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Tariff publishing.
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Need Help Publishing a Tariff?
This firm can assist you in creating a custom tariff. Contact us today.
Domestic interstate moving companies are required to publish their own
tariff. If interested, this law office can work with you to:
1. Create a custom-tariff;
2. Train you and your staff on industry regulations;
3. Train your staff on responding to claims and how to provide excellent
customer service;
4. Create Bills of Lading, Estimates, and more;
5. Answer any questions you may have about legal compliance as it pertains
to interstate moving.
The process to create a tariff is simple. Simply contact us and we will send you a questionnaire to complete that asks details about your business such as your company name and address, your rates, and your delivery timeframes. We will use the information from your completed form to create a custom tariff designed specifically for your company.
Household Goods Tariff Publishing
Moving companies that transport household goods interstate are required by law to publish a tariff. In the case of interstate household goods rules, tariff publishing does not mean that the moving company must upload the tariff to a website or file it with the government. Movers may publish a tariff on their own or have a competent professional create a tariff for them, so long as the tariff meets all legal requirements.
Among other rules, tariffs shall be published in the English language and rates shall be stated in money of the United States. Tariffs must be kept at the offices of the moving company, and must be made available for inspection by the public or by the relevant government entity. The tariff shall be accessible and readable. The mover must also display a notice saying that the tariff is available for public inspection.
Tariff Publishing FAQs
Here are some simple questions and answers about publishing a tariff:
Q. What is a
tariff and must a motor carrier have one?
A. A tariff is a document that must be
published by every interstate household goods moving company. Among other
things, the tariff lists the prices, rules, policies, and types of services
offered by the mover.
Q. How does a
moving company publish a tariff?
A. Movers may publish a tariff on their
own or have a competent professional create a tariff for them, so long as
the tariff meets all legal requirements.
Q. What must be
included in a tariff?
A. Tariffs must include an accurate
description of the services offered to the public; must provide the specific
applicable rates, charges and service terms; and must be arranged in a way
that allows for the determination of the exact rate, charges and service
terms applicable to any given shipment. Increases, reductions and other
changes must be symbolized or highlighted in some way to facilitate ready
identification of the changes and their effective dates.
Q. Must a moving
company file its tariff with the Department of Transportation (DOT)?
A. No. Interstate moving companies operating in the United
States need not file their tariff with the DOT. However, moving companies
must keep a current copy of their tariff on hand at their office and must
make this tariff available to a customer or government body upon reasonable
request. Additionally, moving companies must issue a notice to their
customers stating that the tariff is available for inspection.
Q. Does a moving company list its prices in its tariff?
What if a moving company wants to deviate from the prices in its tariff?
A. One of the key elements in a tariff is that it lists the
prices that the mover will charge for the different types of services it
offers. A moving company must charge exactly the rates it lists in its
tariff. The mover may not deviate from these prices by even a fraction. The
tariff is customized to each individual motor carrier’s needs, so the mover
should not have a need to charge prices not listed in the tariff. If the
motor carrier’s business needs change, then the mover may legally publish an
update, or amendment, to their tariff, listing the new rates. At that point,
the mover may charge its customers the new rates only – the old rates will
no longer be effective. In sum, the mover may not charge its customers
prices that are not specified in its tariff.
Q. What are the penalties for violating tariff rules and
regulations?
A. Penalties for violating tariff rules and regulations can
be both civil and criminal in nature. An interstate moving company may lose
its operating authority. Any moving company that charges rates that are not
consistent with their published tariff shall be liable for a civil penalty
of up to $100,000.00 per violation. In addition, criminal charges for
charging rates not consistent with the tariff may include a fine and prison
for up to two (2) years for each violation.
Household Goods Blog
Click here to read David Piotrowski's household goods blog.
In General
David Piotrowski is a certified claims analyst, having successfully completed the American Moving and Storage Association's (AMSA) claims and arbitration program. In addition, Mr. Piotrowski is a member of the Transportation Lawyers Association, whose members include prominent transportation lawyers from throughout the country. Mr. Piotrowski is uniquely positioned to handle your transportation law matters as they pertain to the household goods moving industry.
