How to Read a Rate Confirmation (Line by Line)
The Short Answer
A rate confirmation (rate con) is the binding document a broker sends confirming the agreed load details: the linehaul rate, pickup and delivery info, weight and commodity, accessorials, detention and layover terms, and payment terms. Read every line before your carrier accepts — the rate con governs what you actually get paid, so verify it matches what you negotiated.
The rate confirmation is the most important piece of paper in a load. Once your carrier accepts it, its terms control the money. A dispatcher who reads it carefully catches errors and missing terms before they cost the carrier.
A rate confirmation, or 'rate con,' is the binding document a broker sends to confirm a booked load. It lists the agreed linehaul rate, pickup and delivery locations and times, weight, commodity, equipment type, accessorial charges, detention and layover terms, and payment terms. It's the official record of the deal — what's on it is what governs payment.
Key Fields, Line by Line
| Field | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Linehaul rate | Matches the rate you negotiated, to the dollar |
| Load/reference number | Present and correct for tracking and invoicing |
| Pickup & delivery | Addresses, dates, and appointment times are right |
| Weight & commodity | Within the truck's limits and legal for the equipment |
| Equipment type | Matches your carrier (van, reefer, flatbed, etc.) |
| Accessorials | Detention, layover, lumper, TONU spelled out with amounts |
| Payment terms | Days-to-pay and any quick-pay/factoring notes |
Terms Dispatchers Often Miss
- Detention pay: when it starts and the hourly rate
- TONU (Truck Order Not Used) — compensation if the load cancels
- Lumper fees: who pays and how they're reimbursed
- Layover pay for overnight delays
- Late or fuel-related deductions buried in the fine print
Before Your Carrier Signs
Confirm the rate matches the verbal agreement, that accessorials you negotiated are written in, and that the pickup/delivery details are accurate. If anything is wrong or missing, get a corrected rate con before the truck rolls — verbal promises aren't enforceable; the document is.
If It's Not on the Rate Con, It Doesn't Exist
The single most important rule: any rate, accessorial, or term you negotiated must appear in writing on the rate confirmation. A broker's verbal 'don't worry, we'll pay detention' means nothing if it isn't documented.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a rate confirmation a binding contract?
Effectively yes. Once the carrier accepts and signs the rate confirmation, it documents the agreed terms for that load and governs payment. That's why every line should be verified before acceptance.
What should you do if the rate con is wrong?
Don't have the carrier sign it. Contact the broker, point out the discrepancy, and request a corrected rate confirmation. Only proceed once the document accurately reflects the negotiated rate and terms.
What is a TONU on a rate confirmation?
TONU stands for 'Truck Order Not Used.' It's a fee the broker agrees to pay if they cancel a load after the truck has been dispatched. If you negotiated a TONU, make sure it's written on the rate con.
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Michael Rivera
3PL freight broker with 10+ years experience and the lead instructor at Dispatcher Pro Academy.