This flexibility can be extremely important, particularly with regard to food and other perishable products where market demand can quickly change. It is a normal practice among certain types of marketing intermediaries to purchase commodities with the full intention of selling them while they are in transit. Diversion consists of changing the destination of a shipment prior to its arrival at the original destination. Reconsignment is a change in consignee prior to delivery. Both services are provided by railroads and truck carriers for a specified charge.
A split delivery is desired when portions of a shipment need to be delivered to different destinations. Under specified tariff conditions, delivery can involve multiple destinations. The payment is typically structured to reflect a rate as if the shipment were going to the most distant destination. In addition, there is typically a charge for each delivery.
Demurrage and detention are charge assessed for retaining freight cars or truck trailers beyond specified loading or unloading time. The term demurrage is used by railroads for holding a railcar beyond 48 hours before unloading the shipment. Trucks use the term detention to cover similar delays. In the case of motor carriers, the permitted time is specified in the tariff and is normally limited to a few hours.
In addition to basic transportation, truck and rail carriers offer a wide variety of special or accessorial services.