What Is TONU in Trucking? How to Get Paid When a Load Is Cancelled

5 October 2026  ·  7 min read

You took the load, drove to the shipper, backed into the door, and then got the call: the load is cancelled. Maybe the freight was not ready, maybe the shipper changed plans, maybe another truck already took it. Either way, you burned fuel, miles and hours of service for nothing.

That situation has a name in trucking: TONU. And in many cases, you are owed money for it. This guide explains what TONU is, when you can claim it, and how to file a claim that actually gets paid.

What does TONU mean in trucking?

TONU stands for Truck Ordered, Not Used. It is a payment a carrier can claim when a broker or shipper books a truck, the carrier commits to the load and starts moving, and the load is then cancelled through no fault of the carrier.

TONU is one of the accessorial charges in trucking, alongside detention pay and layover pay. It exists because a booked truck is a truck that turned down other freight. When the load disappears, the carrier has already paid the cost of saying yes.

When are you owed TONU pay?

TONU usually applies when all of the following are true:

• The load was confirmed. There is a signed rate confirmation, not just a phone conversation.
• You were dispatched or already on site. You were heading to pickup or had arrived when the cancellation came.
• The cancellation was not your fault. You were on time, your equipment matched the load, and you met the requirements on the rate con.
• The rate confirmation allows it. Many rate cons list a TONU amount. If yours does not, your position is much weaker.

When TONU usually does not apply

Brokers will commonly refuse a TONU claim when:

• You arrived late or missed the appointment window.
• Your equipment did not match the load (wrong trailer length, no straps, reefer not pre-cooled).
• The cancellation came before you were dispatched and you had not started moving.
• You cannot prove when you arrived or when the cancellation happened.

Every one of these is avoidable with good habits and good records, which is what the next section is about.

How much is TONU pay?

There is no standard industry rate. TONU is normally a flat fee rather than an hourly charge, and the amount depends on the broker, the lane, your equipment and how far you drove before the cancellation. Some brokers set a fixed TONU on every rate con. Others negotiate it case by case.

If you deadheaded a long way to reach the pickup, say so when you negotiate. The miles you drove for a load that never happened are the strongest argument you have for a fair TONU amount.

How to claim TONU: step by step

1. Confirm TONU terms before pickup

Know the TONU amount on the rate confirmation, or get it agreed in writing. This is the foundation of the entire claim.

2. Arrive on time and record it

Take a timestamped photo at the gate or the dock, and know how to pull your ELD location log. Your arrival time proves the cancellation was not caused by you.

3. Get the cancellation in writing

If the cancellation comes by phone, follow up immediately with a text or email: load number, facility, your arrival time, the time you were told it was cancelled, and who told you. Ask the broker to confirm.

4. Invoice the same day

Send a TONU invoice with the rate confirmation, your arrival proof and the written cancellation attached. Claims sent weeks later are the easiest ones to deny.

5. Follow up until it is paid

A first invoice with no reply is not a refusal. It is usually an email nobody processed. Follow up politely and keep a record of every message.

TONU vs detention vs layover

These three accessorials are often confused, so here is the short version:

• TONU: the load is cancelled after you were dispatched. Usually a flat fee.
• Detention: the load happens, but you are held at the shipper or receiver beyond the free time. Usually paid by the hour.
• Layover: the load is delayed so long that you are held overnight. Usually a daily rate.

All three are written on the rate confirmation, and all three go uncollected for the same reason: the claim is never filed.

Why so many drivers never collect TONU

A cancelled load is frustrating, and the natural reaction is to forget it and find the next load as fast as possible. Filing a claim feels like paperwork for a small amount of money. But a few cancelled loads a year, left unclaimed, add up to real money taken straight out of your profit.

This is exactly where a good dispatcher earns their fee. While you are looking for a reload, someone else should be getting the cancellation in writing and sending the invoice.

Frequently asked questions

What does TONU stand for in trucking?

TONU stands for Truck Ordered, Not Used. It is a flat payment a carrier can claim when a load it was booked on is cancelled after the truck has been dispatched or has arrived at the shipper.

How much is TONU pay?

There is no industry-wide rate. TONU is usually a flat fee set on the rate confirmation, and the amount varies by broker, lane and equipment type. If the rate confirmation does not state a TONU amount, agree on one in writing before you roll.

Who pays TONU, the broker or the shipper?

The carrier invoices whoever booked the load, which is usually the broker. The broker then recovers the cost from the shipper under their own agreement. Your claim is against the party on your rate confirmation.

Can I claim TONU if I arrived late?

Generally no. If the load was cancelled because you missed the appointment or arrived late, most brokers will treat the cancellation as your fault and refuse the claim. Being on time is what makes a TONU claim valid.

How long do I have to file a TONU claim?

Terms vary by broker, but the safe answer is the same day. Get the cancellation in writing immediately and send the TONU invoice with your supporting documents as soon as possible. Late claims are the easiest ones to deny.