Forced freight is costly but easily avoided
Occasionally a general contractor will FORCE the return of freight through his show carrier and charge higher rates. It's usually the result of miscommunication. An exhibitor leaves before his or her exhibit and discovers later that the general contractor reassigned shipment to the show carrier.
To guard against this, exhibitors or their service people need to notify their freight haulers of check-in deadlines for outbound shipping from shows. If you do this and the hauler misses the deadline (times are published in the show kit or available at the show services desk) the freight hauler is liable.
There are other checks and balances. When a bill of lading is turned in at the service desk - which is necessary to get an exhibit moved to the show floor - the individual turning it in (usually the shipper) is notified of the check-in schedule. At most shows, a signature is required on the bill of lading acknowledging awareness of regulations and accepting responsibility.
Small General Contractors or Hotel Shows are most notorious for initiating forced freight charges. Small general contractors have even been known to play games in order to obtain the freight.