Accessorial

Storage accessorial explained

A charge tied to holding freight or equipment when delivery or release is delayed.

Updated 2026-06-04

Written and reviewed by LaneMath Editorial Team. Updated 2026-06-04. LaneMath pages are maintained as practical carrier education using public references, example-only math, and internal editorial review.

Carrier context

Storage is a holding-cost issue that can involve freight, trailer, yard space, or equipment time while release or delivery is delayed.

When it applies

  • Freight or equipment must be held because the receiver, broker, shipper, or consignee cannot complete delivery or release.
  • The hold creates yard, warehouse, trailer, or operational cost beyond normal transit.
  • The event is tied to the load and is outside the basic linehaul move.
  • The broker, shipper, or receiver instructions create extra time, labor, mileage, or out-of-pocket cost.
  • The rate confirmation or written approval gives a path for requesting the charge.

What to check on the rate confirmation

  • Storage rate, start time, location, release process, trailer detention language, and who authorizes the hold.
  • Whether storage is billed daily, hourly, by pallet, by trailer, or as a flat charge.
  • Whether the charge is already included in the all-in rate.
  • Free time, approval process, dollar amount, and documentation requirements.
  • Who must approve the charge and whether a revised confirmation is required.

Common documentation

  • Hold instruction, storage location record, release notice, timestamps, and any warehouse or yard receipt.
  • Messages showing who requested the freight or equipment be held.
  • Arrival and departure times when time is part of the request.
  • Receipts, signed paperwork, gate records, emails, or text approvals.
  • POD, BOL, revised confirmation, and invoice notes.

Negotiation notes

  • Get written holding instructions before leaving freight or equipment in storage.
  • Ask how storage interacts with redelivery, layover, trailer detention, and billing paperwork.
  • Ask before the cost is incurred when possible.
  • Keep the request factual and tied to written load terms.
  • Do not assume approval from a phone conversation; request written confirmation.

Example wording

Please confirm storage instructions, approved rate, start time, release process, and how the charge should appear on the billing packet.

References and methodology