LTL Accessorials Explained: 14 Extra Fees That Quietly Raise Your Freight Costs (and How to Stop Them)

If your LTL freight invoices don’t match your quotes, the reason often lies in one word: accessorials.
These are the additional charges that carriers apply for extra services — things like liftgate delivery, inside pickup, or limited-access delivery.

While accessorials are a normal part of the LTL shipping process, most shippers aren’t aware of how easily they can trigger them. The result? Unexpected freight charges that make budgeting difficult and erode profit margins.

This comprehensive guide to LTL accessorial charges explains the most common fees, why carriers apply them, and how to prevent them with smarter shipping data and proactive planning.

What Are LTL Accessorials?

In simple terms, LTL accessorials are extra services beyond standard dock-to-dock transport.
Carriers charge them to compensate for additional fees associated with ltl shipments. special handling, delivery conditions, or equipment use not covered by base line-haul rates.

For example: the additional fee for a liftgate service can vary by carrier.

• A liftgate service is needed when the consignee has no loading dock.

• A limited access delivery applies to schools, churches, storage units, or construction sites.

• Inside delivery is charged when the driver carries freight beyond the first threshold.

These accessorial fees ensure carriers are fairly compensated — but for shippers, they can add up fast.

Why Accessorial Charges Exist

Every LTL carrier operates under a different ltl shipment policy. business model, and the cost to serve each stop varies.
As logistics companies like Echo and nVision Global explain, these fees are how carriers manage labor, time, and risk.
Understanding how and why accessorial charges are applied helps you avoid them or plan for them upfront.

14 Common LTL Accessorial Charges — and How to Avoid Them

1. Liftgate Delivery Fee

If the consignee doesn’t have a dock or forklift, the carrier must use a liftgate to lower the freight.
How to prevent it: Verify dock access before booking and request liftgate service upfront.

2. Residential Delivery Surcharge

Carriers charge extra when the delivery address is not a commercial facility.
How to prevent it: Whenever possible, ship to a business dock or nearby carrier terminal.

3. Limited Access Delivery

Applies to places like schools, churches, storage units, or construction sites with restricted access.
How to prevent it: Identify limited-access locations when quoting or scheduling shipments.

4. Inside Delivery Fee

If a driver must carry freight beyond the first threshold or into the building, this fee applies.
How to prevent it: Communicate delivery requirements clearly and specify if dock-only delivery is acceptable.

5. Notify or Appointment Fee

Some consignees require delivery appointments or advance notice.
How to prevent it: Schedule appointments when requesting quotes or before dispatching the freight.

6. Reweigh or Reclass Fee

If shipment weight, dimensions, or freight class differ from what was declared, carriers adjust — and charge.
How to prevent it: Use calibrated scales and verify NMFC classifications before pickup.

7. Overlength or Oversize Charge

Freight longer than 8–12 feet needs special handling and trailer space.
How to prevent it: Use standard pallet lengths or break down oversized freight when possible.

8. Hazmat Charge

Hazardous materials require special handling, paperwork, and placards.
How to prevent it: Ensure your hazmat documentation is complete and compliant before tendering.

9. Detention Fee

If a driver waits beyond the allowed free time at pickup or delivery, detention charges apply.
How to prevent it: Stage freight on time and respect carrier pickup windows.

10. Redelivery Fee

Occurs when a delivery attempt fails — often because the facility is closed or freight is refused.
How to prevent it: Confirm operating hours and receiver contact before dispatch.

11. Storage Fee

Freight left at a carrier’s terminal for too long incurs storage costs.
How to prevent it: Arrange final delivery quickly after arrival and monitor transit status.

12. Sort and Segregate Fee

Charged when the driver must manually sort freight by purchase order or destination.
How to prevent it: Pre-label and organize shipments before tendering.

13. Return or Call Tag Fee

Applies when freight must be returned due to incorrect consignee info or shipment refusal.
How to prevent it: Double-check all shipping details — especially consignee names and PO numbers.

14. Address Correction Fee

If the address is incomplete or inaccurate, carriers charge to re-route the shipment.
How to prevent it: Validate all pickup and delivery addresses using your freight management system.

How Accessorial Fees Impact Freight Costs

Even a single missed detail can add hundreds to your freight costs.
According to Shipware, accessorials account for up to 5% of total LTL billing across many carriers.
The most common culprits? Reweigh charges, limited access deliveries, and address corrections — all of which are 100% preventable with accurate shipment data.

How to Avoid Unexpected LTL Accessorial Charges

1. Standardize Your Bill of Lading (BOL)
A complete and accurate bill of lading prevents most accessorial disputes.
Include:

• Correct weight, dimensions, and freight class

• Handling notes like “liftgate required” or “inside delivery”

• Full pickup and delivery details, including phone contacts

2. Confirm Dock and Delivery Details
Before booking, confirm:

• Whether the consignee has a loading dock or forklift

• If the site requires appointment delivery

• Whether it qualifies as limited access

3. Conduct Regular Freight Audits
Compare quotes vs. invoices monthly to catch recurring accessorial fees.
Use audits to find patterns — for example, repeated liftgate or reweigh charges — and fix them in your shipping process.

4. Train Shipping Teams
Educate your staff to identify when a shipment may incur additional charges, such as deliveries to residential areas or special sites.

Where TFWW Adds Value

TFWW’s LTL freight services are designed to eliminate surprises:

• Accessorial management: identify potential accessorials before tendering

• Freight classification accuracy: prevent reweigh and reclass adjustments

• Invoice audits: confirm every charge aligns with your quote

• Logistics visibility: proactive updates from pickup to delivery

Our approach ensures that freight invoices These fees are transparent, predictable, and accurate — no hidden ltl accessorial fees. unexpected accessorial charges.

Let Us Help You Ship Without Surprises

Unexpected charges shouldn’t be part of your freight strategy.
When every shipment and every dollar counts, clarity matters more than ever.

With TFWW, you get more than rate quotes — you get a partner who knows how to prevent hidden accessorials, streamline communication, and keep your invoices aligned with your expectations.

Book a Discovery Call with TFWW to learn how we help businesses ship smarter, eliminate unnecessary costs, and maintain total visibility across every lane.