Accessorial charges are the extra fees beyond the linehaul rate. They are easy to mix up, and billing the wrong one is an easy way to get a claim kicked back. Here are the four that matter most to small fleets.
Detention
What it is: Pay for time a truck is held at a shipper or receiver beyond the free time, usually two hours.
How it is paid: An hourly rate after free time, as stated in the rate confirmation.
What to document: ELD/GPS arrival and departure, BOL in and out times, and timely notice. See detention claim evidence.
Layover
What it is: Pay when a truck is held overnight or long enough that the driver cannot complete the load the same day, usually because the facility could not load or unload as scheduled.
How it is paid: Typically a flat daily amount. Some rate cons switch from detention to layover after a set number of hours, so read the terms before billing both.
What to document: Appointment times, the reason for the delay in writing, and the date the load was finally worked.
TONU (truck ordered, not used)
What it is: Pay when a load is canceled after the truck was dispatched or arrived.
How it is paid: Usually a flat fee.
What to document: The cancellation message and its time, plus proof the truck was dispatched or on site.
Lumper fees
What it is: Reimbursement for third-party unloading labor paid at the dock.
How it is paid: Reimbursed at cost, often requiring broker approval before payment.
What to document: The lumper receipt and the approval, if the broker issued one.
One rule for all of them
Every accessorial is only as collectible as the rate con makes it. Confirm the terms at booking, follow any notice or approval steps exactly, and file each charge with its proof as soon as the load delivers. For detention specifically, start with how to get paid for detention.