Truckload accessorial charges are an important yet often overlooked aspect of freight shipping that can significantly impact your transportation costs. These additional fees arise from services beyond standard pickup and delivery, such as detention, layover, or driver assist, and can quickly add up if not properly managed. Understanding what truckload accessorial charges are and how they work is crucial for shippers looking to avoid unexpected expenses and maintain better control over their supply chain budget.

Common Truckload Accessorial Charges

Fuel Surcharge (FSC)

It is essential to compensate carriers for fuel costs. The U.S. releases a weekly diesel cost average, which you can use to decide what works best for your region. At FreightPlus, we use the diesel average and develop a sliding scale based on mileage costs. As diesel prices increase, the fuel surcharge fee rises, and as prices decrease, the surcharge follows. A sliding scale is recommended to ensure both parties remain whole. While you can request an all-in rate, this often shifts the risk to the carrier, resulting in higher rates.

TONU Charge (truck order not used)

A TONU charge occurs when you book a truck but later decide it is no longer needed. Once a carrier has committed to a load and it is not used, they will charge you for the truck order not used. This fee is negotiable and should be discussed beforehand.

Detention (with power/without power)

Detention charges apply when a carrier is delayed at your facility. Typically, you receive two hours of free time. If the driver remains beyond this period, additional fees will apply. Detention with power refers to the driver staying in the truck, which is more expensive than detention without power, where only the trailer is left. The more equipment tied up, the higher the cost.

Sort and Segregation

Sort and segregation charges apply when pallets or boxes need to be organized by PO or customer order. You can be charged either by cost per piece or per hundredweight. We recommend paying per piece for better transparency, as mixed product weights can lead to inconsistent costs when charged by weight.

Lumper

Lumper charges are unique because they are non-negotiable. This fee is incurred when your customer hires their own lumper service to handle unloading. The lumper service charges the customer, who then passes the cost to the carrier.

Extra driver

An extra driver charge is applied when team driver services are required to ship faster. You can negotiate either a cost per mile for the team or an additional fee for the second driver. This allows continuous driving without downtime due to driver hours-of-service restrictions.

Layover

Layover charges occur when a driver must stay overnight because the freight wasn't loaded on time. Be sure to clarify the difference between detention and layover charges with your carrier.

Refrigerated

If you need refrigerated equipment, you can negotiate a cost per mile or an additional reefer charge. It's essential to account for this upfront to avoid surprise costs.

Extra equipment

Charges for extra equipment, such as tarps or load locks, should also be negotiated. If not, you shift the risk to the carrier, who may charge more to account for this uncertainty.

Summary

Understanding truckload accessorial charges can help you make informed decisions that minimize costs and ensure fair practices between you and your carriers. By negotiating these charges in advance, you reduce unexpected expenses and improve your overall freight management process.

Ready to take control of your freight shipping costs and avoid unexpected fees? Contact us today to learn how we can help you manage truckload accessorial charges and optimize your transportation strategy