Fuel and Accessorial Guide
The rate quote is transportation for billable weight. The invoice adds fuel and any accessorial that actually applied. This page defines those lines so a statement is readable and so you can pack or address a carton to avoid a fee you do not need.
Fuel surcharge
Fuel is a percentage of the transportation charge, not a flat dollar on every carton. The percentage in force is the one published for the ship date, which can differ from the day you stored a quote. Express and Ground can use different tables. Freight uses a freight fuel table. Fuel applies even when diesel or jet fuel moved after you locked a customer’s checkout price; your contract may allow you to pass it through.
We do not hide fuel inside the base rate on this site. If a competitor quote looks lower, compare whether fuel is already baked in.
Accessorials you can plan for
| Name | When it applies | How to avoid it when you can |
|---|---|---|
| Residential delivery | The destination is a home or a location we classify as residential | Use a business dock when the buyer truly has one. Do not mark residential as commercial. |
| Additional handling | Weight, packaging, or shape that cannot ride the standard belt safely | Use a cuboid carton under the published limits. Palletize when it is freight. |
| Oversize / large package | Length or length-plus-girth over the parcel thresholds | Measure before you pack. See Packaging Advisor. |
| Signature | You requested indirect, direct, or adult signature | Request it only when the commodity or the buyer requires it. |
| Address correction | We had to complete or correct the address to deliver | Include unit numbers. Use the address book. |
| Missing pickup | Courier dispatched and cartons were not ready | Cancel before dispatch or have labels on the floor at ready time. |
| Return / undeliverable | Consignee refused or the address failed | Confirm the buyer and the unit number before print. |
Dimensional weight versus accessorials
Dimensional weight is not an accessorial. It is the billable weight method. Additional handling is a separate fee for how the carton must be processed. A carton can trigger both. Quotes on Get Rates estimate transportation; they remind you that fuel and accessorials can still post.
Disputing a surcharge
Use Billing and Invoices with the tracking number and photos of the carton if you dispute additional handling or oversize. We compare those photos with the measurements at the hub. A dispute filed after the claims window for invoice correction follows the statement terms, not the damage-claim window.
Contract customers may have different accessorial schedules. The account agreement wins when it names a fee this page also names.