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This firm handles many types of immigration matters, including student and work visas.  We also assist people  wanting to become a citizen of the United States  through either an employment or family-based method.

Business Law

We draft, negotiate, and review many different types of contracts such as agent agreements and liability releases.  We also help form business entities such as corporations and LLCs.  Let us help you today.

Transportation Law

This firm represents household goods moving companies and individual shippers.  We handle establishing operating authority, creating custom tariffs, and resolving claims and disputes.

Tariff publishing.

Receive a free, no-obligation consultation today by filling out the form on the right side of this page, or by calling (661) 607-0646.

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.

Transportation Lawyer -- AMSA Certified Claims Analyst
Transportation Lawyer -- AMSA Certified Claims Analyst