Trade Show Drayage Cost & Material Handling Explained
Drayage (material handling) is the charge to receive your freight, move it to your booth, store empties, and reload after the show. It surprises many exhibitors. Here is how it is priced and how to estimate it.
How drayage is priced
- Per cwt (per 100 lbs) or per lb, depending on the contractor
- Advance warehouse rates are lower than direct-to-show-site and much lower than floor/overtime rates
- Minimums apply (often a 200–300 lb minimum per shipment)
- Crated vs. uncrated vs. special handling change the rate
Estimate: (booth weight in lbs ÷ 100) × per-cwt rate, or booth weight × per-lb rate. BoothFlip's per-show estimator uses each show's real published rate. See verified rates on popular show pages:
BoothFlip is an independent marketplace and exhibitor planning resource. We are not affiliated with any show organizer or official contractor. Always confirm rules, rates and deadlines with the official show and its service kit.