| Accessorial | When | Usually paid | Proof needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detention | Waiting beyond free time (usually 2 h) at shipper or receiver | Per hour after free time (~$40–75/h, per the RC) | In/out times on BOL/POD or ELD + broker approval |
| Layover | The truck sits a full day because of the customer | Flat per day (~$150–300) | Written broker confirmation |
| Lumper | Warehouse workers unload for a fee | Reimbursed at the receipt amount | Lumper receipt + broker approval |
| TONU | Load cancelled after the truck left or arrived | Flat (~$150–250) | Cancellation email + TONU confirmation |
| Extra stop | Additional pickup or delivery | Per stop (~$50–100) | On the RC or a revised RC |
Amounts vary by broker and are set on each rate confirmation.
Arrived 08:00, left 13:00 = 5 hours. Free time 2 hours = 3 billable hours. At $50/hour = $150. Many rate cons require the driver to be on time for the appointment; a late driver usually loses detention.
No written confirmation, no accessorial. The right flow: the driver updates the dispatcher in real time; the dispatcher notifies the broker during the wait; the broker approves by email or revised RC; accounting attaches the proof to the invoice, on a separate line.
In one fleet, almost 35% of detention requests were rejected for lack of confirmation. A simple email template sent as soon as the free time ended cut rejections sharply.
Truck Ordered, Not Used: a fee paid when a broker cancels a load after the truck was dispatched or arrived.
Usually 2 hours at each stop, but the rate confirmation decides.
Often yes. Many companies pay drivers detention, layover and extra-stop pay. If accounting does not collect it from the broker, the company pays it out of pocket.
Most small carriers lose money on accessorials they never invoice. We bill them with the right proof and follow up until they are paid.
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