LTL freight contract negotiation

What we actually negotiate.

We review these LTL terms against your shipment history to identify changes worth negotiating.

Lane and shipment profile

We analyze origin and destination ZIP codes, weights, classes and density before requesting carrier proposals.

Base rate and discount together

We evaluate the base tariff and discount together to compare the resulting cost of your shipments.

Absolute minimum charge

We review the minimum charge and measure how often it overrides the discounted rate on light shipments.

FAK and class provisions

We review the class range covered by freight-all-kinds exceptions and check that the agreed class is applied in billing.

Fuel surcharge table and index basis

We review the fuel table, DOE index week, any cap and whether fuel applies to discounted or undiscounted linehaul.

Accessorial schedule

We review liftgate, residential, limited access, inside delivery, appointment, notification, redelivery, detention and sort-and-segregate charges.

Reweigh and reclassification rules

We review the permitted reweigh tolerance and the evidence required for a reclassification.

General rate increase and rate-base exposure

We check how annual increases apply and whether the carrier can change the base tariff during the agreement.

Volume commitments and blanket pricing

We review volume commitments and compare blanket pricing with lane-specific rates for your shipments.

Liability, claims and payment terms

We review released value limits, claim deadlines and payment terms alongside the rate schedule.

Implementation and audit rights

We confirm how implementation will be checked and what billing detail is available for future audits.

How this actually runs.

1. Build the shipment profile

   ebb Logic™ organizes twelve months of shipment data by lane, weight, class, density and accessorial use. It audits the available invoices first, so the baseline we negotiate from is a checked number rather than what the carrier billed.

   Profile

2. Benchmark and set the target

   We compare your terms with available market terms for a similar shipping profile and calculate the value of each proposed change.

   Benchmark

3. Build the request

   We prepare an RFP or a direct request to your current carrier, with the lane and shipment details needed for accurate pricing. Carrier selection depends on your routes and requirements.

   The request

4. Run the negotiation

   We calculate each proposal on the same shipment data, compare total costs and negotiate individual terms.

   At the table

5. Verify implementation on live invoices

   ebb Logic™ checks the first invoices for the agreed discounts, minimum charges, fuel table and accessorial rates, and flags anything billed outside the new terms.

   First invoices

6. Monitor the agreement over time

   We track annual increases, classification changes and accessorial rates to check how your costs change after signing.

   Ongoing