ACTIVITY PRICING & BILLING
Service Charges
Service charges are amounts billed for defined services or activities. In logistics they can cover core work or additional tasks, with the actual agreement establishing the charge unit, scope and conditions.
SERVICE CHARGES IN PRACTICE
- Define the activitySpecify the service and billable event.
- Check the conditionsReview included work, minimums and exceptions.
- Reconcile the evidenceMatch invoiced quantities with actual records.
Use the agreed units, actual records and approved procedures for your operation.
A WORKED EXAMPLE
A charge needs a task and a counting rule.
A provider bills a handling fee. The customer checks the agreed activity, quantity unit and supporting records before deciding whether the invoice matches the service.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR QUOTE
Agree the requirement before comparing quotes
Use the actual shipment, stock and service requirements. Record the billing unit, included work and responsibility for exceptions.
Put this term to work. Use the 3PL pricing and rates guide for the wider invoice context and the guide to comparing 3PL quotes to compare the same scope, activity profile and billing units.
A LITTLE MORE CONTEXT
Questions about Service Charges
Are service charges always only transport extras?
No.
Does a fee name alone define scope?
No.
Should quantities link to activity evidence?
Yes.
Source & example notes
Definition and operational example prepared by 3PL Hub. Examples describe hypothetical requirements; verify the actual records and agreed procedures for your operation.
Quantities, costs and scenarios are illustrative, not operating targets, approved handling instructions or guarantees. Source guidance reviewed 23 October 2026.
Last updated: · 3PL Hub
