EngagementThe federal window to contest a freight bill is 180 days. An audit that runs quarterly has already spent most of it.

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LTL freight audit and overcharge recovery

Every LTL invoice checked against the contract, the governing tariff, the bill of lading, the freight class and the services the carrier actually provided.

Free contract review Talk it through first

0 daysFederal window to contest a freight bill

8–12%Industry-quoted LTL error rate before audit

0 inputsBehind one LTL charge, so a correct total proves nothing

$0Contingency on what is actually recovered

In shortA brief explanation of the service and what it covers.

What is an LTL freight audit?

The short answer

An LTL freight audit is the process of checking every carrier invoice against your agreement, the governing tariff, the bill of lading and how the shipment actually moved. It verifies the base rate and discount, minimum charge, freight class and NMFC code, billed weight and any reweigh, the fuel surcharge for that week, and every accessorial. Each difference becomes a documented finding carrying the charge, the term behind it and the calculation. Our team files those findings as claims, so the carrier bills the rates and terms you agreed to.

Our LTL freight audit checks rates, minimum charges, freight class, NMFC, billed weight, reweighs, fuel and accessorials. Every discrepancy is documented with the contract term and the calculation behind it, and our team files the claim that holds the carrier to the terms you agreed.

The problemThe terms and billing details we review before estimating savings.

Check the details behind each LTL charge.

An LTL charge depends on freight class, billed weight, base rate, discount, minimum charge and fuel. Not all of these inputs are clear on the invoice.

We compare the bill with shipment records and contract terms to check reclassifications, reweighs, missing discounts, fuel calculations and accessorials such as liftgate service.

Each discrepancy includes the calculation and supporting records needed to explain the dispute to the carrier.

The leversWe review the specific terms that affect what you pay.

What the audit checks.

ebb Logic™, our audit engine, runs these checks on every LTL invoice, comparing each charge with your contract, the shipment records and the applicable tariff.

Contracted rate and discount: Checks the contracted discount by lane, freight class and weight break.
Base tariff and rate base: Verifies that the carrier used the base tariff named in the agreement.
Absolute minimum charge: Checks the negotiated minimum, any waiver, and whether the calculation uses discounted or undiscounted linehaul as required.
FAK provision: Checks that the FAK class in the agreement was applied to eligible freight.
Freight class and NMFC code: Compares the billed class with the bill of lading and the applicable NMFC item classification.
Density calculation: Pounds per cubic foot computed from the declared dimensions and weight, against the restructured NMFC density scale in force since July 2025. Density now determines class for most palletized freight from six pounds per cubic foot upward.
Billed weight and reweigh: Compares billed weight with the bill of lading, any certified reweigh record and the tolerance in your agreement.
Carrier reclassification: Reviews the inspection records and other evidence supporting a carrier's class change.
Fuel surcharge and index: Checks the fuel percentage, applicable DOE index week, calculation basis and any contractual cap.
Accessorial charges: Verifies that each accessorial service was required and billed at the agreed rate, including liftgate, limited access, detention, redelivery, overlength and hazmat.
Duplicate invoices and duplicate payments: Checks repeated PRO numbers, duplicate payments and shipments billed by both a broker and carrier.
Balance-due bills and the 180-day window: Supplemental bills arriving after the federal window has closed, which are not owed, and charges on your side approaching the same deadline.
Delivery and service failure: Reviews delivery records and whether a missed guaranteed commitment qualifies for a claim.

Sample reportA real report from real invoices. The shipper's name, tracking numbers and account numbers are masked; every figure is untouched.

What you actually receive.

Parcel and pallet freight in one document, each priced the same way: against the shipper's own shipments rather than a published tariff. Built from real invoices, with the shipper's identity masked and every figure left as it was found.

Report cover: Shipping spend audit and savings review — Cover

Executive summary page, showing spend reviewed and savings identified — Executive summary

A single finding, with the example packages behind it — One finding, with its evidence

Read the sample report Download the PDF18 pages · Letter · opens in a new tab

Why usWe work for shippers and receive no compensation from carriers.

What makes this different.

Evidence for every dispute

Each finding connects the carrier invoice, bill of lading, applicable rate or tariff, and classification rule. You can follow the discrepancy through the dispute and any resulting credit.

Checked against your agreement, not published rates

The comparison uses the lane discount, minimum charge, FAK provisions and fuel table in your signed agreement. A check against published rates cannot find a discount the carrier agreed to and then did not apply.

Disputes tracked against deadlines

Federal law gives a shipper 180 days from the bill to contest it, and gives the carrier the same 180 days to issue a back-bill. Both directions matter, and both argue for checking invoices as they arrive rather than in a quarterly review.

Why this orderWe review your agreement and shipment data before recommending changes.

How this actually runs.

Send invoices and the agreement
Send carrier invoice files, shipment or bill-of-lading records, and the pricing agreement. A TMS export can provide shipment details. There is no software to install.
Setup
Rebuild the shipment
ebb Logic™ matches each invoice with the shipment lane, weight, class, NMFC item, dimensions, density and the services actually provided.
Week 1
Re-rate and compare
ebb Logic™ recalculates the bill from your agreement and the governing tariff, then compares each charge with what the carrier invoiced. Every difference becomes a finding.
Week 1
File the claim with the evidence attached
Our team files each finding with the chain behind it: the invoice line, the shipment record, the contract clause or tariff rule, and the calculation. Carriers must acknowledge a claim within 30 days and pay, decline or settle within 60.
Weeks 2–3
Report recovery and recurring issues
We report disputed amounts, recoveries and patterns in reweighs, accessorials and lane pricing. These findings also help prepare for the next negotiation.
Ongoing

Common questionsContact us if your question is not listed. We can help you assess whether the service fits your needs.

Questions shippers ask first.

What are the most common LTL billing errors?

We check unsupported reclassifications, reweighs outside agreed tolerances, incorrect accessorials, fuel calculations, minimum charges, missing discounts and duplicate bills.

How do you audit an LTL freight invoice?

We match the invoice to the shipment record, verify class and weight, calculate rates and discounts, and check minimums, fuel and accessorials. We dispute discrepancies with supporting records.

Can an LTL audit detect incorrect freight classifications?

Yes, and it is one of the larger recovery categories. The billed class is compared against the class declared on the bill of lading and against the class the shipment’s own density supports. Since the NMFC restructure of July 2025, density determines class for most palletized freight at six pounds per cubic foot and above, which makes the check considerably more objective than it used to be.

Can a freight audit challenge an unsupported reweigh?

Yes. We review scale records, the bill of lading and any tolerance in your agreement. We also investigate recurring differences that may point to a problem in your shipment data.

How are FAK provisions checked during an LTL audit?

We compare the billed class with the class required by your FAK exception for the relevant commodity range.

Can freight audit software detect duplicate invoices?

Yes. We check duplicate PRO numbers, repeated invoice payments and shipments billed by both a broker and the underlying carrier.

What is the difference between pre-payment and post-payment freight audit?

Pre-payment audit checks charges before payment so discrepancies can be resolved first. Post-payment audit reviews paid invoices and pursues eligible refunds. The two can be used together.

How far back can an LTL freight audit recover overcharges?

Federal law gives 180 days from receipt of the bill to contest it, under 49 USC 13710, and many agreements negotiate a longer window. The same 180 days limits the carrier’s right to issue a back-bill against you. That deadline, rather than the strength of the evidence, is usually what decides whether a claim gets heard.

What documents are needed for an LTL freight audit?

We need detailed carrier invoices, shipment or bill-of-lading records, and the pricing agreement. Delivery receipts help with disputes about accessorials and services performed.

Does an LTL audit compare the invoice with the bill of lading?

Yes. We compare the declared weight, class and requested services on the bill of lading with the invoice and supporting carrier records.

Is this software or a service?

Both. Our software checks the data and makes findings available in a portal. Our team reviews the evidence and handles disputes. We do not act as a freight payment provider or pay carriers on your behalf.

Can LTL audit software integrate with our TMS or ERP?

We can begin with carrier invoice files and a TMS export. If needed later, invoice data can be received by EDI and results exported for your finance system.

Will freight auditing delay carrier payments?

Pre-payment review needs to fit your approval schedule. It generally adds days rather than weeks, and we agree on the process with your team before starting.

Who handles disputes with the LTL carrier?

We can file disputes with the supporting records and calculations. If you prefer to handle carrier discussions, we provide the evidence for your team to submit.

What is the difference between an LTL audit and a parcel audit?

LTL auditing checks freight class, weight, base rates, discounts, minimums and fuel, using the bill of lading and applicable tariff. Parcel auditing checks package-level charges against the parcel agreement. Both need accurate contract and shipment records.

Do LTL freight auditors work on contingency?

Our fee is a share of recovered funds. If nothing is recovered, there is no fee. We receive no compensation from carriers.

Can audit data help with the next LTL contract negotiation?

Yes. Audited bills provide verified shipment details and costs for the next negotiation. Recurring findings also help identify terms worth changing.

Next doorThese related services may also be useful for your business.

Related work.

LTL contract negotiation

We negotiate LTL base rates, lane and class discounts, minimum charges, freight-all-kinds (FAK) provisions, fuel and accessorials. We use your shipment history to compare terms, then check invoices after the new agreement takes effect.

For shippers moving pallets on one or more LTL carriers 02

Parcel audit

A parcel invoice audit checks for billing errors and contract compliance. ebb Logic™ reviews service failures, duplicates, address corrections and surcharges, then checks each charge against your discounts, tiers, minimums and accessorial terms. It runs every week, so problems are caught soon after they begin.

For shippers who want their invoices checked against their carrier agreement 03

Freight and truckload

LTL and truckload rate agreements, accessorial schedules, and freight bill auditing, including the classification changes now in force.

For shippers with meaningful LTL or truckload volume

Request a free contract review.

Send your agreement for a written review of potential savings and recommended next steps.

Get a free contract evaluation See a sample audit first Email info@ebblogic.com

Or call 888-356-4421

Free, and no obligation. A written evaluation back inside 48 hours. No fee unless we find documented savings. How we handle your documents

Your current agreement, any carrier
One recent invoice, if you have one
A written evaluation back inside 48 hours