Carriers are often called upon to perform services other than just driving. Drivers may have to load or unload trailers, wrap pallets, or make additional stops. Such services are not added into the per mile rate charged. It would be impossible to charge the fees as part of the per mile rate and remain fair to all customers, because all services cost different amounts of time to perform, therefore are worth different amounts of money. The only fair way to charge a customer would be al a carte.
Shrink Wrap
Chargeable fee when the shipper requires the driver to shrink wrap pallets.
Pallet Jack
Chargeable when the driver is required to load and/or unload a trailer with a pallet jack.
Layovers
May be charged to the shipper if they are the cause of the layover. If the layover is at the carrier's requires, then the carrier pays out-of-pocket.
Truck Ordered Not Used (TONU)
Having a load fall through is inevitable. Most contracts will have a clause allowing for a TONU. There is only a charge if the truck is cancelled after a pre-established cut off time.
Detention Charges
Charged when the shipper fails to load or release the driver and/or trailer in a timely fashion. Some detention time will be built in to the contract.
Deadhead
When shippers are charged the empty miles for preferred use of a carrier's equipment.
Tolls
Carriers may charge shippers for tolls incurred during loaded miles.
Circuitous Miles
Miles accrued due to shipper required out-of-route stops.
Fuel Surcharge
The fuel peg is the price on which contract pricing is based. Carriers may obtain fuel cost information from the Department of Energy's website. A surcharge is charged according to the current price of fuel. For instance, on the carrier's pricing table, the surcharge might be $0.05 if the current rate of fuel is between $3.509 and $3.559. This prevents the carrier from having to forecast fuel prices to stay in profit.
After Hour Deliveries
A carrier may charge a shipper for after hour deliveries if the carrier typically only delivers during business hours. This would not be a common accessorial fee for truckload carriers.
