Accessorial Charges in Trucking Explained

What Are Accessorial Charges?

Accessorial charges are additional fees that carriers assess for services beyond the standard pickup and delivery of freight. These charges cover extra labor, equipment, time, or special handling that falls outside the base transportation rate. Accessorials can add 10% to 30% or more to a shipment''s total cost, making them one of the most important but often overlooked elements in freight pricing. Both carriers and shippers need to understand these charges to price loads accurately and avoid billing surprises.

Common Accessorial Charges

Detention and Demurrage

Detention charges apply when a driver is held at a shipper or receiver facility beyond the agreed-upon free time (typically 1 to 2 hours). Detention rates generally range from $50 to $100 per hour and compensate the carrier for lost driving time and revenue. Demurrage is a related charge applied to containers or trailers held beyond the free time at a terminal or port.

Liftgate Service

A liftgate charge applies when the pickup or delivery location lacks a loading dock, requiring the carrier to use a hydraulic liftgate to raise or lower freight between ground level and the trailer bed. Liftgate fees typically range from $75 to $250 per occurrence and are common for deliveries to residential addresses, small businesses, or construction sites.

Inside Delivery and Pickup

Standard carrier service includes delivery to the loading dock or tailgate. If the shipper or receiver requires the driver to move freight inside a building beyond the dock area, an inside delivery or inside pickup charge applies. This fee compensates for additional labor and time.

Residential Delivery or Pickup

Deliveries to or pickups from residential addresses incur a residential surcharge because these locations typically lack commercial loading docks, have limited access for large trucks, and may require liftgate service. Residential fees typically range from $50 to $150.

Limited Access Locations

Locations that are difficult for trucks to access, such as construction sites, military bases, schools, churches, mines, or rural areas with unpaved roads, may incur limited access surcharges. These fees account for the additional time and maneuvering required.

Redelivery

If a carrier attempts delivery and the consignee is unable to receive the freight (closed facility, refused shipment, or incorrect address), a redelivery charge covers the cost of returning and attempting delivery again.

Sort and Segregate

When a single shipment contains items that must be separated and delivered to different locations within a facility or sorted by PO number, a sort and segregate fee applies.

Fuel Surcharge

While technically an accessorial, fuel surcharges are so universal they are treated as a standard line item. They adjust the base rate based on current diesel fuel prices, usually tied to the U.S. Energy Information Administration''s weekly national average.

Less Common but Important Accessorials

• Notify before delivery: Carrier must call ahead to schedule a delivery appointment
• Protect from freeze: Heated trailer service for temperature-sensitive freight in winter
• Hazmat surcharge: Additional fees for transporting hazardous materials requiring placards and special handling
• Overlength or overwidth: Charges for freight exceeding standard dimensional limits
• Trade show delivery: Premium rates for deliveries to convention centers with strict scheduling and union labor requirements

Managing Accessorial Costs

Shippers and carriers can reduce accessorial impacts through several strategies:

1. Clearly define all expected services in shipper-carrier contracts to avoid surprise charges
2. Accurately describe pickup and delivery conditions on the bill of lading
3. Negotiate accessorial rates as part of your overall rate negotiation strategy
4. Improve facility operations to reduce detention time
5. Ensure all shipment details are accurate to avoid reclassification and redelivery fees

Carriers should review their operating authority to ensure their insurance and surety bonds reflect the types of accessorial services they provide.