Rate confirmation: what it is and what to check

What a rate confirmation usually includes

• Broker and carrier company names and their identification numbers
• Load or reference number, pickup and delivery addresses, dates and appointment times
• Equipment type, commodity, weight and any temperature or securement requirements
• The agreed line-haul rate and accessorials such as detention, layover, lumper fees or truck-order-not-used (TONU)
• Payment terms, how to invoice and which documents to send (signed bill of lading, receipts)

What to check before you sign

• The rate and every accessorial match what you agreed on the phone or by message.
• Pickup and delivery times are ones you can make with the driver’s hours.
• Detention terms: free time and the hourly rate after it.
• The broker’s name and identification number match the official public record.
• Nothing in the fine print changes the deal, such as fines for late delivery you did not agree to.

Rate confirmation and bill of lading

The rate confirmation is between broker and carrier and sets the price. The bill of lading travels with the freight, is signed at pickup and delivery, and describes what was loaded. Brokers usually pay on a signed bill of lading plus the invoice.

• Bill of lading explained

Where GigFreight fits

GigFreight is a load board: you find the load and agree it directly with the poster, then the paperwork, including the rate confirmation, is between you and them. Broker and shipper contact details on a load are shown only to members with a fully paid, active subscription. A trial gives access to the platform but not to load contact details.

Frequently asked questions