Accessorial charges

The term is used mostly in North American trucking, where each carrier lists its accessorials in a rules tariff. Typical examples are liftgate service where there is no loading dock, residential or limited-access delivery, inside delivery, delivery appointments, driver waiting time, redelivery after a failed attempt, and reweighing or reclassifying an LTL shipment. Each has its own flat fee or rate.

Accessorials are separate from the base rate and usually from the fuel surcharge too, which is why an all-in quote rarely includes them unless asked. In ocean and air freight the same idea appears as local, ancillary or extra charges. Unlike surcharges that apply to every shipment on a lane, an accessorial depends on the particular pickup, delivery or cargo.

Accessorials are the most common reason a final invoice is higher than the quote, so ask the right questions before quoting. Is the address commercial or residential? Is there a dock and a forklift? Is an appointment needed, are the goods hazardous, and are the weight and freight class accurate? LTL carriers can reweigh and reinspect shipments and bill the difference when details are wrong.