Accessorials are where quiet leakage hides. Brokers should confirm rate confirmation authorization and supporting evidence before paying. Detention typically requires timestamps and free-time math; lumper often requires a receipt.
In pre-pay freight audit, each accessorial line should answer three questions: Was it authorized on the rate confirmation? Does the packet include the expected evidence? Does the billed amount match the agreed rate or tariff? When any answer is no, the invoice should go to Needs Review or Reject — not silently into the payment batch.
Common broker accessorials include detention, layover, lumper/handling, truck order not used (TONU), and fuel surcharges treated as separate lines. Treating the invoice total as a single number hides which of those lines drove the overcharge.
More glossary terms
- Detention — Charges for driver wait time beyond free time, usually proven with POD arrival and delivery timestamps.
- Proof of Delivery (POD) — Shipment evidence documenting delivery conditions and often timestamps used for detention and claims.
- Bill of Lading (BOL) — The shipping document listing goods, parties, and often special instructions used as shipment evidence.
- Duplicate Freight Invoice — A repeated invoice, PRO, or identical PDF that risks a second payment for the same load.
