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A freight or expense bill must be issued by a common carrier when transporting shipments.
Scope
This requirement applies to common carriers transporting shipments.
Regulatory citations
- 49 CFR 373.103 — For-hire, non-exempt expense bills
Key definitions
- Freight: Goods being transported from one place to another.
- Freight bill: The carrier’s invoice for payment of transport services rendered.
- Freight charge: The rate established for transporting freight.
- Receiver: A person who takes delivery from a motor carrier or driver of a commercial motor vehicle of property transported in interstate or intrastate commerce.
- Shipper: A person who tenders property to a motor carrier or driver of a commercial motor vehicle for transportation in interstate or intrastate commerce.
Summary of requirements
Every for-hire, non-exempt motor carrier of property must issue a freight or expense bill for each shipment transported.
The freight or expense bill must include:
- Names of consignor and consignee;
- Date of shipment;
- Origin and destination points;
- Number of packages;
- Description of freight;
- Weight, volume, or measurement of freight (if applicable to the rating of the freight);
- Exact rate(s) assessed;
- Total charges due, including the nature and amount of any charges for special service and the points at which such service was rendered;
- Route of movement and name of each carrier participating in the transportation;
- Transfer point(s) through which shipment moved; and
- Address where remittance must be made or address of bill issuer’s principal place of business.
A document for payment that is presented or transmitted electronically by a motor carrier to the person directly responsible to the motor carrier for payment, or to an agent of such responsible person must:
- Disclose the actual rates, charges, or allowances for the transportation service; and
- Indicate that a reduction, allowance, or other adjustment may apply when the actual rate, charge, or allowance is dependent upon the performance of a service by a party to the transportation arrangement, such as tendering a volume freight over a stated period of time.
No person shall cause a motor carrier to present false or misleading information on a document for payment about the actual rate, charge, or allowance to any party to the transaction.
The shipper or receiver owing the charges shall be given the freight or expense bill and the carrier shall keep a copy as prescribed in 49 CFR 379.
If the bill is electronically transmitted (when agreed to by the carrier and payor) a receipted copy shall be given to the payor upon payment.