Accessorial Charges
Accessorial charges are fees added to a freight invoice beyond the base rate for additional services or circumstances outside of standard pickup and delivery, including detention, fuel surcharge, liftgate, inside delivery, and residential delivery.
In Depth
Accessorials can add 20–40% to a base freight rate. Common ones include fuel surcharge (most loads), detention (waiting time), liftgate service (where no loading dock exists), and residential delivery (extra difficulty vs. commercial dock).
Always negotiate accessorial rates on the rate confirmation before accepting a load. Understand what each accessorial covers and document carefully to ensure payment.
Usage Example
Example: 'The final invoice included $120 detention, $85 fuel surcharge, and $75 liftgate service — total accessorials of $280 on a $1,800 base rate.'
Related Calculators
Related Terms
Detention
Detention pay is compensation for time spent waiting at a shipper or receiver beyond the agreed free time, typically 2 hours. Standard detention rates range from $50–$100/hour.
TONU (Truck Order Not Used)
TONU is a fee paid to a carrier when a shipper cancels or fails to tender freight after a truck has been dispatched and arrives at the pickup location. It compensates the driver for time and fuel wasted.
Fuel Surcharge
A fuel surcharge (FSC) is a variable fee added to a freight rate to compensate carriers for fluctuations in diesel fuel prices above a baseline level. It is calculated as a percentage of the line haul revenue, based on the current DOE national diesel price.
Rate Confirmation
A rate confirmation (rate con) is a document issued by a broker to a carrier that outlines the terms of a load: pickup and delivery locations, freight description, rate, accessorial rates (detention, TONU), and payment terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common accessorial charges?
Fuel surcharge, detention, residential delivery, liftgate, inside delivery, and redelivery are the most common.