Common accessorial charges and rates
| Charge | What it covers | Common rate |
|---|---|---|
| Detention | Waiting at a shipper or receiver past the free time, usually 2 hours | $50–$100 an hour after free time |
| Layover | Held overnight or longer because a load isn't ready or can't deliver | $150–$300 a day for owner-operators |
| TONU (truck ordered, not used) | The load is cancelled after you were dispatched or arrived | $150–$300 flat, sometimes more for long deadhead |
| Stop-off (extra stop) | Each pickup or delivery beyond the first | $50–$150 per stop |
| Lumper | A warehouse crew loads or unloads the trailer | Actual cost, reimbursed with the receipt |
| Driver assist / unload | You load, unload or count freight yourself | $75–$200 per load |
| Tarping (flatbed) | Tarping the load for weather or the customer | $50–$150 per load, more for steel tarps |
| Redelivery / reconsignment | Delivery is refused, or the shipper changes the destination | Flat fee plus extra miles |
| Liftgate / inside delivery | Box truck and LTL work without a dock | $50–$150 each |
| Fuel surcharge | Extra pay when diesel is above a base price, often on contract freight | Per mile, from a published table |
Common rates are ranges seen on broker rate confirmations and carrier rate sheets for owner-operators and small carriers. They are negotiable and vary by broker, shipper and freight type. Company drivers usually receive a smaller share of these charges from their carrier.
Detention: how to get paid for waiting
Detention starts when free time ends, usually two hours after your appointment time, not after you arrive. Most brokers need:
- You were on time for the appointment.
- You told the broker when you arrived and again when free time ran out.
- Check-in and check-out times on the bill of lading, signed if possible, or ELD/GPS records.
Detention pay = (hours at the dock − free hours) × hourly rate
Example: arrived 7:55 for an 8:00 appointment, left 12:30
(4.5 − 2) × $75 = $187.50
Some brokers cap detention per day or only pay after a full hour past free time. Read the rate confirmation.
Layover and TONU
Layover pays you when you're stuck overnight or longer, for example when the shipper isn't ready or the receiver can't take the load until tomorrow. Owner-operators often bill $150–$300 a day, because a day sitting is a day of truck payment, insurance and lost revenue.
TONU (truck ordered, not used) pays you when a load is cancelled after you've been dispatched or arrived. Ask for enough to cover the deadhead you ran. Get the TONU amount in writing when the broker cancels.
Stop-off, lumper and other fees
Stop-off fees cover each extra pickup or delivery. An extra stop can add an hour or two and some out-of-route miles, so price it like time. If you take partials, the partial load calculator builds stop fees into the quote.
Lumper fees are paid to warehouse crews. Pay with a broker-issued payment code or get a receipt and bill it back. Never absorb a lumper fee yourself.
Bobtail means driving a tractor with no trailer. Some carriers bill a bobtail or repositioning fee when a customer asks for a tractor-only move. For leased owner-operators, "bobtail" usually shows up as non-trucking liability (bobtail) insurance deducted from settlements.
Get it in writing, then bill fast
- Before you book, ask: what's the free time, the detention rate, the layover rate and the TONU amount?
- Make sure those numbers are on the rate confirmation.
- Send arrival and departure times as they happen.
- Bill accessorials with the load paperwork, not weeks later. Many brokers deny late claims.
Then check the whole load, accessorials included, in the load profit calculator.
Common questions
What is a stop-off fee in trucking?
A charge for each extra pickup or delivery beyond the first, usually $50 to $150 per stop, to pay for the extra time and miles.
How much is layover pay for owner-operators?
Commonly $150 to $300 a day. Company drivers are typically paid less, often $50 to $150 a day by their carrier.
What is TONU in trucking?
Truck ordered, not used: a fee paid to the carrier when a load is cancelled after the truck was dispatched or arrived, usually $150 to $300.
How long is free time before detention?
Usually two hours at each shipper and receiver, counted from the appointment time. Check the rate confirmation, as some brokers use different terms.
What is a bobtail fee?
A charge for moving a tractor without a trailer at a customer's request. Leased owner-operators may also see a bobtail (non-trucking liability) insurance deduction on settlements.