Complete Accessorial Charges List
25+ trucking accessorial fees explained with typical rates. Know what to charge, when they apply, and how to invoice them.
O TruckingComplete Trucking Accessorial Charges List 2026
Accessorial charges are the add-on fees a carrier bills on top of the base line haul rate whenever a load requires extra time, equipment, or handling. They are the difference between a load that pencils out and one that quietly loses money, because the line haul rate only pays you to drive freight from A to B. Everything else, waiting at a dock, running a liftgate, paying a lumper, or covering a fuel-price swing, is supposed to be charged separately.
The 38 fees below are grouped into seven categories with typical rate ranges. Rate ranges vary by lane, region, carrier, and broker, so treat them as planning benchmarks and always confirm the exact dollar amount and free-time window on your rate confirmation before you accept the load. For the highest-frequency fees, see our deep-dive guides on detention pay rates, TONU rates, and how to avoid lumper fees. When it is time to collect, follow our step-by-step guide to billing accessorial charges.
Key Takeaways
- Accessorials are add-on fees beyond the line haul rate for extra time, equipment, or handling, billed as separate invoice line items.
- The most common accessorials are fuel surcharge (on ~93% of loads), detention (~45%), lumper fees (~35%), liftgate (~25%), and TONU (~5-10%).
- Rate ranges vary by lane, region, carrier, and broker, so treat the figures here as planning benchmarks and confirm the exact dollar amount on each rate confirmation.
- Most accessorials are negotiable per load, and your leverage is highest before you accept it while the broker still needs a truck.
- Get accessorial terms in writing first, document everything with timestamped photos and signed receipts, and invoice within 24-48 hours to get paid.
Most Common Accessorials
93%
Fuel Surcharge
On almost every load
45%
Detention
Very common, often disputed
35%
Lumper Fee
Especially grocery/retail
25%
Liftgate
Residential & small business
5-10%
TONU
When loads cancel
All Accessorial Charges by Category
Time-Related
| Charge | Typical Rate | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Detention | $50-$100/hour | Waiting time beyond 2-hour free time at shipper/receiver |
| Layover | $75-$300/day | Overnight delay when load not ready or facility closed |
| TONU | $150-$500 | Truck Ordered Not Used - load cancels after dispatch |
| Driver Wait Time | $25-$50/hour | Similar to detention, tracked differently by some carriers |
| Appointment Scheduling | $25-$100 | Fee for securing specific delivery appointments |
Equipment-Related
| Charge | Typical Rate | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Liftgate Service | $75-$150 | Hydraulic lift needed when no loading dock available |
| Pallet Jack | $25-$50 | Use of pallet jack for unloading |
| Tarping | $50-$150 | Covering flatbed loads with tarps for weather protection |
| Chains/Straps | $25-$75 | Additional securement beyond standard |
| Reefer Fuel | Variable | Extra fuel for running refrigeration unit |
| Team Driver | $0.10-$0.25/mi extra | Two drivers for expedited delivery |
Location-Related
| Charge | Typical Rate | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Delivery | $75-$200 | Delivery to home address vs. commercial |
| Limited Access | $50-$150 | Schools, churches, military bases, construction sites |
| Inside Delivery | $75-$200 | Driver must bring freight inside building |
| Notify Before Delivery | $15-$35 | Call ahead required before arrival |
| Construction Site | $100-$250 | Delivery to active construction locations |
| Mine/Quarry Site | $150-$300 | Specialized location access |
Service-Related
| Charge | Typical Rate | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lumper Fee | $100-$500 | Third-party unloading at warehouse |
| Sort & Segregate | $50-$200 | Separating freight by stop or SKU |
| Redelivery | $150-$400 | Second delivery attempt after failed first |
| Reconsignment | $100-$350 | Changing delivery address after pickup |
| Stop-Off | $75-$200 per stop | Additional pickup or delivery points |
| COD Collection | $25-$75 | Collecting payment on delivery |
Documentation
| Charge | Typical Rate | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bill of Lading Copy | $10-$25 | Additional copies of shipping documents |
| Proof of Delivery | $10-$25 | Signed POD copy request |
| Customs Documentation | $50-$200 | Border crossing paperwork |
| Hazmat Documentation | $50-$150 | Hazardous materials paperwork |
Freight-Related
| Charge | Typical Rate | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Overlength (>12ft) | $50-$200 | Freight exceeding standard length |
| Overwidth | $75-$300 | Wide load requiring special handling |
| Overweight | $100-$500 | Exceeding standard weight limits |
| Hazmat | $100-$500 | Hazardous materials surcharge |
| High Value | 0.5-2% of value | Extra insurance for valuable freight |
| Protect From Freeze | $100-$300 | Temperature protection without reefer |
Fuel & Administrative
| Charge | Typical Rate | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Surcharge | Variable % | Fluctuates with diesel prices (on 93% of loads) |
| Toll Charges | Actual cost | Pass-through of toll road expenses |
| Scale Tickets | $10-$25 | Weight verification at scales |
| Permit Fees | $25-$500+ | Oversize/overweight permits |
| Storage | $50-$200/day | Holding freight at carrier facility |
Accessorial Billing Best Practices
Get It In Writing First
Confirm all potential accessorials on the rate confirmation BEFORE accepting the load. "We'll work it out later" usually means you won't get paid.
Document Everything
Timestamped photos, signed delivery receipts, gate check-ins. Documentation is the difference between getting paid and fighting for months.
Invoice Immediately
Submit accessorial invoices within 24-48 hours of occurrence. The longer you wait, the harder it is to collect.
Know When to Walk Away
If a shipper/broker consistently doesn't honor accessorials, factor that into future load decisions. Some freight isn't worth it.
Learn More About Key Accessorials
Accessorial Charges: Frequently Asked Questions
What are accessorial charges in trucking?+
Accessorial charges are extra fees beyond the standard line haul rate for additional services like detention (waiting time), lumper fees (unloading), TONU (canceled loads), liftgate service, inside delivery, and fuel surcharges. These fees compensate carriers for time, equipment, and services beyond basic transportation.
What are the most common accessorial charges?+
The most common accessorial charges are: Fuel Surcharge (93% of loads), Detention (45% of loads), Lumper Fee (35% of loads, especially grocery/retail), Liftgate (25% of loads), and TONU (5-10% when loads cancel).
How do I bill for accessorial charges?+
Best practices for billing accessorials: 1) Get fees in writing on rate confirmation before accepting loads, 2) Document everything with timestamped photos and signed receipts, 3) Invoice within 24-48 hours of occurrence, 4) Reference rate confirmation accessorial terms when invoicing.
Who pays accessorial charges, the shipper or the broker?+
The broker or shipper that booked the load is responsible for paying the carrier's accessorial charges, and they typically pass those costs back to the shipper or consignee that caused them. As the carrier, you invoice the party named on your rate confirmation, not the warehouse or receiver. That is why getting accessorial terms in writing on the rate confirmation before you accept the load matters: if the fee is not agreed up front, the broker can refuse it.
Are accessorial charges negotiable?+
Yes. Unlike the line haul rate, most accessorials are negotiable on a per-load basis. You can negotiate the detention free-time window, the hourly detention rate, layover and TONU amounts, and whether lumper fees are reimbursed at cost. The leverage is highest before you accept the load, while the broker still needs a truck. Once the freight is delivered, an undocumented or un-agreed accessorial is much harder to collect.
What is the difference between accessorial charges and the line haul rate?+
The line haul rate is the base price to move freight from origin to destination, usually quoted as a flat rate or per-mile rate. Accessorial charges are separate add-on fees for any extra time, equipment, or service beyond simply driving the load there, such as detention for waiting, a lumper fee for unloading, a liftgate, or a fuel surcharge. They are billed as distinct line items on the invoice, not folded into the line haul.
We Negotiate All Accessorials for You
Our dispatch team includes detention, TONU, lumper fees, and all applicable accessorials in every rate confirmation. Stop leaving money on the table.