A lumper fee is a charge for third-party labor used to load, unload, sort or handle freight at a facility. The driver or carrier may be required to use the facility's designated lumper service before the shipment can be completed.

Where are lumpers common?

Lumper services are often associated with:

  • Grocery distribution centers
  • Foodservice warehouses
  • Refrigerated freight facilities
  • High-volume distribution centers
  • Facilities that require sorting, restacking or product separation

Not every warehouse uses lumpers.

Who pays the lumper fee?

Responsibility depends on the shipment agreement.

The carrier may pay the lumper at the facility and request reimbursement, or the broker or shipper may arrange payment another way.

Confirm the process before delivery whenever the receiver is known to use a lumper service.

Keep the receipt

A lumper receipt or other proof of payment is usually important for reimbursement and load records.

What does a lumper fee cost?

There is no universal amount.

The charge may depend on:

  • Pallet count
  • Case count
  • Product type
  • Restacking
  • Sorting requirements
  • Floor-loaded freight
  • Facility rules
  • Amount of labor required

Use the actual facility charge for the shipment rather than assuming a standard fee.

If you want to add a planning range later:

Typical lumper fee: [BROKER TO INSERT VERIFIED RANGE]. Actual charges depend on the facility and work performed.

What can increase a lumper charge?

The amount may increase when the service requires more than a simple pallet unload.

Examples include:

  • Restacking damaged or rejected pallets
  • Breaking down pallets
  • Sorting by SKU or purchase order
  • Floor unloading
  • Rewrapping
  • Rebuilding unstable pallets
  • Segregating product for multiple receivers

How do lumper fees affect detention?

A lumper process can also create waiting time.

If unloading takes longer than the carrier's agreed free time, detention may become a separate issue.

That is why the lumper fee and detention should be treated as different charges.

What should the driver document?

Lumper documentation

  • Facility name
  • Load number
  • Purchase order or receiving number
  • Amount paid
  • Receipt
  • Time unloading started
  • Time unloading finished
  • Any restacking or extra work requested

What should you tell your broker?

If you know the receiver requires a lumper, send:

  • Receiver name
  • Appointment information
  • Purchase order numbers
  • Any known lumper instructions
  • Whether the freight is palletized or floor loaded
  • Any special sorting requirements

For temperature-controlled shipments, also review the reefer requirements guide.

Can lumper fees be avoided?

Sometimes no. If the receiving facility requires its approved unloading service, the carrier may have to use it.

The best approach is to know about the requirement before delivery so payment and documentation are not a surprise.

Delivering to a facility that uses lumpers?

Send the receiver and appointment details before dispatch and I will help make sure the unloading requirements are accounted for.

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