TONU means truck ordered not used. It is a charge that may apply when a carrier has committed equipment to a shipment but the shipment is canceled, unavailable or otherwise cannot move as planned.

When can a TONU happen?

Common examples include:

  • The shipper cancels after the carrier has accepted the load.
  • The truck arrives and the freight is not available.
  • The shipment was already picked up by another carrier.
  • The load information was wrong and the truck cannot legally or physically haul the freight.
  • The facility is closed.
  • The customer changes the shipment after dispatch and the assigned equipment no longer works.
  • The pickup date changes after the carrier has already committed the truck.

Why is there a charge?

Once a carrier commits a truck, that equipment may no longer be available for another shipment.

The carrier may have:

  • Driven toward the pickup
  • Repositioned equipment
  • Turned down another load
  • Reserved driver hours
  • Planned the truck's next shipment around your load

A TONU charge helps compensate for that lost time and opportunity.

How much is a TONU?

There is no universal TONU amount.

The charge varies by carrier, market, equipment, timing and how far the truck progressed before cancellation.

Use the amount on the rate confirmation for the specific shipment.

If you want to publish a range later, use:

Typical TONU charge: [BROKER TO INSERT VERIFIED RANGE]. Your actual charge will be stated on the rate confirmation.

Cancel early when possible

The sooner you tell the broker a load is canceled or changing, the better the chance of avoiding or reducing a truck-order-not-used charge.

How can you avoid a TONU?

Before booking the truck

  • Confirm the freight is actually ready
  • Confirm the pickup date
  • Verify the pickup address
  • Check the facility hours
  • Verify weight and dimensions
  • Confirm the equipment type
  • Confirm the shipment has not been assigned elsewhere
  • Tell the broker immediately if anything changes

What if the truck is wrong for the freight?

If the equipment was booked from incorrect shipment information, the carrier may still have committed time and equipment.

That is why accurate dimensions, weight, loading method and commodity information matter before dispatch.

Use the equipment guide if you are not sure what trailer fits the shipment.

TONU vs detention

TONU usually means the truck was ordered but the load did not move.

Detention generally means the truck is still expected to move the load, but the driver is waiting longer than agreed.

What should you send your broker?

Before the carrier is dispatched, confirm:

  • Pickup date and hours
  • Freight-ready status
  • Commodity
  • Weight
  • Dimensions
  • Pallet or piece count
  • Loading method
  • Required equipment
  • Pickup contact

Not sure whether the truck should be dispatched yet?

Send me the current load details and I will help confirm the equipment and pickup requirements before a truck is committed.

Request a Freight Quote