How intercity parcel pricing works in India (freight, docket, FOV, GST)

Ever received a freight bill that was 30% higher than the "rate" you were quoted? You are not alone. Intercity pricing in India is built from several small charges stacked together. Here is what each line on the invoice usually means.

1. Base freight

The core charge for moving your goods from A to B. It is usually quoted per kg (or per parcel) for a lane, and it moves with distance, demand, and season. Festive season, harvest months, and monsoon typically push rates up across the industry. If a quote seems too good to be true, check what else is missing from it — the base rate is only the beginning.

2. Docket / booking charges

The docket (also called a consignment note or lorry receipt) is the legal document for your shipment. Most transporters add a small fixed docket or documentation fee per consignment. It is legitimate — just make sure it was disclosed before you booked.

3. FOV — freight on value

FOV is a small percentage charged on the declared value of your goods. It relates to the carrier's liability coverage on the consignment. Declared value matters: under-declaring to save a few rupees can cap what you can claim if goods are damaged.

4. Fuel surcharge

Many operators add a fuel surcharge as a percentage of base freight, adjusted as diesel prices move. Ask whether it is fixed or variable — and get the percentage in writing.

5. Handling, loading and unloading

Pickup, loading, unloading, and door delivery each involve labour. Sometimes these are bundled into the quote; sometimes they appear as separate lines. Industry guides commonly cite a few hundred to a couple of thousand rupees per delivery for handling — confirm whether your quote includes it.

6. GST

Road freight in India typically attracts GST under the Goods Transport Agency structure: commonly 5% without input tax credit, or 12% with ITC. Under reverse charge at 5%, the registered receiver — not the transporter — pays the tax. Individual small operators may be exempt. If you are GST-registered, the 12% option often works out better because you can claim the credit. When in doubt, ask your accountant — not your transporter.

The one question that protects you

Before you book with anyone, ask: "Is this the all-in price, including docket, FOV, fuel surcharge, handling, and GST?" Get the answer in writing — a screenshot of the quote is fine. That single question eliminates most billing surprises.

How BookRoket approaches this

We believe the quote you see should be the price you pay. Our pricing page is being built around all-in, line-item quotes — no post-booking additions. A note on where BookRoket stands: we are pre-launch, starting with Hyderabad outbound lanes. When we open, you will be able to compare us directly on upfront pricing and milestone-by-milestone tracking.