How to Avoid Freight Reclassification Fees

Carriers inspect, measure and weigh freight, often automatically at the dock. If what they find doesn't match your bill of lading, they re-rate the shipment and many add an inspection or correction fee on top.

The most common causes

• Overhang. Product hanging over the pallet edge counts toward the dimensions.
• Rounded-down measurements. Measure to the highest point, and don't round down.
• Missing pallet weight. An empty pallet weighs roughly 30 to 50 lb, so include it.
• Old classes saved in software. Many changed on July 19, 2025.
• Non-stackable freight billed as stackable.

Checklist before every pickup

1. Weigh the finished pallet, wrapped, on a calibrated scale.
2. Measure L × W × H at the widest points.
3. Recalculate density and class. Don't reuse last month's number.
4. Write the dimensions on the BOL. Carriers dispute less when the dimensions are declared.
5. Photograph the pallet next to a tape measure. It's your evidence if you need to dispute.

Use the freight class calculator for one pallet, or the bulk tool to audit a full month of shipments.