Accessorial Charges
Accessorial charges are extra fees added to a moving bill beyond the base rate for services like long carries, stair carries, shuttle service, crating, appliance servicing, and storage-in-transit.
Most moving companies' base rates only cover straightforward loading, transport, and unloading. Accessorial charges are tacked on when conditions deviate from "easy access" — for example, when the truck can't park near the door (long carry), when there are stairs (stair carry, often $50-$75 per flight), when furniture must be partially disassembled and reassembled, or when items need to be crated for protection. Accessorial charges are the single biggest source of unexpected moving-day cost.
Boston Best Rate Movers does not charge stair fees, long-carry fees, fuel surcharges, or truck fees — all of these are included in the hourly rate. Optional add-on services like full-home packing, packing supplies, and storage are quoted separately.
Related Terms
Long Carry
A long carry is the additional charge most movers add when the truck cannot be parked close to the entrance and crews must walk an extended distance to load or unload.
Stair Carry
Stair carry is the fee most moving companies add for each flight of stairs the crew must navigate when loading or unloading — typically $50 to $75 per flight.
Shuttle Service
A shuttle service is when the moving company uses a smaller truck to ferry belongings between the customer's address and a larger long-haul truck parked elsewhere — typically because the larger truck cannot access the address.
Storage-in-Transit (SIT)
Storage-in-Transit, or SIT, is short-term storage provided by the moving company between pickup and final delivery — typically because the customer's destination isn't ready to receive the shipment.
Have More Questions About Your Move?
Talk to a real person — no chatbots, no high-pressure sales. We'll explain anything in the moving process you want to understand.