Logistics providers include independent freight brokers, owner-operator carriers, last-mile delivery businesses, freight forwarders, and small third-party logistics (3PL) companies. They invoice shippers, retailers, and manufacturers for moving, storing, and coordinating freight. A typical invoice covers line haul or delivery charges, fuel surcharges, accessorials like liftgate or detention, and warehousing or handling fees.
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Pricing depends on the mode and the service. Truckload freight is usually priced per mile or as a flat lane rate between two points, with a fuel surcharge added. Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments are priced by weight, freight class, and distance, often with a minimum charge. Local and last-mile delivery is priced per stop, per package, or per hour for a driver and vehicle. Warehousing is billed per pallet per month, plus handling charges for receiving, picking, and shipping. Brokers earn a margin over the carrier cost, commonly 10 to 20 percent of the load. Accessorial charges such as detention, layover, lumper fees, liftgate service, inside delivery, and redelivery are billed separately and should be agreed on before the shipment moves.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Dry van truckload (line haul) | per mile | $2.00-3.00 |
| Local or regional box truck delivery | per hour | $75-125 |
| Last-mile delivery | per stop | $6-20 |
| Pallet storage (warehousing) | per pallet per month | $15-35 |
| Pick and pack fulfillment | per order | $2.50-6.00 |
| Detention (after 2 hours free time) | per hour | $40-75 |
| Liftgate or inside delivery | per shipment | $50-150 |
| Freight brokerage margin | percent of load | 10-20% |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truckload, 53' dry van, Dallas TX to Atlanta GA (781 mi), BOL #48213 | 781 mile | $2.35 | $1,835.35 |
| Fuel surcharge | 781 mile | $0.38 | $296.78 |
| Detention at delivery, 3.5 hrs total less 2 hrs free time | 1.5 hour | $55.00 | $82.50 |
| Lumper fee at receiver (receipt attached) | 1 each | $175.00 | $175.00 |
| Pallet storage, 12 pallets, June | 12 pallet | $22.00 | $264.00 |
| Total | $2,653.63 | ||
Notes: Payment due Net 30 from invoice date. Invoice references PO #77104 and BOL #48213; signed proof of delivery and lumper receipt attached. Late balances accrue 1.5% per month. ACH preferred.
The signed POD proves the freight was delivered in good condition. Many shippers and brokers will not pay without it.
Lets the customer match the charge to a specific shipment and lane, and settles questions about timing.
Accounts payable departments often match invoices to POs and reject ones that do not carry the number.
Separate lines make it clear what was agreed in the rate confirmation and what was added, which reduces disputes.
Customers rarely pay third-party fees without a receipt, and attaching it avoids a back-and-forth.
Detention is a common dispute. Gate-in, gate-out, and free time details back up the charge.
Shippers use these to verify you as an authorized carrier or broker and to set up payment correctly.
Net 30 is standard in freight, and larger shippers often push for Net 45 or Net 60. Small carriers commonly ask for faster terms such as Net 15 or use factoring, where a factoring company advances most of the invoice for a fee of roughly 1 to 5 percent. Quick-pay programs offered by brokers trade a small discount for payment in a few days. For warehousing and recurring delivery work, bill monthly and require a deposit or first month in advance for new accounts. Late fees of 1 to 1.5 percent per month are common if stated in your contract. ACH and wire are typical for larger invoices, and checks are still used by some shippers.
A signed rate confirmation or service agreement should list the rate, fuel surcharge, free time, and accessorial prices. It is the document you point to if the customer disputes the invoice.
Send the invoice as soon as you have the signed POD. Payment terms usually start from the invoice date or receipt of documents, so delays push your cash back.
Record arrival time, check-in time, and departure time, and notify the broker or shipper while the truck is still waiting. Detention claimed after the fact is often denied.
Many contracts set short windows for submitting invoices and for disputing charges. Check your agreements so you do not lose payment on a technicality.
Check credit on new shippers and brokers, and set a limit on open balances. A single unpaid load can wipe out the margin on many others.
Yes, in most cases. A separate line, often tied to the national average diesel price, keeps your base rate stable and shows the customer how the charge is calculated. Make sure the method is in your agreement.
Set free time in your rate confirmation, commonly two hours. Bill hours beyond that at the agreed hourly rate, and include arrival and departure times as proof.
You can if the fee is stated in your contract or terms before the work is done. Common rates are 1 to 1.5 percent per month. Check your state's rules on maximum interest.
Usually yes. Most shippers and brokers require a signed BOL or POD with the invoice, and it is the best proof that the delivery was completed.
Ask for the claim in writing with photos and the notation on the delivery receipt. Pay attention to the claim deadline in your contract, and invoice any undisputed portion separately so it gets paid.
Send a Logistics estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Logistics estimate template