UNFI deduction type
Freight & backhaul allowances
Deductions to cover freight when UNFI moves your product — a percentage or per-pallet allowance that must match your agreement's rate.
Ledger Deduction Recovery Team · Deduction recovery specialists working with emerging & mid-market CPG brands
Last reviewed: August 4, 2026
Educational content — not legal, tax, or accounting advice. Verify deadlines and fee details against your current distributor agreement before disputing.
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.
Find every disputable freight deduction in your file
Upload a UNFI remittance and we'll flag the recoverable lines and estimate what you're owed — free, in seconds.
Analyze my deductions — freeFrequently asked questions
What is a UNFI freight allowance?
A discount UNFI takes to cover freight when it handles transportation of your product — typically a fixed percentage or per-pallet amount, shown as a 'Freight Allowance' deduction on your remittance.
When is a UNFI freight deduction recoverable?
When it's calculated at the wrong rate or basis, or taken on shipments where you (not UNFI) arranged and paid the freight.
Related UNFI deductions
- UNFI shortage deductionsUNFI deducts for units it says it never received, or received against the wrong PO — a factual dispute that makes shortages the most recoverable UNFI deduction type.
- UNFI pricing deductionsShort-pays where UNFI paid a different cost than you invoiced, or applied a deal you didn't agree to — among the most recoverable UNFI deduction types.
- UNFI unsaleables deductionsChargebacks for product damaged or spoiled while in UNFI's possession, plus percentage-based allowances baked into your agreement.