The quote said one number; the invoice says another. Nine times out of ten, the difference is accessorials — extra services the carrier performed beyond a standard dock-to-dock move. None of them are mysterious, and most are avoidable if you know what triggers them. Here are the accessorial charges South Florida shippers see most, and how to keep them off your bill.
The most common LTL accessorial charges
Liftgate service
If the pickup or delivery location has no loading dock or forklift, the driver needs a truck with a hydraulic liftgate to get pallets to ground level. That special equipment costs extra. If your receiver has a dock, say so on the BOL — and if they don’t, request the liftgate upfront rather than paying a surprise fee plus a possible redelivery.
Residential delivery
Homes, apartment complexes, and businesses located in residential zones cost more to serve: smaller trucks, tighter streets, and someone has to be there to receive. E-commerce sellers shipping heavy items to consumers see this constantly — it is a big part of why last-mile costs are so hard to control.
Limited access
Schools, construction sites, military bases, storage facilities, ports, and — very relevant in Miami — cruise terminals and event venues count as limited-access locations. Extra security checks, gate procedures, and waiting time drive the fee.
Redelivery and detention
If nobody can receive the freight, the carrier has to bring it back and try again — a redelivery charge. If the driver waits excessively while loading or unloading, detention applies. Both usually trace back to communication gaps between shipper, receiver, and carrier.
Reweigh and reclassification
If the terminal scale disagrees with the BOL, you pay the corrected rate plus an inspection fee. Accurate dims and an honest freight class prevent this entirely.
Inside delivery
Standard LTL ends at the tailgate or the door. Bringing freight past the threshold, up stairs, or to a specific room is inside delivery — and if you need placement, unpacking, and debris removal, what you really want is white-glove service, quoted as such from the start.
How to keep accessorials under control
First, describe both ends of the move accurately when you book: dock or no dock, business hours, gate procedures, contact phone numbers. Second, tell your receiver the delivery window and what they need ready. Third, if your freight regularly moves to venues, ports, or residences, work with a local carrier whose base service already includes those environments. Our South Florida courier rates are flat by design for exactly this reason — and for event work like trade shows, our event logistics team builds venue requirements into the plan instead of billing them as surprises.
Frequently asked questions
What is an accessorial charge in freight?
Any fee for services beyond standard dock-to-dock pickup and delivery — liftgate, residential, limited access, inside delivery, redelivery, detention, reweigh, and similar extras listed in the carrier’s tariff.
Can accessorial charges be negotiated?
Often, yes. High-volume shippers can negotiate flat or waived accessorials in their pricing agreements, and choosing a carrier whose standard service matches your delivery profile eliminates many fees outright.
Why was I charged a liftgate fee when I didn’t ask for one?
If the delivery location had no dock, the driver likely needed the liftgate to complete delivery safely. The fix is to flag dock availability for every address when booking.