How Liftgate at Checkout Works

A liftgate is needed when the delivery location can't get freight off the truck on its own (no loading dock or forklift). Shipduo handles liftgate automatically at checkout based on the delivery address — so customers are quoted accurately and you avoid surprise carrier charges after delivery.

How Shipduo Decides

Shipduo automatically checks whether the delivery address is residential or commercial using address validation. What happens at checkout depends on the result.

Commercial addresses

Customers see two options at checkout:

• No Liftgate
• Liftgate Needed

They choose based on whether the destination can unload the freight itself.

Residential addresses

Shipduo automatically includes both the residential delivery fee and the liftgate fee in the rate. Customers are not given the option to remove liftgate — because selecting the cheaper non-liftgate option can result in additional carrier charges after delivery.

Optional: Always Include Liftgate

If liftgate is enabled in your checkout settings, Shipduo will include liftgate on every checkout rate — regardless of whether the address is residential or commercial.

Why It Works This Way

• Accurate quotes: the rate reflects what the delivery actually requires.
• No surprise re-bills: residential deliveries almost always need a liftgate, so including it up front prevents the carrier from charging extra later.
• Flexibility for commercial: commercial locations often have a dock or forklift, so customers get to choose.

💡 Tip: This works hand in hand with residential detection. For more on how Shipduo identifies residential addresses, see How Residential Address Detection Works.

Troubleshooting

• A commercial address was treated as residential (or vice versa)? Liftgate is driven by address validation. If a destination is misclassified, double-check the address details.
• Want liftgate on every order? Enable liftgate in your checkout settings, and it will be added to all rates.
• Need help? Chat with us or contact Shipduo Support.

Updated on: 29/06/2026