Accessorial charges

Accessorial charges are amounts billed in addition to the line-haul rate for services or delays outside the basic pickup and delivery: detention at a dock, layover, truck-order-not-used, extra stops, lumper fees, driver assist, tarping, reconsignment and similar items.

Whether an accessorial will be paid depends on what the rate confirmation or carrier agreement says. Many brokers require written approval before the charge is incurred and documentation, such as in-and-out times on the bill of lading. Disputed accessorials are a common reason an entire invoice is held, which is why some carriers bill the clean line-haul and the disputed charge separately when allowed.