What Is TONU in Trucking?
Also called: Truck Order Not Used
TONU (Truck Order Not Used) is a fee a carrier can charge when a booked load is canceled after the truck was dispatched or arrived. It pays for the lost time and the other freight you turned down to hold that load. It is a contract term, so it is owed only when your rate confirmation or carrier agreement provides for it. One industry guide puts the usual range at about $200 to $600.
Last reviewed September 23, 2026 · Facts checked October 15, 2026
Key Points
- TONU = a cancellation fee paid when a booked load falls through after the truck was committed or dispatched
- It is a contract term. It is owed only when the rate confirmation or broker/carrier agreement provides for it, so read that paper before you move the truck
- ATS, a logistics company, lists TONU at roughly $200 to $600 as a general approximation (its page was last updated in December 2023), and says it can be higher for a specialized trailer. There is no official rate
- The fee often depends on how far along the truck was: only dispatched, already on the road, or turned away at the dock
- Documents are what make a TONU claim collectible: the rate confirmation, dispatch and arrival times, and written proof of the cancellation
- Raise it right away and cite the rate confirmation number. Claims left for days get paid far less often
Detention vs. TONU vs. layover pay
| Detention Pay | TONU | Layover Pay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What triggers it | Waiting to load/unload beyond free time | A booked load gets canceled after dispatch | A delay strands the truck overnight or longer |
| Typical time frame | Hours, same day | One-time event | A full day (24+ hours) or more |
| Typical rate structure | By the hour, after the free time | One flat fee | A flat fee per day |
| Range in the ATS guide (Dec 2023 update) | $50 to $75 an hour | $200 to $600 | $250 to $500 |
| Who sets the amount | Your rate confirmation | Your rate confirmation | Your rate confirmation |
| What gets it paid | Logged arrival/departure times, BOL or gate-log timestamp | Dispatch/arrival timestamp, written cancellation notice | Record of delay start/end, broker acknowledgment |
When does a TONU fee apply?
A TONU situation usually happens one of a few ways. The shipper cancels the order after the truck is already dispatched or en route. Or the freight isn't ready or doesn't exist when the truck arrives. Or the load goes to another carrier after the first truck already committed. In all of these, the carrier turned down other freight to hold that truck for the canceled load. That is the loss a TONU fee is meant to offset.
How much is a TONU fee worth?
There's no fixed amount. The amount is whatever your rate confirmation or carrier agreement says. ATS, a logistics company, lists TONU at roughly $200 to $600 as a general approximation, in a page last updated in December 2023. It says the fee can be more for a specialized trailer. Your broker may pay less. A truck that was only tendered the load but hadn't dispatched yet may get little or nothing. A truck that drove to the shipper and was turned away at the dock has a much stronger claim. Some brokers put a standard TONU policy in their carrier setup packet. Others negotiate it load by load.
How do you actually get a TONU fee paid?
The strongest TONU claims have a paper trail. That means three things. First, the original rate confirmation or dispatch instructions. Second, a timestamp showing when the truck was dispatched or arrived. Third, written proof (email or text) that the broker or shipper canceled or refused the load. Example: the broker cancels at 7 a.m. after you drove 80 miles toward the pickup. If your rate confirmation says $250 for TONU, you invoice $250 as a separate line, with the dispatch and cancellation messages attached. Those who wait days and let it slide get paid far less often.
What should the rate confirmation say about TONU?
Ask for four things in writing before you dispatch. The dollar amount, the event that triggers it (cancellation after dispatch, or no freight at the dock), any cut-off time after which it applies, and who to send the claim to. If the broker will not put it in writing, assume it is not guaranteed. A clear line costs the broker nothing, and it is the only thing that makes the fee collectible.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does TONU mean in trucking?+
TONU stands for "Truck Order Not Used." It's the fee a carrier can invoice when a booked load is canceled after the truck was dispatched or committed. It pays for the freight that was turned down to cover the canceled load.
How much is a TONU fee?+
There is no official rate. It is whatever your rate confirmation or carrier agreement says. ATS, a logistics company, lists TONU at roughly $200 to $600 as a general approximation, in a page last updated in December 2023. A truck that arrived and was turned away usually has a stronger claim than one that was only dispatched.
Is TONU guaranteed if a broker cancels a load?+
No. It's only owed if it's written into the rate confirmation or the carrier's agreement with that broker. Some brokers have a standing TONU policy for canceled loads. Others don't offer one unless it's negotiated. Check the paperwork before you assume a canceled load pays a TONU fee.
How do I get paid a TONU fee?+
Send an invoice line for the TONU amount in your rate confirmation, with proof. Include the rate confirmation, the time you were dispatched or arrived, and the broker's or shipper's message canceling the load. Send it right away and cite the rate confirmation number.
What if the truck arrived and the freight wasn't ready?+
That is a common TONU situation. If your rate confirmation provides for TONU, record your arrival time, take a photo of the gate or check-in slip if you can, and tell the broker right away in writing. If the contract is silent, you can still ask the broker. Some will pay when you send proof.
Is TONU the same as detention or layover pay?+
No. TONU pays for a canceled load. Detention pays for waiting at a dock past the free time. Layover pays for a day or more lost to a delay. All three are contract terms, so each must be in your rate confirmation to be collected.
More trucking terms
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This is industry terminology and typical practice. It is not legal or tax advice. Rates, fees, and rules mentioned are general ranges. Confirm the details on your rate confirmation, carrier agreement, or a current official source.