A common additional charge we see frequently stems from these two issues: freight being reclassified and freight being reweighed. Sometimes these freight carrier invoice charges only change the price by a couple dollars and sometimes it changes the cost by a couple hundred, but either way it is more than you expected to pay based on the original freight quote/price.
Why is freight reclassified?
Most freight travels under a specific NMFC number (National Motor Freight Classification) which is split into several sub-freight-classes based upon the density of the freight (please see our video of how to calculate freight density if this sounds unfamiliar).
Freight is most commonly reclassified when the carrier inspects the shipment. Even though the accurate weight was originally stated, the carrier found different dimensions. This results in a higher density than what the freight was originally being billed at, in turn additional fees will be added to fit the correct freight class.
Why is freight reweighed?
Carriers reserve the right to inspect all of the freight that they pick up and handle and they will do so at random, checking the dimensions and total weight of random freight they handle throughout a day. If your freight happens to be inspected and a new weight is found, they will send an accompanying reweigh certificate that justifies their actions.
Is there any way to dispute a reclassification or a reweigh?
Yes! Here at TForce Worldwide we are constantly working on behalf of our customers by disputing these additional charges on their freight bill, however, if a carrier has certificates to justify their actions our hands are tied. That’s where you come in.
Bottom line, make sure to hold on to the documentation that shows the original shipment weight and dimensions of the freight you shipped. This includes packing slips, scale certificates, catalog references displaying the dimensions, NMFC codes and the weight of what is being shipped. That way we can provide the carrier with that documentation and further any dispute on your behalf.