What does TONU stand for in trucking?

TONU stands for Truck Ordered Not Used. It means a carrier dispatched a truck to pick up a load, but the load was cancelled or the truck was turned away at the shipper. The carrier incurred costs — fuel, driver time, lost opportunity — without getting paid for the load. A TONU fee compensates the carrier for those wasted resources.

How much is a typical TONU fee?

TONU fees typically range from $150 to $500. The most common amount is $250 to $350. The exact amount depends on your rate confirmation, how far the driver traveled to the pickup, and what was negotiated before dispatch. Some carriers charge a flat fee, while others calculate TONU based on deadhead miles plus a minimum payment.

Is a TONU fee legally enforceable?

Yes, if TONU terms are in the rate confirmation or broker-carrier agreement. The rate confirmation is a binding contract. If it includes TONU language and the load is cancelled after acceptance, the carrier has a contractual right to the fee. Without written TONU terms, enforcement is much harder — verbal agreements are difficult to prove.

Can a broker refuse to pay TONU?

A broker can try to refuse, but if TONU terms are in the rate confirmation, they are contractually obligated. Common broker excuses include claiming the load was never confirmed, blaming the shipper, or saying the cancellation happened before the truck was dispatched. Document everything — dispatch confirmation, driver location data, and communication timestamps. Written proof makes refusal much harder.

How do I add TONU protection to my rate confirmations?

Add a TONU clause to every rate confirmation before accepting the load. Standard language: 'In the event the load is cancelled after carrier dispatch, a TONU fee of $[amount] will apply.' Some carriers use their own rate confirmation template with TONU terms built in. If the broker sends their template, counter with a request to add TONU language before you accept. Never dispatch without TONU protection in writing.

TONU fees in trucking: what they are and how to collect

You accepted a load, dispatched your driver, burned fuel getting to the pickup — and the broker calls to say the load is cancelled. That is a TONU. Truck Ordered Not Used. You did everything right and got paid nothing. This guide covers what TONU is, what you should charge, and how to actually collect.

Last updated: April 2026 · Bastion Recovery Research Team

What is TONU?

TONU stands for Truck Ordered Not Used. It happens when a broker or shipper cancels a load after the carrier has already been dispatched. The driver is either en route to the pickup, already at the shipper, or gets turned away at the dock.

The carrier loses money three ways: fuel cost to deadhead to the pickup, driver time that could have been spent on a paying load, and the lost opportunity of the load itself. A TONU fee is meant to compensate for those losses.

TONU is not the same as a dry run. A dry run typically means the driver arrived but the freight was not ready or did not exist. TONU specifically means the load was cancelled — the truck was ordered and then not used. Both situations deserve compensation, but the terminology matters when filing claims.

When are you entitled to TONU?

You are entitled to a TONU fee when the load is cancelled after you accepted it and dispatched a driver — if your rate confirmation includes TONU terms. That last part is critical. Without written TONU language in the rate con, collecting is an uphill fight.

The trigger point is dispatch. Once you have confirmed the load and assigned a driver, any cancellation by the broker or shipper should trigger TONU. Some brokers will argue that TONU only applies after the driver arrives at the shipper. Do not accept that — the costs start the moment you dispatch.

Common TONU scenarios: the shipper's freight is not ready and the load is cancelled, the broker double-booked the load and picked another carrier, the shipper decided not to ship, or the load details changed so dramatically that the original rate no longer applies.

Typical TONU fee amounts

TONU fees in the trucking industry typically range from $150 to $500. The most common range is $250 to $350. What you should charge depends on how far your driver traveled and what the load was worth.

Some carriers charge a flat fee — $250 or $300 regardless of circumstances. Others calculate TONU based on deadhead miles (typically $1.50 to $2.50 per mile) plus a minimum payment. A driver who deadheaded 100 miles to a cancelled pickup has a stronger case for a $400 TONU than one who was 10 miles away.

For high-value or specialized loads — reefer, hazmat, oversized — TONU fees can be higher because the equipment and driver qualifications are harder to redeploy on short notice.

How to protect yourself

The single most important thing: get TONU terms in writing before you dispatch. If TONU is not in the rate confirmation, add it. If the broker will not agree to TONU terms, decide whether the load is worth the risk of a cancellation with no compensation.

Standard TONU clause: "In the event the load is cancelled after carrier dispatch, a TONU fee of $[amount] will apply. TONU is due within 30 days of cancellation." Keep it simple and specific. Ambiguous language gives brokers room to argue.

Document the dispatch. Save the rate confirmation, dispatch notification, and any communication confirming the load. If the broker cancels by phone, follow up with an email confirming the cancellation in writing. Screenshots of texts and call logs matter.

Track your driver's location at the time of cancellation. ELD data showing the driver en route to the pickup is strong evidence that you incurred real costs from the cancellation.

How to file a TONU claim

File immediately. The longer you wait, the harder it is to collect. Send the TONU invoice to the broker within 24 hours of the cancellation. Include the rate confirmation (showing TONU terms), proof of dispatch, and driver location data at the time of cancellation.

If the broker does not pay within 7 days, follow up. Then again at 14 days. At 30 days, escalate. Some carriers include language that TONU fees accrue interest after 30 days — this creates urgency for the broker to pay.

Keep records of every TONU event, even the ones you do not collect on. Over time, this data tells you which brokers cancel frequently and which ones pay their TONU obligations. Use that information when deciding which loads to accept.

How Bastion handles TONU recovery

Bastion recovers TONU fees the same way we recover detention — you report the cancelled load, we file the claim, we follow up, and we collect. No chasing brokers. No tracking deadlines. No writing follow-up emails.

Upload your rate confirmation and cancellation documentation through the Bastion app. We verify the TONU terms, file the claim with the broker, and handle all follow-up. If the broker disputes, we escalate with the evidence on file.

Commission-only. You pay nothing unless we recover money. No monthly fee. No minimum commitment. If we do not collect your TONU, you owe us nothing.