LTL Shipping: What are Accessorial Fees?

By Bekah Tatem, Content Writer

Last Updated April 1, 2025

12 min read

In this article, learn about:

What accessorial fees are in LTL shipping
Common types of accessorial charges
Strategies to minimize accessorial expenses

In LTL shipping, standard rates cover transporting goods from point A to point B. However, shipments are rarely cut and dry and oftentimes require additional services that go beyond standard freight costs. These extra services, known as accessorial fees, can quickly add up and impact your overall shipping expenses. Understanding these charges can help you plan ahead and avoid unexpected costs.

Related Reading: What is LTL Shipping?

What are Accessorial Fees?

There are many types of accessorial fees in the world of LTL, but more often than not, it comes down to a select handful that we will discuss below. And, depending on the particular carrier that handles the shipment, the price for such services will vary.

There are two separate types of accessorial fees: before the fact and after the fact.

Before the Fact Accessorials

Before the fact accessorials are services that need to be performed either before or during transit. Some common examples include:

Liftgate Services

A liftgate is a mechanical device on the back of an LTL trailer that raises or lowers freight to the ground or into the trailer. This device is most often used when either the shipper or receiver of freight does not have a loading dock or when a shipment is being delivered to a residence. The charge for using a lift gate at either pick-up or delivery can range anywhere from around $20 to $100 or more.

Residential Delivery

A residential accessorial is needed when a freight shipment has to be picked up or delivered to a residence. What qualifies as a residence is often up for interpretation based on the freight carrier. However, any time the delivery is going to a place zoned by the USPS as a “residential zone” instead of a “business zone,” a residential fee will apply. Also, most carriers will still consider a shipment as residential when the delivery address is a business run off of a residential property but is still not in a business zone. Residential deliveries usually will cost anywhere from $20 to $150 or more, depending on the carrier.

Inside Fee

Inside fees can be applied when, for a shipment to be picked up or delivered, the driver of the freight has to physically go into either the pickup or delivery location and personally move the freight to the trailer or place the freight in the hands of the recipient. This is most often employed in the case of residential pickups or deliveries or in the case of a limited access delivery to an office, military base, school, church, hotel, etc. The cost of an inside delivery usually ranges anywhere from $50 to $150 or more.

Call Before Delivery/Appointment

This accessorial comes into play whenever a shipment requires a call ahead from the driver to the recipient or the recipient requires an appointment to be made by the destination terminal for the consignee to be able to accept the freight. LTL carriers will NOT make pick-up appointments and very rarely will do a call ahead before picking up. This particular type of service can sometimes be a free service that the carrier provides, but in some cases, can range anywhere from $10 to over $100.

Trade Show

When shipping to or from a trade show or an advanced warehouse, carriers charge a Trade Show Fee due to the specialized handling and strict delivery windows these shipments require. This fee applies whether the freight is delivered directly to the event or routed through a holding area, with costs varying by carrier—typically ranging from $40 to several hundred dollars. Given the time-sensitive nature of trade show shipments, they often receive higher-priority handling than standard freight.

To avoid unexpected costs or delays, it’s best to confirm pricing and scheduling details with a logistics provider before booking. One advantage of trade show shipments is that they are classified under NMFC 154630, covering exhibition paraphernalia and booths, which simplifies the freight classification process since density-based adjustments are not required.

Limited Access

Limited access fees are among the most subjective accessorial charges in freight shipping, as carriers determine them based on location-specific challenges. While some sites may be classified as limited access on a case-by-case basis, certain locations are almost always subject to these fees. These include construction sites, farms, co-ops, ports, docks, and facilities requiring special clearance or appointments, such as prisons, schools, courthouses, and military bases.

Limited access fees typically range from $35 to several hundred dollars, depending on the difficulty of entry and required handling. As a general rule, if a pickup or delivery location is not a standard business or warehouse with a loading dock, there’s a good chance it will be considered limited access. Shippers should verify with carriers in advance to anticipate any additional costs.

Protect from Freezing

Protecting items from freezing is essential for shipments that must be kept above 32°F to prevent damage. Not all carriers offer freeze protection and those that do often have strict policies regarding availability. Pricing varies widely—some carriers, like Estes and USF Holland, charge a flat fee of $10–$20, while others, such as FedEx and UPS, calculate costs based on weight. Shippers should confirm freeze protection options and pricing with their carrier in advance, especially during colder months when demand for this service increases.

HAZMAT

HAZMAT shipments require strict compliance with federal regulations and must be clearly documented on the Bill of Lading (BOL). Each hazardous material must include its UN number, hazard class, and packing group, often listed in both the product description and the “Special Instructions” section. For example, a common hazardous shipment might be labeled as “UN#1760, corrosive liquid n.o.s (aluminum chloride hydroxide sulfate), class 8, PG III.” If you frequently ship HAZMAT items, it’s wise to keep an updated copy of the 49 CFR Manual, which outlines classification and packaging requirements, as well as the ERG Handbook, which is a condensed reference that truck drivers carry.

Fees for shipping hazardous materials vary, with some carriers charging as little as $10, while others impose higher costs or refuse to transport certain substances due to federal or state restrictions. Always confirm carrier policies and fees with customer support before booking a hazardous shipment to ensure compliance and avoid unexpected issues.

Sort & Seg

This type of accessorial charge comes up whenever, upon pick-up or delivery, a shipment has to be sorted and segregated by the driver. This typically occurs at food distribution facilities/warehouses but can occur anytime the driver is responsible for taking individual pieces of a freight shipment and placing them in their appropriate locations at a particular pick-up or delivery location. Most carriers generally charge a blanket fee for this type of service up to a certain amount of pieces. Each additional piece above that particular amount will be charged individually.

Single Shipment

A Single Shipment fee is a rare accessorial charge that only a few carriers still enforce. This fee applies when a shipment consists of a single piece weighing less than 500 pounds. To avoid surprises, it's best to check with the support team at your logistics provider in advance to determine whether your chosen carrier applies this fee based on the specific details of your shipment.

Lumper Services & Unloading Fees

Lumper services and unloading fees vary widely depending on the distribution center or warehouse, making it difficult to establish an industry standard or approximate cost. These fees are charged when third-party workers, known as lumpers, are required to unload freight at a facility. Since pricing and policies differ significantly by location, it's best to check with customer support at your logistics provider before booking a shipment to understand any potential unloading fees and ensure proper handling.

Equipment Not Used Fee

This accessorial fee occurs when a carrier dispatches a truck for pickup, but the shipment cannot be completed due to unforeseen circumstances. This may happen if the freight isn’t ready, the shipper closes earlier than stated on the BOL, the required equipment wasn’t specified in advance, or the pick-up is canceled after the truck has arrived. Since the carrier has already allocated resources for the pick-up, they impose this fee to cover lost time and expenses. To avoid unnecessary charges, it's crucial to confirm all shipment details beforehand and communicate any changes promptly.

After the Fact Accessorial

After the fact accessorials are those that come during transit that were not anticipated or that had to be performed during or after delivery in order for the transit of the shipment to be completed. Some common examples include:

Re-Delivery

Re-delivery accessorial fees are charged when a carrier's initial delivery attempt is unsuccessful, often due to incorrect delivery details on the BOL or missing equipment specifications. For example, if a receiver lacks a dock but requires a liftgate, and the BOL does not indicate this, the carrier may be unable to complete the delivery. In such cases, the shipment must be reattempted with the appropriate equipment, incurring both a liftgate fee and a re-delivery fee. These fees vary by carrier, typically starting around $35-$50 but potentially reaching several hundred dollars. To avoid these charges, it’s essential to verify delivery requirements and accurately document them on the BOL.

Shipment Refused

A fee is charged by the carrier when they attempt delivery of a shipment but the shipment is refused for a reason other than damage. This particular circumstance can vary from carrier to carrier.

Storage

Storage fees are applied when a shipment cannot be delivered on the scheduled date and must be temporarily stored at the destination terminal. This typically occurs due to delays, logistical issues, or miscommunications about the delivery date. Because the freight occupies valuable terminal space, carriers charge additional storage fees, which can range from $50 to $200 per day, depending on the carrier and terminal. To avoid these fees, it’s essential to confirm delivery dates, review transit times, and ensure that shipments are booked accurately.

Reconsignment

This accessorial fee occurs when a shipment, while either in transit or when out for delivery, must have its delivery address changed. When booking a shipment and filling out the BOL, it is important to ensure that the delivery address is absolutely correct and that the key factors are listed accurately and in their entirety (Name of the Business/Receiver, Address, Suite/Apt #, and Zip Code). Reconsignment can also occur when a shipment is refused for delivery and must be sent back to its original pick-up point. Reconsignment charges vary by carrier but usually run anywhere from around $100 up to the entire original freight charges.

Corrected BOL

When a shipment is already in transit but a significant correction is needed on the Bill of Lading (BOL), a new BOL can be issued and sent to the carrier. However, this comes with a fee, which can range from as little as $10 to much higher amounts, depending on the carrier. As with reconsignment, the best way to avoid this fee is to ensure that all details are accurate and complete before booking the shipment.

Detention Charge

A detention charge is applied when a driver is delayed unnecessarily during a pick-up or delivery. For Full Truckload (FTL) shipments, detention charges typically start after a two-hour delay. However, for Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipments, a detention fee may begin accruing after just 30 minutes. The rates for detention are often similar across both FTL and LTL, ranging from $50 to $100 per hour. To avoid this charge, it's important to ensure that the loading and unloading process is as efficient as possible once the driver arrives, minimizing any unnecessary delays.

Excessive Length

An excessive length charge applies when a single piece of a shipment exceeds 8 feet (96 inches) in length. Most LTL carriers charge this fee for any item longer than 8 feet, with some imposing additional fees for pieces over 12 feet (144 inches). If a piece of your shipment exceeds 8 feet, it's a good idea to contact your logistics provider to discuss the best course of action, as the excessive length charge can sometimes approach or exceed $100.

How to Minimize Accessorial Fees

The best way to handle accessorial fees is by proactively preventing them or preparing for them. By establishing best practices throughout the shipping process, you can avoid or minimize these charges and streamline your operations. Here are some key strategies:

Accurate Shipping Documentation: One of the most common sources of unexpected accessorial fees is inaccurate or incomplete documentation. Make sure all BOL details, such as the delivery address, special requirements, and the type of goods being shipped are clearly and accurately filled out.
Clear Delivery Instructions: Misunderstandings about delivery locations, hours of operation, and access points can lead to issues and subsequent charges. Make sure your delivery instructions are crystal clear and include all relevant details, such as gate codes, facility restrictions, or any special access requirements.
Active Communication: Regular communication with your logistics provider or freight carrier can help prevent issues before they turn into accessorial fees. Keep an open line of communication with your shipping support team to clarify any doubts, track shipments, and adjust plans if needed.
Understand Your Carrier’s Policies: Different carriers have varying policies for accessorial fees. Familiarize yourself with each carrier’s terms, including any conditions for charges like liftgate services, limited access locations, or hazardous materials handling.
Plan Ahead for Special Handling: If you know your shipment requires special equipment or handling, make sure to request these services at the time of booking. This allows you to budget accordingly, and it prevents unexpected fees.

Stay Informed with SupplierWiki

For more free educational content like this (eBooks, Cheat Sheets, Webinars, and Articles), sign up for our newsletter or explore our website! We cover material essential for retail suppliers, especially related to revenue loss at Target, Walmart, Amazon, CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Lowe’s, and Home Depot.