Reviewed . Named sources and dates
Check both ends of the shipment
- Equipment
- Confirm dock or forklift availability at pickup and delivery. Describe any need to move the freight between truck height and ground level.
- Location and access
- Identify residential premises, gates, security checks and vehicle restrictions. Give the actual site conditions with the address.
- People and timing
- Confirm staffed receiving hours, a working contact number, and whether notice or a booked appointment is required.
- Delivery position
- State where freight needs to be left. Check what the quoted service includes before assuming indoor movement or extra handling.
Definitions below use XPO CNWY 199-AK.3, effective August 17, 2026, as a carrier-specific example. Reviewed October 25, 2026. Prices and conditions depend on the applicable carrier agreement and tariff.
What the service names mean
Use this table to describe your requirements to the carrier. It is a service reference rather than a price estimate. XPO section numbers are tariff references, not NMFC commodity identifiers.
| Service | Meaning in this example | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Liftgate / special loading | Equipment or additional loading work to move freight between the vehicle and ground. Confirm availability, safe access and shipment compatibility. | Is a dock or suitable forklift available? Where will the freight be placed? |
| Inside pickup / delivery | Moving freight beyond the immediately adjacent loading or unloading positions defined by the carrier. | What exact pickup or delivery position is needed? Are stairs or other obstacles involved? |
| Residential | Service at residential premises. Under this tariff, a home business can still be residential. | Is any private dwelling located on the premises? |
| Limited access | Restricted access or operating conditions, such as gates, security checks, restricted hours or unavailable staff. | What access instructions, restrictions and receiving arrangements apply? |
| Detention | Time beyond the applicable loading or unloading allowance. The allowance and conditions come from the carrier’s rules. | Who will be ready to load or unload? How will arrival and departure be recorded? |
| Notification / appointment | Notification before arrival and arranging a delivery date, time or window are distinct services in this tariff. | Is a call sufficient, or must someone agree to a particular receiving window? |
| Redelivery | Another delivery attempt under the tariff’s stated conditions when the first cannot be completed. | Are the address, recipient contact, opening hours and access instructions correct? |
| Storage | Holding freight under conditions described in the tariff; separate from unloading detention. | Can the receiver accept the shipment when tendered, and what happens if it cannot? |
Worked scenario: a warehouse to a home business
Imagine one hypothetical loaded pallet measuring 48 × 40 × 48 in, with a gross weight of 600 lb. The shipper has a staffed warehouse dock. The receiver operates a business from a residence, has no dock or forklift and wants a morning delivery window.
The dimensions and weight belong in the freight class calculation. They do not answer whether the delivery location needs a liftgate, whether residential provisions apply, or what arranging the requested window involves. Under XPO’s cited definitions, those are separate questions for the quote.
Origin: staffed commercial dock; confirm pickup hours and equipment compatibility.
Destination: business at a residence; no dock or forklift; describe the receiving surface and vehicle access.
Requested timing: morning window; ask the carrier which appointment or time-specific service, if available, meets the request.
Written confirmation: ask which services are included, what delivery position is covered, and what changes would alter the quote.
This example does not assign fees or guarantee service availability. XPO distinguishes residential premises in Item 224, liftgate or special loading in Item 218, and appointments in Item 253. An appointment should not be assumed to provide a guaranteed arrival service.
Describe the service precisely
“Call before delivery” and “book a delivery appointment” can lead to different service arrangements. In XPO’s tariff, Item 221 addresses notification and Item 253 addresses appointments. State whether the receiver needs information that the truck is coming or must agree to a particular date, time or window.
Likewise, liftgate service does not establish an indoor delivery destination. XPO describes inside pickup or delivery separately from liftgate or special loading. Specify the intended handoff point and any obstacles; confirm what the carrier can safely provide.
Several needs can apply to one shipment. Carrier tariffs also contain inclusions and exclusions, so do not simply add every category in a tariff. Ask for the applicable services and assumptions in writing. Find current documents through the XPO tariff library or your own carrier’s equivalent.
Keep the quote and shipment instructions consistent
Use the same addresses, contacts, receiving hours and service requests when booking and preparing the shipment documentation. Confirm changes before pickup where possible. The pallet shipping guide covers preparation, while how to measure a pallet covers the finished dimensions and weight.
If a later invoice adds a service, compare that line with the quote and the actual pickup or delivery conditions. A class change is a different issue; use the reclassification guide to investigate the measurements or classification. The freight guides index connects these steps.
Questions before you ship
How much do LTL accessorial charges cost?
There is no single price table that applies to every carrier and shipment. Ask for a written quote using the actual origin, destination, equipment and service needs, then check the agreement and applicable tariff. This guide explains service categories without presenting a carrier’s listed fee as your price.
Does liftgate service include inside delivery?
Do not assume that it does. XPO’s tariff describes liftgate or special loading in Item 218 and inside pickup or delivery separately in Item 216. Confirm both the unloading method and the place where the carrier will leave the freight.
Is a delivery appointment the same as a call before delivery?
XPO distinguishes prior notification from arranging an appointment in Items 221 and 253. A notice that the truck is arriving is different from an agreed delivery date, time or window. Confirm the service requested in the quote.
Is a business address always commercial delivery?
No. Under XPO tariff Item 224, a business operating at a private residence can be treated as residential. Describe the actual premises and access conditions to your carrier; the business name alone does not settle the service category.
Can more than one accessorial apply?
Several services or site conditions can apply to one shipment, but carrier rules may include combinations, inclusions or exclusions. Ask the carrier to identify applicable services and quote assumptions instead of adding every listed tariff charge yourself.
Sources and review date
All sources checked October 25, 2026. Carrier examples describe the cited XPO documents; your carrier and agreement may differ.
XPO CNWY 199-AK.3 rules tariffEffective August 17, 2026. Section references on this page use the printed PDF page numbers.
XPO tariff libraryCheck for the version applicable to your shipment and agreement.