What is defined as an accessorial charge?

An accessorial charge refers to any additional fee that is added on top of the base freight charges when rating freight. These charges can occur due to various factors such as special handling, packing requirements, or additional services provided by the carrier, such as liftgate service or inside delivery. It's essential for businesses to understand these charges as they can significantly impact the overall shipping cost and budgeting for logistics.

Evaluating the context, the other definitions provided do not accurately capture the essence of what an accessorial charge is. The first option describes a process that might be related to carrier selection but does not touch on the concept of additional charges. The third option refers to a broader method for determining overall shipping rates, which encompasses various elements, including base and accessorial charges but does not specify what an accessorial charge is. Lastly, the fourth option specifically mentions a fee for expedited shipping services, which is a specific type of accessorial charge but does not encompass the entire definition, as accessorial charges can include a range of other additional fees beyond just expedited services.