TONU (Truck Ordered Not Used)
TONU is a fee charged to the broker or shipper when a carrier arrives at a pickup location and the load is cancelled, not ready, or significantly different than booked.
What Is TONU (Truck Ordered Not Used)?
TONU (Truck Ordered Not Used) is a penalty fee that compensates the carrier when they show up at a shipper facility and the load is cancelled, not ready, or substantially different from what was agreed upon. TONU situations include loads that were double-booked, freight that is not ready for hours, loads that are significantly heavier or larger than described, or outright cancellations after the carrier has already dispatched.
Standard TONU fees range from $150-$500, depending on how far the carrier traveled, market conditions, and what was negotiated in the rate confirmation. Some brokers try to avoid paying TONU, which is why it is critical to have TONU terms specified in your rate confirmation before you dispatch. Without written terms, you have little leverage.
TONU situations are frustrating but common — they happen an estimated 2-5% of the time. Beyond the direct fee, the real cost is lost opportunity. You drove to a pickup (deadheading), spent time waiting, and now need to find a new load in a potentially less favorable location. The TONU fee rarely covers the full economic loss.
Why It Matters
Without TONU protection in your rate confirmation, you could drive 150 miles to a pickup, wait 3 hours, and get nothing. A $300 TONU fee does not fully compensate you, but it is much better than zero. Always ensure your dispatcher negotiates TONU terms upfront.
Real-World Example
Sandra drives 120 miles from Memphis to pick up a dry van load in Little Rock. The shipper says the freight shipped yesterday on another truck — the load was double-booked. Sandra is out $120+ in fuel and 4 hours. Because her FF Dispatch dispatcher included a $350 TONU clause in the rate confirmation, she files a claim and the broker pays within a week. Without that clause, Sandra absorbs the entire loss.
How FF Dispatch Handles This
FF Dispatch includes TONU clauses in every rate confirmation we negotiate. If you experience a TONU, call us immediately — we handle the claim filing and follow up until you are paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a typical TONU fee?+
What if the broker refuses to pay TONU?+
Can I claim TONU if the load is late but eventually ships?+
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