting time beyond the agreed free period is charged hourly.
  • Reefer genset: supplied with the trailer where required. Genset hire and fuel are quoted separately for reefer container movements.
  • Container handling at destination: where the consignee does not have container handling equipment, we can arrange a crane truck or side-loader to offload the container at destination. Quoted separately.
  • Cross-border documentation: COMESA Yellow Card, bilateral permits, TIP, transit bond, and customs clearance are quoted separately for cross-border container work.
  • Duration and contract: weekly, monthly and long-term container contracts attract significant discounts over daily rates. Freight forwarders and 3PLs on the Durban-Gauteng corridor typically run monthly contracts.

Industries We Serve with Container Trucks in South Africa, Eastern Cape

  • Shipping lines & freight forwarders: port shuttle, ICD transfers, and container repositioning on all major corridors.
  • Importers & exporters: FCL (full-container-load) import and export deliveries between port, factory, and warehouse.
  • Third-party logistics operators: container haulage on contract for shipping lines and freight forwarders on the Durban-Gauteng, Cape Town-Gauteng, and Eastern Cape-Gauteng corridors.
  • Retail & FMCG: imported container deliveries to distribution centres and stores.
  • Manufacturing: component and raw material imports, and finished goods exports.
  • Pharmaceuticals & healthcare: reefer container movements for temperature-sensitive imports and exports.
  • Food & beverage: reefer container movements for meat, dairy, seafood, and fresh produce export and import.
  • Automotive: component imports and finished-vehicle component exports in containers.
  • Chemical & industrial: bulk liquid tank container movements and packaged chemical imports.
  • Cross-border traders: container haulage into Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique from Durban and Richards Bay.

Container Types We Haul

Different container types have different trailer and twist-lock requirements. Here is a quick reference to the container types we routinely handle and any special configuration required:

Container typeTrailer requirementNotes
Standard 20 ft / 40 ftSkeletal or flatdeck with correct twist-locksThe default — no special configuration required
High-Cube (HC)Standard twist-locksTaller than standard (2.9 m vs 2.6 m) — check bridge and route clearance
Reefer (refrigerated)Standard twist-locks + genset clip-onRequires genset for road operation, or a plug point where parked
Open-topStandard twist-locksLoaded by crane from above through a removable tarpaulin roof
Flat-rackStandard twist-locksNo sides or roof — oversized or awkward cargo
Tank container (ISO tank)Standard twist-locksBulk liquid transport — full documentation required
Side-door containerStandard twist-locksFull-length side opening for forklift loading
Double-stack (uncommon in SA)Specialist trailerRail and limited-road use — quoted per project

How to Book a Container Truck in South Africa, Eastern Cape

  1. Tell us about the container. Enter the container size (20 ft or 40 ft), type (standard, high-cube, reefer, etc.), gross weight, pickup point, and drop-off point in the free estimate form on this page.
  2. Get an instant distance and fare. Our system calculates the road distance and your estimated fare immediately — no waiting for a callback.
  3. Choose your trailer configuration. Skeletal, flatdeck link, or superlink; single or double container; self-drive or with driver; genset for reefer containers.
  4. Confirm your booking. Submit the form or message us on WhatsApp. You will receive written confirmation with the trailer details, twist-lock configuration, driver details, and final price.
  5. Port or terminal arrangements. For port movements we confirm gate-in procedures, terminal access, and where required, container handling arrangements at the destination.
  6. Cross-border container trips: we will confirm permits, customs documentation, container sealing, and cross-border requirements before departure.

Why Choose WeTransport for Container Truck Hire

Verified & Fully Insured

Every container truck is licensed, roadworthy, and covered by comprehensive insurance plus goods-in-transit cover for the container and its cargo.

Correct Twist-Lock Configuration

Every trailer is fitted with the correct twist-locks for the container being carried — 20 ft, 40 ft, or adjustable. Twist-locks checked before every departure.

Port, Terminal & ICD Experienced Drivers

Drivers who know the gate procedures, terminal systems, and container weight verification requirements at every major South African port.

Reefer Genset Supplied

Clip-on diesel gensets supplied with the trailer where required, so reefer containers hold temperature through the entire road journey.

Cross-Border Container Ready

COMESA Yellow Card, bilateral permits, TIP, transit bond, and customs documentation arranged for cross-border container movements.

Transparent Pricing

Clear per-day and per-kilometre rates quoted up front. No hidden call-out fees or surprise surcharges on container contracts.

Container Truck Hire in Reena and Nearby Areas

We arrange container truck hire throughout South Africa, Eastern Cape and the greater Reena region, including port shuttles, port-to-inland container haulage, ICD transfers, rail terminal shuttles, and cross-border container movements. Popular container truck routes from South Africa, Eastern Cape include runs to Durban (N3), Cape Town (N1), Port Elizabeth and Coega (N10), Richards Bay (N2 and N17), and cross-border to Gaborone, Harare, Lusaka, and Maputo.

Insurance, Tracking & Compliance

  • Insurance: Yes Active
  • Live tracking: Live GPS tracking available
  • Goods in transit: Yes Active
  • Driver compliance: valid Code EC licence, valid PrDP for goods transport, medical fitness certificate, and port access clearance where required
  • Vehicle compliance: current licence disc, roadworthy certificate, operator card, calibrated tachograph where required, and current twist-lock inspection certificate
  • Container compliance: twist-locks matched to container size and type; container seals verified and recorded where required
  • Overload compliance: container gross weight verified against trailer plate and GCM limits before departure; weighbridge certificates available on request
  • Reefer compliance: genset supplied and fuelled where required; temperature set point confirmed at loading and monitored in transit
  • Cross-border compliance: COMESA Yellow Card, bilateral permits, TIP, transit bond, and country-specific GIT confirmation arranged per corridor

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Container Truck Hire — Frequently Asked Questions

A container truck for hire in South Africa, Eastern Cape starts from R1,020.00 per day for the truck only, or R1,190.00 per day with a professional driver included. The per-kilometre rate starts at R17.00 per km (R18.70 per km with a driver). Final pricing depends on the container size (6 m / 20 ft, 12 m / 40 ft, or two 6 m containers), the trailer configuration (skeletal, flatdeck link, or superlink), whether the container is loaded or empty, the pickup and drop-off points, and whether the trip is a port shuttle, an inland delivery, or a cross-border movement. Use the free estimate form on this page for an instant, no-obligation quote.

A container truck — also called a container carrier, skeletal trailer, or container-haulage rig — is an articulated truck-tractor towing a trailer specifically designed to carry shipping containers. The trailer is usually a skeletal trailer (a bare chassis with twist-locks at each corner) or a flatdeck link fitted with container pins. The twist-locks are the key component — they engage the corner castings of the container and lock it in place for transport. Container trucks are the standard configuration for moving shipping containers between ports, inland container depots (ICDs), rail terminals, and consignee premises. In South Africa the main container corridors run from the ports of Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Coega, and Richards Bay to inland depots in Gauteng, and onward to cross-border destinations in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and the DRC.

A standard 34 ton container truck can carry one 12 m (40 ft) shipping container, or two 6 m (20 ft) containers, subject to the total payload and axle-loading limits. A 34 ton superlink can carry two 12 m (40 ft) containers — one on each trailer — for maximum volume on high-density export and import flows. A 34 ton container truck can also carry high-cube (HC) containers, which are taller (2.9 m) than standard containers, and open-top, flat-rack, and reefer containers where the trailer is fitted with the correct fittings. Smaller 8–10 ton container trucks can carry a single 6 m (20 ft) container where the container weight and axle-loading permit. Always tell us the container size, type (standard, high-cube, reefer, flat-rack, open-top), and gross weight at quote stage.

A skeletal trailer — also called a skeleton trailer or container chassis — is a trailer frame consisting of a steel chassis with twist-locks at the four corners and no deck or sides. The container itself forms the load body. The skeletal trailer is specifically designed for container haulage: it is lightweight (which maximises payload), it has the exact length to support a 6 m (20 ft) or 12 m (40 ft) container, and its twist-locks lock the container in place for safe transport. Skeletal trailers are the standard configuration for port shuttle work and long-haul container delivery. They are less versatile than a flatdeck link — a flatdeck can carry containers as well as steel, machinery, and other cargo — but for dedicated container work, the skeletal trailer is the more efficient and lighter option.

A flatdeck link is a trailer with a flat open platform, usually 12 to 13.5 m long, with no sides, roof, or curtains. It can be fitted with twist-locks or container pins, which makes it capable of carrying shipping containers. A flatdeck link is more versatile than a skeletal trailer because it can also carry structural steel, machinery, oversized loads, and general freight — so a customer who needs to move containers one day and steel the next can use the same trailer. The trade-off is that a flatdeck is heavier than a skeletal trailer, which reduces the maximum container payload by around 1,000 to 2,000 kg. For dedicated container work, a skeletal trailer is usually the better choice; for mixed cargo, a flatdeck link with container pins is more flexible.

A twist-lock is the latching mechanism that locks a shipping container to a trailer, a ship, a rail wagon, or a stack. It consists of a rotating cone that engages the corner casting of the container and locks into place when turned 90 degrees. Every ISO shipping container has four corner castings — one at each top and bottom corner — and every container-carrying trailer has four twist-locks (or eight for a superlink, or four per container position). The twist-locks are the single most important safety component of container haulage: a container that is not properly locked to the trailer can slide off during braking, cornering, or road camber change. We confirm that every trailer we supply is fitted with the correct twist-locks for the container type you are moving, and our drivers check the locks before departure.

Yes. Every container truck we list is hired with a licensed, experienced driver. Our container truck drivers hold a Code EC licence with a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) for goods transport, are medically certified, and are experienced with port operations, container terminals, ICDs, and long-haul container corridors. Container-haulage driving requires specific skills — port entry and exit procedures, terminal gate systems, twist-lock checks, container weight verification, and safe cornering with a high-CG load. Our drivers are trained on all of these. If you prefer to drive yourself, we will confirm the licence and terminal-access requirements at booking.

Yes. Container trucks routinely carry loaded containers — that is the standard use case. The limiting factor is the container's gross weight (container tare weight plus cargo weight), which must not exceed the trailer's payload capacity or the combination's GCM limit. A standard 12 m (40 ft) container has a tare weight of around 3,800 kg and a maximum gross weight of 30,480 kg, giving a cargo capacity of approximately 26,680 kg. A 34 ton container truck on the 56,000 kg GCM limit can comfortably carry a fully loaded container within these limits. Where the gross weight approaches the limit, we verify axle-loading and confirm the correct trailer and twist-lock configuration. Tell us the container's gross weight (from the shipping documents) at quote stage.

Yes. Port-to-inland container haulage is the primary use case for container trucks in South Africa. The main corridors are: Durban to Gauteng (the busiest container corridor in the country, running on the N3); Cape Town to Gauteng and the Garden Route; Port Elizabeth and Coega to Gauteng and the Eastern Cape interior; and Richards Bay to Gauteng for bulk container traffic. Typical transit times are: Durban to Johannesburg 12 to 18 hours; Cape Town to Johannesburg 24 to 30 hours; Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg 18 to 24 hours. Port entry, terminal gate systems, and container weight verification require specific driver experience — our drivers handle this routinely.

Yes. Reefer (refrigerated) containers are carried on the same skeletal trailers and flatdeck links as standard containers — the container itself contains the refrigeration unit, which runs off an external power supply while on the terminal and off its own diesel generator or a clip-on genset while on the road. The trailer does not need to provide any refrigeration capability; it just needs the correct twist-locks (which are the same as for a standard container) and, for a genset-equipped reefer, enough chassis space for the genset. If the container is a reefer and it will be in transit for more than a few hours, a genset must be fitted to the container or supplied by us. Tell us at quote stage if you are moving a reefer container and whether a genset is required.

Yes. We arrange cross-border container haulage into Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and the DRC — primarily from the ports of Durban and Richards Bay to inland destinations. Cross-border container work requires COMESA Yellow Card third-party insurance, bilateral road transport permits, TIP or transit bond documentation for the container, customs documentation for the cargo, and confirmed GIT cover per country. Cross-border container trips typically require 72 hours' advance notice for documentation, container sealing, and terminal gate arrangements. Contact us on WhatsApp on +27 62 345 2345 for a corridor-specific container quote.

Enter your pickup point, drop-off point, container size (6 m / 20 ft or 12 m / 40 ft), container type, and gross weight in the free estimate form on this page. Our system calculates the distance and fare instantly. A container haulage specialist then confirms the correct trailer configuration and twist-lock setup. You can then confirm your container truck booking online or via WhatsApp on +27 62 345 2345. Same-day and next-day bookings are usually available across South Africa, Eastern Cape and surrounds, but port-to-inland and cross-border container movements should be booked 48 to 72 hours in advance so we confirm terminal gate arrangements, permits, and driver scheduling.