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Accessorial charges checklist

Accessorial fees are the most common source of surprise freight invoices. Check off what applies to your shipment to see which fees you should declare upfront.

Check what applies to your shipment

Pickup or delivery location has no loading dockDelivery location is a home or residential addressLocation is a school, church, construction site, military base, farm, prison, or restricted downtown zoneFreight needs to go inside the building, not just to the dock or doorDelivery requires a scheduled appointment windowDriver needs to help load or unload the freightThere is a chance no one will be available to receive the freight on the first attempt

Why invoices come in higher than quoted

The most common reason a freight invoice is higher than the original quote is an undeclared accessorial charge — liftgate, residential, inside delivery, or a delivery appointment that wasn't mentioned when the shipment was booked. Declaring these conditions upfront means they're priced into your quote instead of appearing after the fact.

Want the full breakdown? Read our accessorial charges guide or check the accessorial FAQ.

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