A freight invoice audit compares each carrier invoice with the quote, the bill of lading and the pricing agreement before it is paid, to catch errors such as the wrong rate or discount, duplicate invoices, unsupported reweigh or reclassification charges and accessorial fees for services that were not requested or performed. Invalid charges are then disputed with the carrier.
What is checked
- The rate, discount and minimum charge against the pricing agreement
- Weight, dimensions and freight class against the bill of lading
- Fuel surcharge against the schedule in effect on the ship date
- Each accessorial charge against what was requested and what happened
- Duplicate invoices and invoices for shipments that did not move
The most common invoice errors
- Reweigh: the carrier's scale weight differs from the bill of lading
- Reclassification: the carrier assigns a different freight class after inspection
- Accessorials added at delivery, such as liftgate, residential or limited-access fees
- Detention or redelivery charges
- The wrong pricing applied, or the wrong party billed
- The same shipment billed twice
How a dispute works
When a charge looks wrong, the auditor asks the carrier for its support, such as a weight and inspection certificate for a reweigh, or a signed delivery receipt showing the service was performed. If the carrier cannot support the charge, or the shipper's documents show otherwise, the carrier issues a corrected invoice.
Carriers set time limits for disputing an invoice, so audits work best when they happen before payment rather than months later.
How to prevent the errors in the first place
- Weigh and measure each pallet and enter the actual figures
- Use the correct freight class and describe the commodity accurately
- Ask the receiver what the delivery location requires and quote those services
- Keep photographs and spec sheets for freight that is often reclassified
Common questions
Why is my freight invoice higher than my quote?
Most often because the carrier measured a different weight, dimensions or class than the bill of lading showed, or a service such as a liftgate was added at delivery. An audit checks whether the carrier can support the change.
Can a reweigh or reclass charge be disputed?
Yes. The carrier should provide a weight and inspection certificate. If it cannot, or your documentation shows the original figures were right, the charge can be reversed.
Who performs the audit?
Some shippers audit in house, some use a dedicated audit firm, and some logistics providers audit carrier invoices as part of their service before billing the shipper.
Written by the Mainspring Logistics team. Last reviewed November 10, 2026. Figures are typical values; equipment and carrier rules vary.