Invoice templates for freight carriers covering FTL and LTL road freight, collection and delivery, and B2B logistics services.
A freight carrier invoice records fees for transporting goods by road between commercial or industrial premises. UK road freight carriers range from owner-operator HGV drivers to mid-sized haulage businesses managing a fleet. Operators must hold an Operator's Licence (O-licence) issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) via the Traffic Commissioner for any HGV or goods vehicle used commercially. Freight is priced by the pallet, per tonne, or as a full load (FTL) or part load (LTL) rate depending on the consignment size. Fuel surcharges are common in road haulage as diesel prices fluctuate. Clear invoicing with collection and delivery references, weight, and pallet counts is essential for matching against customer purchase orders and for customs documentation on international shipments.
| Service | Typical Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Full truckload (FTL) rate (up to 26t, UK) | 850 | load |
| Pallet rate (standard UK network, 1–5 pallets) | 45 | pallet |
| Part load (LTL) rate (per tonne) | 85 | tonne |
| Fuel surcharge (% of base freight) | 12 | percent |
| Tail-lift surcharge | 35 | load |
| Waiting / detention time (per 30 minutes) | 25 | 30 min |
| Temperature-controlled transport premium | 150 | load |
Freight carriers typically operate on a 14–30 day invoice cycle, sending weekly consolidated invoices to regular clients covering all loads moved in the period. Include the consignment reference for each load so the client can match invoices against their purchase records. For new or one-off clients, collect payment in advance or on delivery. Road freight is a low-margin business and bad debt is costly. Check creditworthiness before extending credit terms. Fuel surcharges should be applied consistently and transparently — state the base percentage and any trigger conditions (e.g., surcharge applies when diesel exceeds a certain pence-per-litre threshold). Clients should be notified of surcharge changes before they appear on invoices.