Detention, Demurrage & Freight Accessorial Charges Explained

Your freight quote said $3,200. The invoice says $4,450. What happened? Usually the answer is accessorial charges — extra fees for services beyond the basic pickup-and-delivery. Some are legitimate. Some are avoidable. And knowing what they are before you book is how you keep your freight budget under control.

The Big Three

Detention

Detention is a fee for holding the truck at a pickup or delivery beyond the free loading/unloading time. Standard free time is 2 hours per stop. After that, the meter starts.

Typical rate: $65–$95 per hour, sometimes with a 4-hour minimum after free time expires. Reefer detention runs higher because the unit is burning fuel.

Demurrage

Demurrage applies to ocean containers sitting at a port terminal past free time. It's charged by the terminal, not the carrier. Free time is usually 3–5 days after vessel discharge. After that:

• Days 4–7: often $150–$250/day
• Days 8–14: often $250–$400/day
• Day 15+: often $400+/day, escalating

See our Port of Vancouver drayage guide for how to avoid demurrage.

Per Diem (Container Detention)

Per diem is charged by the ocean carrier for their container sitting outside the terminal — at your warehouse or yard — past free time. Usually $75–$200/day, and it runs concurrent with demurrage in some situations.

Other Common Accessorials

TONU (Truck Order Not Used)

You booked a truck. The truck showed up. Your freight wasn't ready. TONU covers the driver's day. Usually $150–$400.

Layover

Driver was routed to a delivery that couldn't happen same-day, forcing an overnight stay. Usually $200–$350/day.

Redelivery

Truck arrived at the delivery, no one to receive it, driver had to come back another day. Usually $150–$300 or the full delivery cost again.

Liftgate

Delivery location has no dock. Truck needs a liftgate (hydraulic tail lift) to lower freight to the ground. $75–$150 per side (pickup or delivery).

Inside Delivery

Driver takes freight past the loading dock and inside the building. $85–$200 depending on complexity.

Residential Pickup/Delivery

Location is a home rather than a business. Requires smaller trucks and often triggers additional insurance. $85–$175.

Limited Access

Locations like schools, prisons, farms, military bases, storage facilities, and construction sites. Requires special check-ins or restricted hours. $85–$175.

Appointment / Notification

Delivery needs a scheduled time window or advance call. $25–$75.

Fuel Surcharge

Not really an accessorial — it's built into most rates. Currently runs 28%–35% of the linehaul rate for FTL. Shifts weekly with diesel prices.

Hazmat

Dangerous goods classification and handling. Rate premium 15%–30% plus specific placarding and paperwork fees.

Reweigh / Reclassification

The LTL carrier weighed and measured your freight at their terminal. Your declared weight or freight class was off. You get charged the difference — sometimes doubling the invoice. This is the #1 surprise fee in LTL.

Why Accessorials Show Up on Invoices Even When You Didn't "Ask" for Them

Carriers charge for actual conditions, not just requested services. If the truck arrives and discovers a liftgate is needed, you're getting billed for a liftgate — even if it wasn't on the BOL. The best way to avoid this is disclose everything at quote time. See our freight quote guide for the checklist.

How to Avoid Surprise Fees

1. Disclose accessorials up front. Liftgate, residential, inside delivery — all of it.
2. Provide accurate weight and dimensions. Reclassification is the biggest hidden cost in LTL.
3. Have freight ready when the truck arrives. Avoid detention and TONU.
4. Confirm receiver is available. Avoid redelivery fees.
5. Book customs clearance and drayage together. Avoid demurrage on port containers.
6. Ask for an itemized quote. Base rate, fuel, accessorials — separate lines. If the invoice doesn't match, you can push back.

Accessorial fees aren't a scam — they're compensation for real work. But they should never be a surprise on the invoice. That's on the shipper to disclose and the carrier to communicate.