Let's Talk About It.

(Even Though No One Wants To)

The uninvited, hit-the-budget-hard, fees, that cause a whole lot of frustration. 

We know. We feel it, too.

While ignoring accessorial charges won’t make them disappear, knowing what they are and how they work can take a lot of the stress out of the equation. Let's break it down for you and help your team spot potential issues before they become billable problems.

What Exactly Are Accessorial Charges?

Accessorial charges are extra fees added to your freight bill whenever a carrier goes beyond standard pickup and delivery. They cover a wide range of services, all connected to the movement of your goods. Some of these charges are predictable—like residential delivery, liftgate service, or inside delivery—but often, accessorials catch you by surprise, showing up on the invoice after the shipment is complete—or, in the worst cases, holding up the delivery until they’re paid. 

Surprise Fees are... a real problem.

These unexpected add-ons can throw off schedules—they also cut straight into profit because you, and/or your customer, didn’t plan for them ahead of time.

It is easy to see why tensions might rise when accessorial charges start to stack up. Shippers, buyers, logistic providers, all feel the pressure - scrambling to explain the unexpected costs and what happened to their service performance and profitability.

Eliminating accessorial charges is impossible.. but you can manage them better once you know what they are, and how they are incurred.

Want a cheat sheet? We got your back. Click below to see

THE BIG LIST: ACCESSORIALS

 Get Ahead of the Charges Before They Hit Your Invoice

Now what? You have looked at the big list of accessorials above, and know how each fee may be incurred. It's time to take control and eliminate the surprises by working through the process below.  

Have a Clear Process—And Stick to It

Charges like detention, demurrage, storage, and per diem all come down to one thing: time... and the clock is almost always running.

To avoid unnecessary fees:

• Plan the load before anything moves.

• Clearly outline how and when your carrier must notify you if delays might cause charges.

• If a carrier doesn’t follow the communication process and give proper notice, you have grounds to dispute the fee.

Simply put—no process, no control. A documented workflow protects your timeline and your budget.

Build Strong Carrier Relationships (and Stay Diligent)

Getting answers leads to fewer surprises, smoother operations, and better profitability AND, good partnerships go a long way in avoiding headaches.

• Be transparent with your carriers and work toward long-term relationships.

• But also—review every accessorial charge that comes in. Ask:

  • Could this have been avoided?

  • Was it a shipper, receiver, or carrier issue?

  • How does it affect the budget?

Negotiate the Accessorials You Already Know About

Some fees are predictable—like liftgate service, residential delivery, or inside delivery. And here’s the good news: these are often negotiable.

• Rates for the same accessorial can vary by hundreds of dollars from one carrier to another.

• If you know your freight consistently requires certain services, negotiate those fees upfront.

• Even better—bake them into your contracted linehaul rate so you’re not dealing with surprise charges every time.

Negotiate Overall Accessorial Rates Across All Carriers

Accessorial pricing can swing wildly from one logistics provider to the next. That’s why it pays to:

• Negotiate the lowest reasonable rate.

• Set that rate as the standard across all your carriers.

This kind of consistency makes routing decisions easier, simplifies freight audit and pay processes, and reduces back-and-forth with accounting teams questioning every line item.

Prevent Accessorials Before They Start

Many fees can be avoided simply by planning ahead and communicating clearly. Ask the right questions prior to booking the load, such as: 

• Does pick-up or delivery require an appointment? 

• Will the driver need to help load or unload?

• Is the delivery destination considered limited access?

• Are there strict time windows?

• Is the freight palletized or floor-loaded?

• Are there hazardous materials involved?

How else can you help?

• Know what’s included—and not included—in your carrier’s rules tariff. Fees can change with little or no notice, so check regularly.

• Make operations easier for your carriers. Use the right equipment, have the documents ready, and if they arrive on time, load or unload them quickly.

• Make sure everyone involved in the shipment understands the plan.

Detention, Demurrage & Per Diem:

The Top 3 

These three accessorial charges are some of the most common—and costly. Here are simple ways to keep them under control:

Tips to Avoid Demurrage

• Know your free days—and negotiate for more, especially if you're a high-volume shipper.

• Submit documents early so cargo is cleared before arrival.

• Have backup trucking options in case one falls through.

• Track every container’s arrival and departure—no one will protect your freight like you do.

Tips to Avoid Detention

• Schedule dock times so teams are ready when the driver arrives.

• Negotiate enough free time during your contract.

• Send shipment details to carriers well in advance to help them plan efficiently.

Tips to Avoid Per Diem

• Just like demurrage—track equipment the moment it's pulled from the yard.

• Use a first-in, first-out process so empty containers are returned quickly and within the free-time window.

Yep, accessorial charges are the uninvited, never welcome, guests at your logistics party...

But, you can keep them in check.

With clear processes in place, smart communication, and a dash of diligence, you can take control and keep your freight moving... In the end, the only thing that should surprise you in shipping... is how smooth it actually can be.   

Think of it this way: accessorials don’t have to be the villains in your shipping story.