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Common Questions About Contract Management
What's the difference between a transportation contract and a pricing agreement?
A transportation contract locks in your rates and terms — the carrier can’t change them without your consent. A pricing agreement lets the carrier adjust rates and terms at will. Most shippers who think they’re protected are actually on a pricing agreement, which is exactly where overpayment hides.
We already have a contract — is there still value in managing it?
Almost always yes. A signed contract doesn’t mean the terms are being honored. ICC regularly finds missed discounts, unapplied incentives, and rate increases that carriers slipped in over time. Contract management is what keeps the agreement working after the negotiation is over.
How much does contract management cost?
ICC’s Logistics Cost Review has no upfront cost. We review your contracts and invoices, identify where terms aren’t being honored, and deliver findings before any engagement begins. If you choose to engage ICC further, our structure is aligned with your results.
What are the biggest sources of hidden contract costs?
Three things: unapplied discounts, uncapped annual rate increases, and auto-renewals that lock in weak terms. None of them trigger an alert — they just get paid until someone looks.
Does this apply to all carriers and modes?
Yes. ICC manages contracts with parcel carriers, freight carriers (LTL, truckload, international), and 3PL providers — domestic and international. The same rigor applies whether it’s a UPS agreement or an ocean freight contract.
Do we have to switch carriers?
No. Contract management is about holding your existing carriers to better terms — not replacing them. Most clients keep every carrier they came in with.
How much work is this for our team?
Minimal. ICC needs your signed carrier agreements and about two months of paid invoices. No system integrations, no lengthy onboarding. Most clients spend less than a few hours getting ICC what it needs to start.
How quickly do we see results?
Billing and discount recoveries can happen within weeks. Contract improvements take effect at the next renewal or renegotiation, which ICC helps you time and execute. Most clients see measurable results within the first 60–90 days.
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Common Questions About Contract Negotiations
What does ICC's contract negotiation service include?
We benchmark your current rates, identify hidden fees and missed opportunities, and either equip your team to negotiate or negotiate directly with carriers to secure better parcel and freight terms.
What do you need from me to start?
About 30 minutes to gather recent invoices and your current carrier agreements. From there, ICC handles the analysis and builds your negotiation strategy.
Do you negotiate both parcel and freight contracts?
Yes. We negotiate parcel agreements across UPS, FedEx, and DHL, and freight contracts across LTL, truckload, and international carriers.
How much can ICC's negotiations save?
Clients typically cut shipping costs by up to 30%. One biomedical firm saved $4.5 million over a five-year contract, and a home furnishings distributor reduced freight costs by 50%.
Do I have to switch carriers to save?
No. ICC optimizes the agreements you already have. Better terms come from stronger negotiation, not from disrupting your carrier relationships.
How does ICC know what better rates look like?
We maintain a proprietary database of real carrier rates and fees built over 50 years, so we benchmark your pricing against what comparable shippers actually pay.
Can you limit annual rate increases?
Yes. We build multi-year contracts with terms designed to cap or eliminate the general rate increases that quietly raise your costs each year.
Will negotiating hurt my carrier relationships?
No. ICC negotiates from data and mutual respect. Carriers do this every day — a well-prepared shipper simply levels the table, and the relationship stays intact.
Do you negotiate on our behalf or advise our team?
Either. Some clients want ICC at the table directly; others want our benchmarks and strategy to negotiate on their behalf. We tailor the engagement to how you prefer to work.