--- title: "drop-off charge: Definition and Meaning | NPSA" description: "A drop-off charge is a one-time fee for returning a leased container to a depot." url: https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/drop-off-charge publisher: National Portable Storage Association (NPSA) phone: "(816) 960-6552" email: info@npsa.org --- Leasing and finance # drop-off charge A drop-off charge is a one-time fee for returning a leased container to a depot. One Way Lease describes it as the fee at the destination depot for accepting the unit off-hire. It is lower where demand for re-use is high and higher where the lessor has too many empty units. ## Why it matters A drop-off charge can change the real cost of a lease. A cheap daily rate with a high return fee may cost more than a higher rate with a low fee. Lessors publish drop-off lists that show where returns are welcome and where they cost more. A common mistake is to plan a return at the closest depot without checking the list. Operators should check the list before they sign and when they plan a return. The term is a lessor-to-operator fee. A customer fee for picking up a rented unit is a different charge. [Read: How to price a container rental fleet](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/pricing-a-container-rental-fleet) Definition source: [onewaylease.com](https://onewaylease.com/guides/one-way-lease) ## Related terms [### pick-up charge A pick-up charge is a fee for collecting a container. In container leasing, One Way Lease describes it as a one-time fee at the origin depot for releasing a container into the lessee's possession. In portable storage rentals, companies often charge a separate fee to pick up a unit from the customer.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/pick-up-charge)[### off-hire Off-hire is the end of a container lease when the lessee returns the unit. One Way Lease describes it as the return process: the depot does a condition survey, the lease closes and the unit comes off the lessee's books. The term is common in container leasing.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/off-hire)[### on-hire On-hire is the point when a lessee takes possession of a leased container. One Way Lease says the condition is documented on the equipment interchange receipt, and the on-hire record starts the clock. The term comes from container leasing and applies to similar equipment deals.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/on-hire)[### per diem Per diem is Latin for "per day." In container leasing, it is the daily rate a lessee pays for each day a leased container is on-hire after any included free days. Lessors use it to price short and flexible leases, and it adds up quickly on idle units.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/per-diem)[### master lease A master lease is a framework lease between a container owner and a lessee. Triton says its master lease suits companies that scale a fleet up or down with demand and need flexibility to pick up and drop off units. Exact terms differ by lessor, so each contract needs a careful read.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/master-lease)[### container yard A container yard is an area where shipping containers are stored, staged and moved between trucks, rail and ships. In shipping, a container yard sits at or near a port, rail terminal or inland depot and holds both loaded and empty containers.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/container-yard) [All 220 terms](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary) For the industry ## Grow your portable storage business with NPSA Members get event rates, the Community Forum, the directory listing and leads from this website. [Join NPSA](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/join-us)[See member benefits](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/member-benefits) Need storage? ## Get quotes from NPSA member companies Tell us what you need and where. A member company that serves your area will contact you. [Request a quote](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/request-a-quote)[Which unit do I need?](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/find-storage)