What are freight accessorial charges?

Freight accessorial charges are fees for services, delays or conditions that fall outside the normal linehaul transportation charge. They usually come from something about the pickup, delivery, handling, timing or equipment that changes how the carrier has to perform the load.

Common freight accessorials

Accessorials vary by carrier and shipment type, but common examples include:

• Detention: The driver is held beyond the agreed free time at pickup or delivery.
• Layover: A delay forces the driver or truck to wait until a later day or appointment window.
• TONU: A truck is ordered and then canceled after the carrier has committed equipment or started moving toward the load.
• Lumper: A third-party unloading service charges to unload or handle the freight.
• Liftgate service: A truck-mounted lift is needed because a dock or forklift is not available.
• Residential service: Pickup or delivery takes place at a residential location.
• Appointment service: The facility requires a scheduled delivery or pickup window.
• Inside delivery or special handling: Freight must move beyond a normal dock or curbside handoff.
• Reconsignment or address change: The destination changes after the shipment is already in motion.

What causes unexpected accessorial charges?

Most surprises come from missing information.

Examples:

• The receiver requires an appointment, but the carrier was not told.
• The pickup location has no dock and needs a liftgate.
• The driver waits several hours because the freight is not ready.
• A truck is canceled after the carrier has already committed.
• The receiver requires a lumper service.
• The delivery address turns out to be residential.
• The freight dimensions or handling requirements differ from what was quoted.

What should you send before getting a quote?

Ask what is included in the rate

Before the load moves, confirm which services are included and which are chargeable.

Useful questions include:

• Is detention free time defined on the rate confirmation?
• What happens if the pickup or delivery rolls to the next day?
• Is a truck-order-not-used charge listed?
• Are appointment or residential services included?
• Who is responsible for lumper charges?
• Does the carrier need advance notice for a liftgate or other special equipment?

How detention, layover, TONU and lumper fees differ

These charges are related, but they are not interchangeable.

• Detention is usually about excessive waiting time during the same pickup or delivery event.
• Layover usually applies when the delay pushes the driver or equipment into a later day or substantially changes the trip.
• TONU applies when a truck was committed but the load is canceled or cannot move.
• Lumper fees are charges for third-party loading or unloading labor.

Read the individual guides for more detail:

• Detention
• Layover
• TONU
• Lumper fees

How to reduce accessorial charges

You cannot eliminate every accessorial, but you can prevent many of them.

1. Give complete shipment details before booking.
2. Confirm facility hours and appointment requirements.
3. Make sure the freight is ready before the truck arrives.
4. Tell the broker about special equipment before dispatch.
5. Keep pickup and delivery contacts reachable.
6. Report delays as soon as you know about them.
7. Review the rate confirmation so you understand the terms before the load moves.