A dry run happens when a carrier arrives at the pickup location and is unable to receive the freight for reasons beyond his or her control. Some common reasons for dry runs include:
Pick-up location hours were listed incorrectly.
The pick-up address was incorrect.
Nobody was available to receive the carrier for pick-up, or the freight was not ready for pick-up within 30 minutes of the carrier's arrival.
More freight is given than listed on BOL and the carrier is unable to fit or would be prevented from taking additional pickups as a result.
A port is too congested for the carrier to make the pickup in a timely manner.
Dry run fees for integrated shipments vary by carrier.