What Is DIFOT? The Freight Metric That Reveals Carrier Performance

If you manage freight, procurement, or supply chain operations, you’ve probably heard the term DIFOT thrown around in carrier reviews, tender documents, and performance reports. But what does DIFOT actually mean, how is it calculated, and why should it matter to your business?

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about DIFOT freight performance, including how to use it when evaluating carriers and improving your own supply chain outcomes.

DIFOT Stands for Delivered In Full, On Time

DIFOT is a supply chain performance metric that measures the percentage of orders delivered complete and within the agreed timeframe. The name says it all: Delivered In Full, On Time.

It answers two critical questions at once. Did the entire order arrive? And did it arrive when it was supposed to?

A shipment that arrives on time but missing items fails the “in full” test. A complete order that arrives late fails the “on time” test. Only shipments that tick both boxes count toward a positive DIFOT score.

How DIFOT Is Calculated

The formula is straightforward:

DIFOT % = (Orders Delivered In Full and On Time ÷ Total Orders) × 100

For example, if a carrier delivers 950 orders in full and on time out of 1,000 total consignments, their DIFOT score is 95%.

Most Australian logistics providers target a DIFOT score above 95%, though top-tier carriers often aim for 97% or higher. The benchmark can vary depending on the industry, freight type, and delivery locations involved.

Why DIFOT Matters for Your Business

DIFOT is more than a number on a report. It directly impacts customer satisfaction, operational costs, and your ability to maintain strong relationships with retailers and distributors.

Here’s what poor DIFOT performance can cost you:

• Customer complaints and chargebacks from retailers who receive late or incomplete orders
• Production delays when inbound components don’t arrive on schedule
• Increased admin costs from investigating failed deliveries and arranging re-sends
• Reputational damage when customers lose trust in your ability to deliver
• Lost sales when stock-outs result from missed freight windows

Conversely, high DIFOT performance signals reliability. It gives your customers confidence that orders will arrive as promised, every time.

DIFOT vs OTIF: What’s the Difference?

You might also encounter the term OTIF, which stands for On Time In Full. Good news: OTIF and DIFOT mean the same thing. Different industries and regions use different acronyms, but the metric itself is identical.

Some businesses break the metric into separate components, tracking “On Time” and “In Full” independently. This can help pinpoint whether delivery failures are caused by timing issues, picking errors, or carrier performance.

What Affects DIFOT Performance?

Multiple factors influence whether a consignment is delivered in full and on time. Some are within your control; others depend on your freight partner’s capabilities.

Factors within your control:

• Order accuracy at the warehouse level
• Correct labelling and packaging
• Booking freight within cut-off times
• Providing accurate delivery addresses and contact details

Factors dependent on your carrier:

• Network coverage and depot locations
• Linehaul scheduling and transit times
• Driver availability and route planning
• Real-time tracking and exception management
• Communication when issues arise

Choosing a freight partner with strong operational systems, national coverage, and transparent reporting gives you the best chance of maintaining high DIFOT scores.

How to Improve Your DIFOT Score

Improving DIFOT requires attention at both ends of the supply chain. Your internal processes need to be tight, and your freight carrier needs to perform consistently.

Steps to improve DIFOT:

1. Audit your picking and packing accuracy – Errors at the warehouse flow through to delivery failures. Invest in barcode scanning and quality checks before dispatch.
2. Book freight early – Consignments booked after cut-off times miss scheduled linehaul departures, pushing delivery into the next service window.
3. Provide accurate consignment data – Incorrect weights, dimensions, or addresses create delays and failed deliveries.
4. Choose a carrier with real-time visibility – Tracking consignments at every milestone allows you to catch issues early and communicate proactively with customers.
5. Review carrier reports regularly – Monthly DIFOT reporting helps identify trends, problem routes, or recurring issues that need addressing.
6. Integrate your systems – Connecting your WMS or ERP to your carrier’s TMS reduces manual data entry errors and speeds up the booking process.

How to Use DIFOT When Choosing a Freight Partner

When evaluating carriers, ask for their DIFOT performance data. A reputable freight company will be transparent about their delivery metrics and willing to share reporting examples.

Questions to ask potential freight partners:

• What is your current DIFOT score across your network?
• How do you measure “on time” – by delivery date or delivery window?
• Can you provide DIFOT reports segmented by state, service type, or customer?
• What happens when a delivery fails? How is it reported and resolved?
• Do you offer real-time tracking and proactive exception alerts?

A carrier that can answer these questions confidently, with data to back it up, is one that takes performance seriously.

DIFOT Reporting at TFMXpress

At TFMXpress, we provide customisable DIFOT reporting tailored to each client’s requirements. Whether you need daily summaries or detailed multi-site performance dashboards, our systems deliver the right data at the right time.

Our real-time tracking platform captures every scan event from pick-up through to final delivery, giving you full visibility across your consignments. And because we operate company-owned depots in all major cities backed by a trusted national agency network, we maintain consistent service standards from metro to regional Australia.