Accessorial Charges and Service Conditions at Dragonfly Delivery
Accessorial charges are fees applied to freight deliveries for services that go beyond a standard point-to-point pickup and drop-off. Understanding which accessorial conditions apply to your shipment before booking allows for accurate pricing, proper vehicle and equipment assignment, and eliminates surprises on delivery day. Dragonfly Delivery discloses all applicable accessorial conditions at the time of quote — not after the job is completed.
Tailgate / Liftgate Service
Tailgate service is required whenever the pickup or delivery location does not have a loading dock and the freight is too heavy or bulky to be offloaded manually. This is one of the most common accessorial requirements for commercial freight in the GTA and Ontario, where a large proportion of delivery locations — retail stores, renovation sites, restaurants, residential addresses, smaller commercial units — lack dock access. Tailgate service is built into the quote when the need is identified at intake. It is not added as a surprise charge after delivery.
Residential Delivery
Residential delivery involves additional coordination and driver time relative to commercial delivery. Residential addresses typically lack dock access, may have parking and access restrictions, require more direct communication with the receiver, and involve more driver involvement in the offload process. A residential delivery surcharge reflects the additional operational requirements of these locations. Identify residential delivery addresses at intake so the appropriate rate is applied from the start.
Inside Delivery
Inside delivery means the freight is brought inside the building to a specified location rather than left at the door or at curbside. Inside delivery at ground level is a standard capability. Inside delivery involving stairs, elevators, or multi-floor navigation requires additional time and handling capacity — this should be identified at intake with the number of floors and the availability of elevator service noted explicitly.
Wait Time
Each job includes a standard wait-time allowance at pickup and delivery — typically 30 minutes per location. Wait time beyond this allowance is billed at a per-hour rate. Wait time accumulates when freight is not ready at the confirmed pickup time, when the receiving contact is unavailable at delivery, when access issues at the delivery location cause delay, or when loading and unloading takes longer than the standard allowance for the freight type. Accurate ready time estimates at intake and confirmed receiver availability at delivery prevent the majority of wait-time charges.
Appointment Delivery
Appointment delivery means the carrier commits to arriving within a specific, narrow time window rather than a standard multi-hour delivery window. Appointment delivery requires scheduling priority and limits the carrier's ability to optimize route efficiency. This is a premium service with a corresponding rate adjustment.
Declared Value and Cargo Protection
Standard freight delivery includes basic liability coverage. For high-value shipments where the declared value of the freight exceeds standard liability limits, additional cargo protection should be arranged. Declared value should be noted at intake for any shipment where the product value creates a meaningful financial exposure in the event of damage or loss.
Requesting an Accurate All-In Quote
To get an accurate all-in quote that includes all applicable accessorial charges: identify all access conditions at pickup and delivery, declare the actual weight and dimensions of the freight, note any timing or appointment requirements, and identify the freight value if it is above standard. Submit through the dispatch intake form or Call Dispatch to discuss complex shipment requirements before submitting a formal request.
