FreightCal2026
15+ Hidden LTL Surcharges Revealed Upfront

LTL Accessorial Fees Estimator

Select every surcharge that applies to your shipment. See the full invoice total before your carrier does. Over 40% of LTL invoices contain surprise fees averaging $127–$285 per shipment.

Base Shipment Info

$

From your carrier quote (before accessorials)

Select Applicable Fees(2 selected)

🚚Delivery(1/3)
Liftgate Delivery🚨 Most Missed
$75–$150 flat
Residential Delivery🚨 High Risk
$85–$175 flat
Inside Delivery
$65–$200 flat
📦Pickup(0/1)
Liftgate Pickup
$75–$150 flat
📍Location(0/3)
Limited Access Delivery⚠️ Trap Fee
$75–$200 flat
Limited Access Pickup
$75–$175 flat
Trade Show / Convention Pickup
$100–$350 flat
🔧Handling(0/3)
Overlength (8–12 ft)⚠️ Often Missed
$50–$120 flat
Overlength (> 12 ft)
$100–$300 flat
HazMat Handling Fee (DOT)🔴 Compliance
$35–$120 flat
⏱️Timing(0/4)
Notify Before Delivery
$15–$50 flat
Delivery by Appointment (Timed)
$50–$100 flat
Re-Delivery Attempt🚨 Auto-Billed
$75–$200 flat
Freight Storage (After Free Period)
$20–$75 flat
⛽Fuel & Compliance(1/2)
Fuel Surcharge (FSC)📌 Always Applies
$18–$30% of base
BOL Correction / Weight & Inspect⚠️ Audit Risk
$25–$75 flat

What Are LTL Accessorial Fees?

Accessorial fees are additional charges added to the base linehaul rate on LTL freight invoices. They compensate carriers for extra services beyond standard dock-to-dock delivery. Industry data shows over 40% of LTL invoices contain at least one accessorial charge not included in the original quote.

Fuel Surcharge alone averages 18–28% of your base rate in 2026 and is applied to every single LTL shipment — yet it is frequently absent from broker online quotes. Always budget for it.

Accessorial Fees FAQ

Can I dispute accessorial fees on my invoice?

Yes. You must document that the fee does not apply — for example, proving the delivery address is commercial via a county assessor record. Most carriers have a formal dispute process. File within 30 days of the invoice date for best results.

Is residential delivery the same as liftgate?

No — they are separate charges. Residential delivery is triggered by address classification. Liftgate is triggered by absence of a loading dock. A residential home without a dock is billed BOTH charges.

Does fuel surcharge change often?

Yes. US LTL carriers update FSC every Monday based on the prior week's US EIA National Average Diesel price. It applies as a percentage of the base linehaul rate only — not on other accessorials.

How do I avoid limited access surcharges?

Request your carrier's list of limited access location types before shipping. Options: (1) negotiate inclusive rates via freight broker, (2) redirect freight to a carrier terminal for customer pickup, or (3) use a specialty carrier that doesn't assess limited access fees.

Accessorial Tariffs & Regulatory Benchmarks

Fuel surcharge percentages across North American LTL carriers are formally pegged to the weekly diesel fuel price index tracked by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) . Accessorial billing definitions, driver detention allowances, and carrier tariff rules are regulated under FMCSA Commercial Regulations .