What a reclass or reweigh is
A reweigh or reclassification happens when the weight or freight class on the bill of lading is wrong; the carrier corrects the price and usually adds a fee. Carriers check routinely: Estes says it reweighs a high percentage of its daily shipments, and that invoices may change to reflect reweighs on certified scales, dimensioner scans, or class standards published in the NMFC. XPO’s tariff makes every shipment subject to inspection.
How carriers measure your freight
- Dimensioners. Estes has dimensioners in every terminal, often ceiling-mounted: the freight is placed in a measurement zone on the dock, the bill is scanned, and the dimensions and weight give the density and class within seconds. FedEx Freight has piloted Dimension in Motion technology to verify weight and dimensions.
- Photos. NMFTA notes that most dimensioners have cameras, so the carrier has photographic evidence of what it measured.
- Scales. Certified scales at the terminal for reweighs.
What carriers charge
On top of rebilling at the correct weight or class, carriers add a fee set in their rules tariffs:
| Carrier | Fee | When it applies | Tariff |
|---|---|---|---|
| XPO Item 26 | $47.85 correction fee | An inspection raises the linehaul charges by $1.00 or more | CNWY 199-AJ.5, eff. Dec 1, 2025 |
| FedEx Freight Items 980–981 | $40.00 validation fee, one per shipment | Reweigh 50 lb or more over, or 200 lb or more under, the bill; or an inspection that changes the charges | 100-Y, eff. Jan 5, 2026 |
| TForce Freight Items 365, 990 | $40.00 per shipment | An inspection or a reweigh raises the net freight charges by $15.00 or more | UPGF 102-T, eff. Aug 3, 2026 |
| ABF Freight Item 992 | $55.00 reweigh fee | Total charges change by $10.00 or more because of weight | ABF 111-AU, rev. Oct 12, 2026 |
| Estes Item 992 | $25.00 weight adjustment fee | The corrected weight is 100 lb or more over, or 500 lb or more under, the bill | EXLA 105, Item 992 rev. Aug 3, 2026 |
| Pitt Ohio Item 996 | $25.00 per bill ($10.00 under a $10 change) | Weights and inspection change the linehaul by $10.00 or more | Rules tariff online (no date shown) |
Tariff list fees as published; your contract may differ. Estes’s tariff also lists $20.00 charges for weighing and for commodity inspection.
Why it happens
NMFTA lists the usual density mistakes: dimensions copied from old records, forgetting the pallet or packaging height, rounding too generously, and less accurate measuring than the carrier’s. A vague commodity description costs too: XPO’s tariff bills an unclear description at class 150 and may inspect the shipment.
How to avoid it
- Measure each handling unit at its extremes, pallet and packaging included, and round up to the next inch (Freightquote’s advice).
- Weigh it as it ships, pallet and wrap included.
- Put the dimensions on every bill of lading, as ABF asks of LTL shippers, with an accurate weight and the NMFC item number.
- Check the class before you book. The freight class calculator warns when a unit is so close to a class break that one inch more on each side would change it.
How to dispute a correction
Ask the carrier for its record first: FedEx Freight provides a copy of the weight verification on request, and Estes offers weight and research certificates through its document retrieval tool. If the correction is wrong, file an overcharge claim with your bill of lading, measurements, photos and weight tickets. Limits in the carriers’ tariffs and help pages:
| Carrier | Claim within | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FedEx Freight | 180 days from receipt of the original invoice, plus 7 days | A copy of the weight verification record is available on request. |
| XPO | 180 days from receipt of the original invoice | Send the original freight bill; the invoice must be paid first. |
| TForce Freight | 180 days from receipt of the freight bill | Corrected dimensions or density are not accepted after the shipment is tendered for delivery. |
| ABF Freight | 180 days from the shipment date |
Questions
What is a freight reclass?
A reclassification: the carrier finds that the class on the bill of lading is wrong, usually because the measured density or the commodity differs, rebills at the right class and often adds a fee.
What is a reweigh?
The carrier weighs the shipment on its own scale. If the weight differs from the bill of lading, it corrects the charges and, past its tariff’s threshold, adds a fee (for example $40.00 at FedEx Freight for 50 lb or more over the bill).
How much does a reclass cost?
Two parts: the freight is rebilled at the corrected class or weight, and most carriers add a fixed fee on top. In the tariffs above the fee runs from $10 to $55 per shipment.
Can I dispute a reclass or reweigh?
Yes, as an overcharge claim with your documents (bill of lading, photos and dimensions, weight tickets). The carriers above allow 180 days, counted from the invoice or the shipment date depending on the carrier. Ask for the carrier’s weight or inspection record first.
Does an FAK rate prevent reclasses?
No. NMFTA notes that reclassifications can still occur under an FAK (freight all kinds) agreement if the freight is misdescribed or misidentified.