What are accessorial/service fees, and when might they apply?

Accessorial or Service fees (also called accessorial charges or add-ons) are additional costs beyond the base freight rate and fuel surcharge. They cover extra services, equipment, or circumstances required for pickup, handling, or delivery that aren't part of a standard shipment.

These fees help carriers recover costs for non-routine work and can significantly impact the total price—especially on LTL shipments, where they're more common due to varied handling needs.

Common accessorial fees and when they typically apply:

• Liftgate Service

  When: Delivery (or pickup) location has no loading dock/forklift (e.g., small businesses, retail stores, homes).Typical cost: $25–$75 per use.Tip: Specify if needed upfront—many carriers charge even if the driver doesn't end up using it.

• Residential Delivery / Pickup

  When: Origin or destination is a home, apartment, farm, or non-commercial address (no business zoning).Typical cost: $25–$110+ (often combined with liftgate if required).Tip: Commercial addresses (even in residential-looking areas) usually avoid this.

• Inside Delivery / Pickup

  When: Freight must be carried beyond the trailer's back door. Typical cost: $50–$300+ depending on distance, stairs, and weight.Tip: Limited to around 100 ft in many cases; driver assistance only—no heavy machinery.

• Appointment / Notification

  When: Receiver requires a specific time window or advance call before delivery (common for retail or controlled locations).Typical cost: $0 - $50.Tip: Standard LTL often has broad delivery windows; appointments add predictability but cost extra.

• Detention

  When: Driver waits beyond free time (usually 1–2 hours for loading/unloading) due to delays at origin or destination.Typical cost: $50–$150 per hour (after free time).Tip: FTL detention is more common on dedicated loads; plan efficient loading to avoid.

• Driver Assist / Helper / Labor

  When: Extra hands needed for loading/unloading (e.g., no forklift onsite).Typical cost: $50–$150 per hour or flat fee.

• Reweigh / Reclass

  When: Actual weight or freight class differs from quoted (e.g., under-declared weight or misclassified density).Typical cost: $50–$200+ correction fee + rate adjustment.Tip: Always measure/weight accurately—big savings here.

• Sorting / Segregating

  When: Multiple SKUs/pallets need separation or special organization at delivery.Typical cost: $50–$150+.

• Limited Access / Difficult Access

  When: Location has tight turns, low clearance, long driveways, or other challenges (e.g., islands, remote areas).Typical cost: $50–$300.

• Other common ones

  • Redelivery (if missed appointment): $100–$300+.

  • Storage (if not picked up/delivered promptly): Daily fees after free time.

  • Tarps / Securement (flatbed): $50–$200.

  • Fuel surcharge adjustments or holiday surcharges (seasonal).

Key notes:

• Accessorials are quoted upfront when possible, but some (like detention or reweigh) are assessed after the fact if unforeseen.

• LTL sees more accessorials due to consolidation and varied receivers; FTL has fewer but higher-impact ones (e.g., detention on dedicated trucks).

• Always disclose needs in your quote request—transparent details prevent surprises and let us shop carriers with lower add-on structures.

• Volume shippers can sometimes negotiate waivers or caps on certain fees.

To minimize accessorials: Use commercial docks when possible, schedule properly, prep freight well, and communicate requirements early. When we quote, we'll flag potential fees based on your addresses and load type.

Got a shipment where accessorials might apply?

Share the pickup/delivery addresses and any special needs—we'll build the quote with realistic totals and look for ways to reduce extras!