FeeHawk / Guides

Split-case, broken-case and small-order fees explained

Ordering less than a full case, or placing a small order, can trigger an upcharge. It rarely looks like a fee: often it is just a higher unit price on the line, or a separate charge at the bottom.

Split-case (broken-case) upcharges

When you buy individual units from a case, many distributors charge more per unit than the full-case price divided by the pack count. It may appear as a separate line (SPLIT CHG, BRKN CASE) or be built into the unit price.

How to check it

1. Find items where you order eaches rather than cases (look for a unit code like EA or a quantity with a split flag).
2. Divide the full-case price by the pack count to get a per-unit case price.
3. Compare to the per-unit price you paid. The difference, times how often you order it, is what splitting costs you.

Sometimes the split is worth it (spices, specialty items that would spoil). For items you use steadily, a full case every other week can be cheaper.

Small-drop and minimum-order fees

Distributors may charge a fee when an order is below a dollar or case minimum. Watch for lines like SMALL DROP, MIN ORDER or BELOW MIN. The fix is usually scheduling: fewer, larger orders, or moving a small add-on order to your main delivery day.

Questions for your rep

• What are the minimums for my account, and are they in writing?
• Which items carry a split upcharge, and how much?
• Can the fee be waived on weeks when a delivery is short or late because of the distributor?

FeeHawk flags split-case and small-order charges on each invoice, including upcharges built into the unit price, and totals them by month.