The trucking industry is the backbone of logistics, and trucking transported 72.2 percent of freight in the U.S. in 2021. We rely on trucks to get our shipments on time and within our budget.
Nobody likes to incur extra fees they weren’t expecting. In the freight business, extra fees can add up for several reasons.
Extra fees, called freight accessorials, can be incurred due to unforeseen events resulting from a lack of planning, communication mishaps, or knowledge. Freight accessorial charges are fees charged when the job scope goes beyond standard pick-up and delivery of freight.
Understanding common freight accessorials and how to avoid them can save time, frustration, and money.
What Is a Freight Accessorial?
When a carrier quotes a shipment, they do so based on the information the shipper provides. Anything outside of the services agreed upon can trigger a freight accessorial. Outside of fuel surcharges, additional services run the gamut for warranting additional fees.
The best way to avoid unexpected freight accessorials is to plan ahead, mind the details of your shipment closely, and communicate as soon as any details change. Educating yourself is key, so you can fully understand what carriers charge and why.
What Are Common Freight Accessorial Charges?
Accessorial fees can be a flat fee within a certain range, or fees can be charged by time, typically by the hour. Reasons for the fees vary, but when services go outside the agreed-upon freight charges, this translates to extra time for the driver, which can create a ripple effect for the route and impact other deliveries.
Knowing the different kinds of freight accessorials can avoid added charges on your freight bill. Some accessorial charges can’t be avoided.
For example, if the shipment is being picked up from a location with limited access. Limited access areas could include schools, military bases, construction sites, or even some residential areas. Even in commercial areas, limited access fees can apply if the truck driver cannot load the shipment within a 20-minute timeframe using a loading dock.
Some of the most common freight accessorial charges are listed below:
Liftgate
If a shipment arrives at the loading dock and requires a liftgate, but this was not communicated up-front, this can cause delays, and the shipment may require redelivery. All trucks are not equipped with liftgates. Most commercial trucks are not outfitted with a liftgate, as they typically deliver to warehouses and distribution docks.
Liftgate fees can occur when the delivery destination does not have a loading dock, which was not accounted for when quoted. Unless otherwise noted, drivers expect the shipping pick-up location will have a standard dock.
Redelivery
The driver shows up, and no one is there to receive the delivery, or the right equipment is not on site, such as a liftgate. These types of reasons prompt a redelivery, and redelivery fees are costly.
These are expensive accessorial fees because redoing the delivery involves a lot of time and lost income for the carrier and truck driver.
Layover
When a truck arrives at a delivery location, and for any number of reasons, the delivery can’t happen on the planned delivery day, a layover fee may get charged. Layovers cause major delays for truck drivers.
These unplanned events mean the driver can’t deliver the intended truckload, and the delivery gets pushed back an entire day, halting their route. This disruption can have a ripple effect on their route, prompting an additional charge, usually a flat fee rather than an hourly rate.
Reweigh
The details matter when it comes to freight shipping. This is especially true when it comes to LTL shipping. LTL means Less Than Truckload, and these types of shipments don’t require an FTL.
These shipping rates are calculated based on the weight and dimensions of the items to be picked up. Classification is also a factor when quoting shipments. When these details are not correct, a reweigh or reclassification is necessary. This adds extra work for the truck driver, which means extra fees.
Hazardous Materials
Shipping hazardous materials requires special driver certifications and special equipment when transporting HAZMAT materials. This is an additional cost to the carrier, so accessorial fees are in order for HAZMAT shipments. Some shipping carriers specialize in this type of shipment to cater to industrial customers.
There are nine classifications of hazardous materials, and by law, you must include an MSDS sheet outlining the contents when shipping hazardous materials. If you ship products or freight, you bear the responsibility of knowing whether or not it falls under hazardous materials.
Honorable Mentions
We’ve covered some of the most common freight accessorials. Some shipping carriers cater to specific industry needs, such as high and heavy cargo, agricultural shipments, construction, and even international shipments. Some accessorial fees are more specific to certain industries.
Below is some terminology you should be familiar with to make the most informed decisions when you select a carrier. For example, if you know you’ll need an inside delivery or know ahead of time that an after-hours delivery is needed, communicate this with a trusted carrier when obtaining your quote.
- Storage fee
- Detention fee
- Overlength
- After-hours
- Inside delivery
- TONU (Truck Order Not Used)
- Oversize
- Additional Stops
Conclusion
In the freight shipping business, time is money. Any delays that can potentially alter the time the driver planned for the shipment can result in additional fees. Understanding the various fees and planning and communicating ahead will save you money and ensure your shipment goes out on time and within budget.
For transparent pricing and unmatched service for specialized industrial freight and vehicle transportation, choose the driving force in logistics — contact RPM for a quote today.
Sources:
Nine Classes of Hazardous Materials (Yellow Visor Card) | FMCSA
Check the Box: Is it Hazmat? | U.S. Department of Transportation
News and Insights | American Trucking Association
