GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 19, 2026
cost allocation
Cost allocation in logistics comes into play whenever expenses incurred across multiple shipments, clients, or orders must be assigned to individual cost centers or beneficiaries using a defined methodology.
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Source: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cost-allocation.asp
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Cost allocation in logistics comes into play whenever expenses incurred across multiple shipments, clients, or orders must be assigned to individual cost centers or beneficiaries using a defined methodology. Common allocation keys include weight, volume, linear meters, distance, or labor time, depending on the service type and contractual terms. Freight forwarders apply cost allocation primarily in groupage transport, multi-client shipments, and shared warehousing to charge each position on a cause-related basis. Transparent allocation is both a calculation requirement and a prerequisite for auditable invoicing. Unlike a cost apportionment based on flat-rate spreading, cost allocation relies on measurable individual units of consumption.
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