Freight & backhaul allowances

What is a freight & backhaul allowances?

When UNFI handles freight, it typically takes a freight (or backhaul) allowance — a discount to cover the cost, often a fixed percentage or an amount per pallet, shown as a deduction like 'Freight Allowance' on your remittance.

It's a routine cost of UNFI-managed transportation, but the rate and the basis it's calculated on both have to match your agreement — that's where errors hide.

Why does it happen?

• A contractual freight allowance applied as agreed.
• The allowance was calculated at the wrong rate or on the wrong pallet/volume count.
• Freight was deducted on shipments where you, not UNFI, arranged transport.

Is it disputable?

Sometimes. Agreed freight allowances are valid, but deductions at the wrong rate, on the wrong basis, or on prepaid shipments you moved yourself are recoverable. Confirm the rate in your agreement and audit the basis each period.

Backup you'll need to win it

• Your agreement's freight terms and rate
• Shipment/pallet counts for the period
• Proof of who arranged and paid freight

You dispute UNFI deductions in the UNFI Dispute Center, inside the UNFI supplier portal. See the step-by-step dispute guide and check the UNFI dispute window before you file — miss it and even a valid claim is lost.

See how many freight charges are in your actual file: upload a UNFI remittance to the free deduction recovery analyzer and it will flag the disputable lines and estimate what's recoverable.