By JA Transportation & Warehousing ·
Not every business needs a warehouse lease. Many shippers, drivers, and small companies only need a proper dock for a few hours — to unload a trailer, split a shipment, or move freight from one truck to another. Renting a dock by the hour gives you that access without a long-term commitment.
Common reasons to rent a dock by the hour
- Your truck has no liftgate and the freight is palletized.
- A delivery was refused and the load needs somewhere to go today.
- You need to transload freight from a trailer into smaller trucks.
- You are receiving a one-off container or a seasonal shipment.
- A load needs to be re-stacked, re-wrapped, or re-labeled before delivery.
Renting vs. leasing: the simple comparison
A lease makes sense when you move freight every day. If you only need dock access a few times a month, a lease means paying for space that sits empty. Hourly rental means you pay only for the time you use. At our Philadelphia warehouse, dock rental is $290 per hour per dock, and you pick the date and time online.
What to have ready before you book
- The size of your truck or trailer (box truck, 53-foot dry van, etc.).
- Roughly how many pallets or pieces you are moving.
- Whether you need forklift help or labor.
- Your preferred date and arrival time.
If the job involves more than unloading — like palletizing or stretch wrapping — see our warehouse handling services. If the freight needs to stay a while, pallet storage is billed per pallet per month.
Frequently asked
Is my booking confirmed right away? No — our team reviews every request and confirms the time with you. Can I stay longer than planned? Tell us when you book or call our team; extra time depends on the schedule that day.
