LTL invoices combine enough variables to hide expensive small errors.

LTL-specific audit surfaces

Review commonly includes base rates, discounts, minimum charges, freight class, weight, reweighs, reclassification, fuel, liftgate, limited access, residential service, appointment fees, detention, and duplicate billing.

Reweigh and reclass review

A carrier adjustment may be valid, unsupported, or based on evidence that conflicts with the shipper's records. Preserve the original shipment data and the carrier's adjustment basis before deciding whether the charge is disputable.

Minimums and discounts

A discounted rate may still be subject to lane or account minimums. The audit should reproduce the actual tariff and discount sequence rather than applying a headline discount to the invoice total.

Best source package

Useful records can include invoices, bills of lading, rate schedules, NMFC or class support where applicable, shipment weight and dimensions, carrier adjustment notices, POD, and later credits or payment records.

How an LTL freight audit works

1. Match the invoice to the shipment, BOL and PRO.
2. Resolve the contract, tariff, lane, discount and minimum that applied on the shipment date.
3. Recalculate linehaul and fuel using the controlling source.
4. Test class, weight, reweigh and reclassification against available shipment and carrier evidence.
5. Validate accessorial entitlement and pricing separately.
6. Route conflicting or incomplete evidence to human review.
7. Reconcile any approved credit or refund to the validated finding and account for later reversals.

Example: a reclassification is not automatically an overcharge

If an LTL carrier changes a shipment from one freight class to another, the invoice difference is only the beginning of the review. The auditor should preserve the original class, commodity or density support, carrier reclassification evidence, controlling rate structure, billed amount and recalculated amount. If the shipment evidence does not resolve the class, the case remains in review rather than becoming a recovery claim.

LTL freight audit FAQ

Start with a $0-upfront freight audit

Begin with non-sensitive business details. Freight files move only after scope and a secure intake route are confirmed.

Questions: email RETALLY. 715 Yorktowne Road, Pottsville, PA 17901.

Related freight-audit resources

carrier rate audit · accessorial charge audit · freight invoice audit