Liftgate Delivery / Liftgate Service

Liftgate service is an accessorial charge applied when the delivery location doesn't have a raised loading dock, requiring the carrier to use a hydraulic platform attached to the rear of the trailer to lower freight to ground level. It's one of the most common LTL accessorials and applies at both pickup and delivery, though delivery-side liftgate is far more frequent. Carriers typically charge $75 to $250 or more per occurrence depending on shipment weight and carrier tariff.

Liftgate is triggered by deliveries to locations like small retail stores, restaurants, residential addresses, construction sites, churches, schools, or any facility without dock-height access. Carriers need to know about liftgate requirements at the time of booking – if a shipment arrives at a location that needs liftgate service but wasn't booked with it, the carrier will either refuse delivery or apply the charge retroactively, often at a higher rate. This makes accurate delivery-site information during order entry critical to avoiding surprise fees.

For shippers – particularly DTC brands and food companies delivering to diverse location types – liftgate charges add up quickly across hundreds of shipments. The charge itself is legitimate, but the cost impact becomes a problem when it's not anticipated during quoting or when it's applied incorrectly. Shippers who maintain delivery-site profiles with dock availability, hours, and access requirements can flag liftgate needs automatically at the planning stage rather than discovering them at the tail dock.

Pairing liftgate data with other common accessorials like residential delivery and limited access helps shippers build a complete picture of true delivery cost by destination – essential for accurate customer freight pricing and margin analysis.