Freight Shipping Charges

When selecting a shipping company based upon pricing, you will want to look beyond that standard flat-rate shipping charge or cost per mile. There are any number of accessorial charges that could sneak onto your bill. By asking about these charges and being fully aware of what will or will not be required to get your shipment moving, you can often avoid many of these charges. However, to ensure that you are quoted the appropriate rate, you must also be certain you have properly determined the weight and dimensions of your shipment. Without proper measurement it is a near certainty that the rate you are quoted will not be the rate you are charged! Once you are knowledgable about your shipment, you will be well-equipped to explore the accessorial charges outlined below, and others.

Approximately ten years ago, as the cost of diesel fuel rose, and trucking companies began to append a “fuel surcharge” to their bill to recoup their investment, rather than raising their base rate. Today, many companies do exercise this charge, and it may vary slightly depending on the current price of fuel. The current market average is somewhere between $.40 and $.60/mile.

Storage or detention fees may also apply. If your transport requires the loading of a trailer that has been dropped at your location, this fee is generally negligible, or nonexistent if you are able to load your cargo efficiently--that is, within the time period allowed by the transport company. If you have a combination tractor-trailer waiting at your location to be loaded, expect to pay a considerable hourly sum if you are unable to load promptly--a few hours is the generally accepted period, depending on the nature of your cargo.


When you require assistance loading your cargo, loading fees may also be assessed. Policies regarding loading fees vary greatly from company to company, but your best bet for avoiding this charge is to be prepared; have the proper dock equipment on hand, and your cargo ready to be loaded.

Depending on when your shipment is picked up, additional charges may apply, such as on Sundays or holidays. If your shipment requires stop-offs at several locations, or diversion, charges for those will likely also be appended to your bill.

If shipping internationally, demurrage charges may be incurred. Demurrage is essentially a storage fee incurred while your product is “sitting on the dock,” so to speak. The most common reason for this is lack of required customs paperwork. If this is your first time using an international freight transportation service, you will want to be sure to contract an experience transporter who will be able to guide you through the proper paperwork so as to avoid demurrage charges. By asking the right questions about these accessorial charges and others, ensuring that your portion of the shipment is highly organized, and selecting a transportation company known for their experience and good reputation, you will be assured that your move does not go over budget.