Have the actual Rate Con?
Upload it and check the money terms in the document itself.
Tracking deductions
If a tracking link or app is mandatory, write down when tracking must be accepted, how long it must stay active, and the stated deduction for failure.
Check-call deductions
Some load instructions require status updates at pickup, delivery or specific intervals. If noncompliance carries a chargeback, turn the instruction into a checklist item.
POD and paperwork deductions
Look for deadlines, required email addresses, portals, document quality rules and reference numbers. A paperwork rule can be operationally harder than it looks when the driver is already moving to the next load.
Late pickup and delivery deductions
Compare the penalty language with the actual appointment schedule. If the schedule is unrealistic after deadhead, HOS and loading time, the “good rate” can become a bad bet.
Offset language
Some agreements allow the broker to offset claims or other amounts against freight charges. Broad offset language deserves careful review because it changes how disputes can affect settlement.
Turn every deduction into an action
The best defense against preventable deductions is simple: extract each trigger, attach it to a deadline, and document completion.
Frequently asked questions
Are broker deductions always invalid?
No. This page is about understanding what the document states, not deciding legal enforceability. Read the clause and decide whether the operational conditions fit the load.
Which deductions are easiest to prevent?
Tracking, check-call and paperwork deductions are often preventable when the required action and deadline are surfaced before the load.
Why check deductions before accepting the load?
Because expected settlement — not headline rate — determines whether the load works financially.
Have the actual Rate Con?
Upload it and check the money terms in the document itself.