A fictional freight audit example, from invoice to settlement.

Fictional scenario

This example uses fictional data only. Northstar Industrial Supply receives an LTL invoice from fictional carrier Blue River Freight for shipment FR-1001. The carrier invoice totals $1,167.60.

The customer's effective rate confirmation shows a base transportation charge of $820.00, fuel at 18% of base transportation, and one authorized liftgate charge of $75.00.

Independent expected-charge calculation

Base transportation: $820.00

Fuel: $820.00 × 18% = $147.60

Liftgate: $75.00

Expected total: $1,042.60

The invoice contains a second $125.00 liftgate/accessorial line not supported by the rate confirmation or delivery record. The initial difference is therefore $125.00.

Evidence review

The auditor preserves the invoice, rate confirmation, BOL, POD, delivery notes, and the rate source's effective date. The delivery record supports one liftgate service, not two. No separate service event or amendment explains the additional $125 charge.

At this stage the $125 is a supported discrepancy, not recovered money.

Claim and carrier response

The customer authorizes pursuit. The claim identifies the invoice, shipment, disputed charge, controlling authority, evidence, and expected-charge calculation. The carrier approves a $125 credit.

Settlement is a separate event

The credit appears on the customer's carrier statement and is reconciled to shipment FR-1001. Only then is $125.00 recorded as actual recovered funds. If the carrier later reverses that credit, the recovery record must be reduced accordingly.

Why this workflow matters

The sequence prevents three common errors: treating a spreadsheet difference as money owed, submitting a claim without the controlling rate source, and calling an approved claim recovered before the credit or refund actually posts.

This is a fictional illustration, not a customer result or recovery-rate claim.

Run the same evidence sequence on your freight population

No freight files are accepted through the public form. Scope and a secure intake route are confirmed first.

Related resources

Freight audit services · Freight invoice audit · Overcharge recovery · Methodology