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Residential and limited access delivery

Last reviewed by José Luis Pérez

LTL carriers charge extra to pick up or deliver at residences and at "limited access" locations, such as schools, hospitals or sites behind a gate. The carrier decides which addresses qualify, under its rules tariff. Knowing the definitions before you ship is the best way to avoid an unexpected charge.

What counts as residential

One carrier's rules tariff (XPO, Tariff CNWY 199, Item 224, effective May 18, 2026) treats as residential, among others: single-family houses, apartments, condominiums, town homes, mobile homes, cabins, farms, estates, a business operating within a private residence, and other locations "not generally recognized as commercial". The charge applies to the whole residential premises, as the carrier determines.

What counts as limited access

The same tariff says a limited access location may include any of these conditions:

  1. Not open to the public during normal business hours.
  2. No personnel readily available to help with pickup or delivery.
  3. Security inspections or processes are required before pickup or delivery.
  4. Vehicle access is restricted by a gate or other barrier.

Its list of examples includes schools and universities, hospitals and clinics, places of worship, hotels and resorts, restaurants and bars, self-storage facilities, golf courses, campgrounds, nursing homes, gas stations and convenience stores, among others.

What counts as residential or limited access is decided by the carrier "in its reasonable discretion". Other carriers use different lists.

How the charge is calculated: an example

In that tariff, both residential and limited access pickup or delivery cost $16.00 per 100 lb, with a minimum of $180.00 and a maximum of $880.00 per shipment. For a synthetic 900 lb delivery: 9 × $16.00 = $144.00, so the $180.00 minimum applies.

The tariff also says:

  • If requested, a call before delivery is included at no charge with a residential or limited access delivery.
  • Appointments cost extra but are not required.
  • If an address fits more than one of its location charges, only one is applied per address and shipment.
  • Not marking the delivery as residential or limited access on the bill of lading does not prevent the fee.

Before you ship

  • Ask the consignee whether the address is a home, a home-based business or a site with restricted access.
  • Mark residential or limited access on the bill of lading, with a contact name and phone number.
  • Check whether you also need a liftgate (liftgate service) or inside delivery (inside delivery).

If the charge appears on the invoice

  • Does the address fit the carrier's definition? Ask the carrier which condition it applied.
  • Was the charge already in the quote?
  • Is more than one location charge billed for the same address?

Compare the invoice with the quote using the LTL quote vs. invoice checker. See also LTL accessorial charges.

Sources