Accessorials you can prevent

Preventing an accessorial does not mean talking a carrier out of a service it performed. It means removing an avoidable problem or including a necessary service in the quote from the start.

Detention

What it is: a charge for waiting beyond the allowed free time at pickup or delivery. The allowance and rate depend on the service and agreement; do not assume every shipment gets two free hours.

What to do: have the load, paperwork and unloading resources ready. Tell your broker or carrier about a slow dock before booking. Agree on free time, notice requirements and the records needed to support a charge. Record arrival and departure times.

Layover

What it is: a charge that may apply when a delay holds the truck over to another day.

What to do: confirm receiving hours and appointments directly with the facility. If the schedule changes, tell the broker or carrier immediately. Check the layover terms and how they interact with detention.

TONU — truck ordered not used

What it is: a charge that may apply when a booked truck cannot be used, such as a cancellation after dispatch or freight that is not available.

What to do: cancel promptly and confirm receipt of the cancellation. Early notice can reduce unnecessary dispatch, but it does not guarantee a free cancellation. Check when the agreed charge applies.

Liftgate

What it is: a platform that raises or lowers freight between the truck and ground level.

What to do: confirm whether each location has a usable dock or suitable loading equipment. If a liftgate is needed, quote and request it in advance. Confirm that the freight's size and weight fit the equipment. A necessary liftgate is a service to plan for, not a fee to avoid by leaving it off the order.

Residential and limited access

What they are: charges based on location type or access conditions under the carrier's rules. A business address can still qualify as limited access.

What to do: describe the actual location and any restrictions. Ask how the selected carrier classifies it. Schools, construction sites and other nonstandard locations need a check; there is no single list that applies to every carrier.

Reconsignment

What it is: a change to the consignee or delivery destination after the shipment has been accepted.

What to do: confirm the receiving address before pickup. If it changes, obtain written routing instructions and a revised charge and delivery plan before assuming the driver can redirect.

Inside delivery and sort-and-segregate

What they are: delivery beyond the carrier's standard delivery point, or separating freight into required groups.

What to do: state where the goods must be placed and what handling the receiver expects. Confirm the carrier's definition and limits. Inside delivery does not automatically mean delivery to any room, upstairs placement or unpacking.

When a charge appears anyway

Request the event record, applicable rule and calculation. Compare them with the accepted quote and instructions. Arrival and departure times may support detention; a delivery record may establish that an extra service was used.

Dispute an error with evidence. If the service was necessary and the charge matches the agreement, address the cause for the next shipment.

Old Dominion's accessorial guide is one carrier's explanation of these charges. The selected carrier's rules and your agreement determine what applies to your shipment.

Optional freight help

Have a shipment to work through?

Take the questions from this lesson to your next load. If you’d like Joseph to look at a shipment with you, visit Joseph Garcia Freight.

Talk to Joseph about a shipment

The library stays free. Requesting freight service is your choice and is separate from advisory work.

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