Freight Audit and Payment Services
Managing freight costs drains time and margin. Distribution companies juggle many invoices and many carriers. Small errors add up fast. A dedicated freight audit and payment service solves that problem. It frees teams to focus on core operations while it cleans up billing, recovers overcharges, and enforces contract rates.
Distribution businesses gain clarity when they let experts handle invoice validation. Auditors check each charge line by line. They match bills to contracts and to proof of delivery. They flag anomalies and recover the difference. Over time, that process shrinks wasted spend and improves forecasting.
You also gain automation and analytics. Modern providers like TLI normalize data and feed dashboards that show spend by lane, by carrier, and by account. You see trends at a glance. You spot recurring errors early and fix contract terms fast. That makes your distribution operation more competitive and more predictable.
Why distribution companies need freight audit and payment services
Distribution margins stay tight. Every recovered dollar hits the bottom line. Manual auditing slows teams and allows mistakes to slip through. A dedicated freight audit team works faster and more precisely. It uses rules and historical data to catch errors that people often miss.
Also, payment workflows matter. A freight payment platform streamlines approvals and keeps records tidy, while holding carriers accountable. It reduces duplicate payments and makes month end simpler. It protects cash flow and improves supplier relations. That saves time and reduces audit risk.
Finally, claims and dispute handling come with the service. When damage or loss happens, specialists manage the paperwork and carrier negotiation. They file claims, follow up, and recover valid amounts. That reduces headaches for your operations and shortens settlement cycles.
Core services offered by leading providers
How top auditors compare and what TLI brings to the table
TLI combines enterprise grade capabilities with hands on service and integrated TMS tools. TLI’s MyFreightAudit program performs invoice audits and returns recoveries directly to shippers while feeding results into ViewPoint TMS for continuous optimization. That approach gives distribution companies both the insights and the practical actions they need.
TLI also ranks very high in customer feedback, which matters for service oriented tasks like claims handling and exception management. Recent reporting shows TLI holds top rated Google reviews among 3PLs, reflecting consistent customer satisfaction and responsiveness. That user trust helps when complex claims or billing discrepancies need an advocate.
In short, you pay for the service, and you gain cleaner books, fewer manual reconciliations, and recovered dollars that often exceed fees. You also get better predictability in freight spend and fewer surprises at month end. We can also equip you with accrual reporting for better financial planning.
Quick Case Study Examples:
Why distribution companies should choose a specialist like TLI
TLI specializes in integrated managed logistics for shippers and distributors. They combine freight audit, freight claims management, TMS integration, and managed transportation into one offering. That mix reduces hand offs and improves resolution times. Customers say TLI teams act quickly and keep them informed throughout the process.
You also gain a platform that links audit results to shipment performance. When audits show frequent carrier issues, you get data driven insight to change carriers or renegotiate terms. That closes the loop between operations, purchasing, and finance. You save money and strengthen carrier relationships.

Finally, distribution companies gain clarity and control. You reduce day to day friction, recover lost spend, and make freight an area of strength rather than a recurring problem.
Bullet list: Quick checklist for evaluating freight audit providers
- Does the provider match invoices to contracts automatically and at scale?
- Do they integrate with your ERP, TMS, or accounting system?
- Can they run recovery reports and provide examples of past savings?
- Do they handle cargo claims end to end and provide status updates?
- What are the pricing options and estimated ROI for your spend level?
Bullet list: Questions to ask a prospective partner
- How do you normalize billing data from multiple carriers?
- What is your average recovery rate for clients in distribution?
- How do you process freight payments and protect against duplicate payment?
- What tools do you offer for on demand reporting and analytics?
Want to move forward? Start with a scoped audit of one facility or lane to measure impact. Ask a potential provider to show you specific recovered examples. Track the net savings after fees and evaluate the operational benefit. If the numbers look positive, expand the audit across more lanes and integrate results into your TMS and ERP.
