Prepared By The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) regulations protect consumers on interstate moves and define the rights and responsibilities of consumers and household goods carriers.

Your primary responsibility is to select a reputable household goods carrier, ensure that you understand the terms and conditions of the contract, and understand and pursue the remedies that are available to you when problems arise. You should talk to your mover if you have further questions.

• Movers must give written estimates.

• Movers may give binding estimates.

• Non-binding estimates are not always accurate; actual charges may exceed the estimate.

• You should not sign blank or incomplete documents or allow anyone representing you to do so.

• You may request from the mover the availability of guaranteed pick up and delivery dates.

• Be sure you understand the mover's responsibility for loss or damage, and request an explanation of the difference between valuation and actual insurance.

• You have the right to be present each time your shipment is weighed.

• You may request a reweigh of your shipment.

• If you agree to move under a non-binding estimate, you should confirm with your mover-in writing-the method of payment at delivery as cash, certified check, cashier's check, money order, or credit card.

• Movers must offer a dispute settlement program as an alternative means of settling loss or damage claims. ASK YOUR MOVER FOR DETAILS.

• You should ask the person you speak to whether he/she works for the actual mover or a household goods broker. A household goods broker only arranges for the transportation. A household goods broker must not represent itself as a mover. A household goods broker does not own trucks of its own. The broker is required to find an authorized mover to provide the transportation. You should know a household goods broker generally has no authority to provide you an estimate on behalf of a specific mover. If a household goods broker provides you an estimate, it may not be binding on the actual mover and you may have to pay the actual charges the mover incurs. A household goods broker is not responsible for loss or damage.

• You should seek estimates from at least three different movers. You should not disclose any information to the different movers about their competitors, as it may affect the accuracy of their estimates.

In general, your mover is legally liable for loss or damage if it happens during performance of any transportation of household goods and all related services identified on your mover's lawful bill of lading. Your mover is liable for loss of, or damage to, any household goods to the extent provided in the current Surface Transportation Board's Released Rates Order.

All moving companies are required to assume liability for the value of the goods transported. However, there are different levels of liability, and you should be aware of the amount of protection provided and the charges for each option.

Basically, most movers offer two different levels of liability (options 1 and two, below) under the terms of their tariffs and the Surface Transportation Board ' s Released Rates Orders. These orders govern the moving industry.

OPTION 1 : RELEASED VALUE

This is the most economical protection option available. This no-additional cost option provides minimal protection. Under this option, the mover assumes liability for no more than 60 cents per pound ($1.32 cents per kilogram), per article. Loss or damage claims are settled based upon the pound (kilogram) weight of the article multiplied by 60 cents per pound ($1.32 cents per kilogram). For example, if your mover lost or destroyed a 10-pound (4.54-kilogram) stereo component valued at $1000, your mover would be liable for no more than $6.00. Obviously, you should think carefully before agreeing to such an arrangement. There is no extra charge for this minimal protection, but you must sign a specific statement on the bill of lading agreeing to it.

OPTION 2 : FULL VALUE PROTECTION (FVP)

Under this option, the mover is liable for the replacement value of lost or damaged goods (as long as it doesn't exceed the total declared value of the shipment). If you elect to purchase full value protection, when your mover loses, damages or destroys your articles, your mover must repair, replace with like items, or settle in cash at the current market replacement value, regardless of the age of the lost or damaged item. The minimum declared value of a shipment under this option is $5,000 or $4.00 times the actual total weight (in pounds) of the shipment, whichever is greater. For example, the minimum declared value for a 4,000-pound (1,814.4-kilogram) shipment would be $16,000. Your mover may offer you FVP with a $250 or $500 deductible, or with no deductible at all. The amount of the deductible will affect the cost of your FVP coverage. The $4.00 per pound minimum valuation rate may be increased annually by your mover based on changes in the household furnishings element of the Consumer Price Index established by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Unless you specifically agree to other arrangements, the mover must assume liability for the entire shipment based upon this option. The approximate cost for FVP is $8.50 for each $1000 of declared value; however, it may vary by mover. In the example above, the valuation charge for a shipment valued at $16,000 would be $136.00. This fee may be adjusted annually by your mover based on changes in the household furnishings element of the Consumer Price Index.

What actions by me limit or reduce my mover's normal liability?

Your actions may limit or reduce your mover's normal liability, under the following three circumstances:

You include perishable, dangerous, or hazardous materials in your household goods without your mover's knowledge.

You ship household goods valued at more than 60 cents per pound ($1.32 per kilogram) per article.

You fail to notify your mover in writing of articles valued at more than $100 per pound ($220 per kilogram). (If you do notify your mover, you will be entitled to full recovery up to the declared value of the article or articles, not to exceed the declared value of the entire shipment.)

What are dangerous or hazardous materials that may limit or reduce my mover's normal liability?

Federal law forbids you shipping hazardous materials in your household goods boxes or luggage without informing your mover. A violation can result in five years imprisonment and penalties of $250,000 or more (49 U.S.C. 5124). You may also lose or damage your household goods by fire, explosion, or contamination.

Hazardous materials include explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosives, and radioactive materials.

Examples: Nail polish remover, paints, paint thinners, lighter fluid, gasoline, fireworks, oxygen bottles, propane cylinders, automotive repair and maintenance chemicals, and radio-pharmaceuticals.

There are special exceptions for small quantities (up to 70 ounces total) of medicinal and toilet articles carried in your household goods and certain smoking materials carried on your person. For further information contact your mover.

How must my mover handle complaints and inquiries?

All movers are expected to respond promptly to complaints or inquiries from you, the customer. Should you have a complaint or question about your move, you should first attempt to obtain a satisfactory response from the mover's local agent, the sales representative who handled the arrangements for your move, or the driver assigned to your shipment.

If for any reason you are unable to obtain a satisfactory response from one of these persons, you should then contact the mover's principal office. When you make such a call, be sure to have available your copies of all the documents relating to your move. Particularly important is the number assigned to your shipment by your mover.

Interstate movers are also required to offer neutral arbitration as a means of resolving consumer loss or damage disputes involving loss of, or damage to, household goods. Your mover is required to provide you with information regarding its arbitration program. You have the right to pursue court action under 49 U.S.C. 14704 to seek judicial redress directly and to not participate in your mover's arbitration program.

All interstate moving companies are required to maintain a complaint and inquiry procedure to assist their customers. At the time you make the arrangements for your move, you should ask the mover ' s representative for a description of the mover ' s procedure, the telephone number to be used to contact the mover, and whether the mover will pay for such telephone calls. Your mover's procedure must include the following four things:

• A communications system allowing you to communicate with your mover's principal place of business by telephone.
• A telephone number.
• A clear and concise statement about who must pay for complaint and inquiry telephone calls.
• A written or electronic record system for recording all inquiries and complaints received from you by any means of communication.

Do I have the right to inspect my mover's tariffs (schedules of charges) applicable to my move?

Federal law requires your mover to advise you of your right to inspect your mover's tariffs (its schedules of rates or charges) governing your shipment. Mover tariffs are made a part of the contract of carriage (bill of lading) between you and the mover. You may inspect the tariff at the mover's facility, or, upon request, the mover will furnish you a free copy of any tariff provision containing the mover's rates, rules, or charges governing your shipment.

Tariffs may include provisions limiting the mover's liability. This would generally be described in a section on declaring value on the bill of lading. A second tariff provision may set the periods for filing claims. This would generally be described in Section 6 on the reverse side of a bill of lading. A third tariff provision may reserve your mover's right to assess additional charges for additional services performed. For non-binding estimates, another tariff provision may base charges upon the exact weight of the goods transported. Your mover's tariff may contain other provisions that apply to your move. Ask your mover what they might be.

How must my mover collect charges?

Your mover must issue you an honest, truthful freight or expense bill for each shipment transported. Your mover's freight or expense bill must contain the following 19 items:

1.Name of the consignor.

2. Name of the consignees.

3. Date of the shipment.

4. Origin point.

5. Destination points.

6. Number of packages.

7. Description of the freight.

8. Weight of the freight (if applicable to the rating of the freight).

9. The volume of the freight (if applicable to the rating of the freight).

10. The measurement of the freight (if applicable to the rating of the freight).

11. Exact rate(s) assessed.

12. Disclose the actual rates, charges, and allowances for the transportation service, when your mover electronically presents or transmits freight or expense bills to you. These rates must be in accordance with the mover's applicable tariff.

13. Indicate whether adjustments may apply to the bill.

14. Total charges due and acceptable methods of payment.

15. The nature and amount of any special service charges.

16. The points where special services were rendered.

17. Route of movement and name of each mover participating in the transportation.

18. Transfer points where shipments moved.

19. Address where you must pay or address of bill issuer's principal place of business.

Your mover must present its freight or expense bill to you within 15 days of the date of delivery of a shipment at its destination. The computation of time includes Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays.

If your mover lacks sufficient information to compute its charges, your mover must present its freight bill for payment within 15 days of the date when sufficient information does become available.

May my mover collect charges upon delivery?

Yes. Your mover must specify the form of payment acceptable at delivery when the mover prepares an estimate and order for service. The mover and its agents must honor the form of payment at delivery, except when you mutually agree to a change in writing. The mover must also specify the same form of payment when it prepares your bill of lading, unless you agree to a change.

You must prepare yourself to pay 10 percent more than the estimated amount, if your goods are moving under a non-binding estimate. Every collect-on-delivery shipper must have available 110 percent of the estimate at the time of delivery.

May my mover extend credit to me?

Extending credit to you is not the same as accepting your charge or credit card(s) as payment. Your mover may relinquish possession of freight before you pay its tariff charges, at its discretion. Your mover may extend credit to you in the amount of the tariff charges. Your mover must ensure you will pay its tariff charges within the credit period. If your mover extends credit to you, your mover becomes like a bank offering you a line of credit, whose size and interest rate are determined by your ability to pay its tariff charges within the credit period.

The credit period must begin on the day following presentation of your mover's freight bill to you. Under Federal regulation, the standard credit period is 15 days, including Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays, except your mover may establish its own standard credit period of up to 30 calendar days. Your mover may also establish a service charge for extending credit, including a minimum service charge. Your mover's service charge only applies when your payments are made after its established standard credit period. For example, if your mover's established standard credit period is less than the maximum 30-calendar-day period, your mover may extend credit including a service charge for the additional time up to the maximum 30-calendar-day period. If your mover extends such credit, you may elect to postpone payment, including the service charge until the end of the extended credit period.

Your mover may establish additional service charges for payments made after the expiration of the 30-calendar-day period. If your mover establishes additional service charges, your mover must begin to compute service charges on the day following the last day of its standard credit period. If your mover establishes service charges, your mover must notify you about the following three things:

1. The only purpose of the service charge is to prevent you from having free use of the mover's funds.

2. The service charge encourages your prompt payment.

3. Your failure to pay within the credit period will require your mover to determine whether you will comply with the Federal-household-goods-transportation credit regulations in good faith in the future before extending credit again.

May my mover accept charge or credit cards for my payments?

Your mover may allow you to use a charge or credit card for payment of the freight charges. Your mover may accept charge or credit cards whenever you ship with it under an agreement and tariff requiring payment by cash or cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are a certified check, money order, or a cashier's check (a check drawn by a financial institution -- bank, credit union, savings & loan, etc. -- upon itself and signed by an officer of the financial institution).

If your mover allows you to pay for a freight or expense bill by charge or credit card, your mover deems such a payment to be equivalent to payment by cash, certified check, or a cashier's check. It must note in writing on the order for service and the bill of lading whether you may pay for the transportation and related services using a charge or credit card. You should ask your mover at the time the estimate is written whether it will accept charge or credit cards at delivery.

The mover must specify what charge or credit cards it will accept, such as American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa. The mover must arrange with you for delivery during the time when the mover's credit or collection department is open so the mover may seek approval of the payment by the card issuer. The mover does not have to make these delivery arrangements with you when it has equipped its motor vehicle(s) with card transaction processing machines.

If you cause a charge or credit card issuer to reverse a transaction, your mover may consider your action tantamount to forcing your mover to provide an involuntary extension of its credit.

Your mover may provide any service options it chooses. It is customary for movers to offer several price and service options.

The total cost of your move may increase if you want additional or special services. Before you agree to have your shipment moved under a bill of lading providing special service, you should have a clear understanding with your mover what the additional cost will be. You should always consider whether other movers may provide the services you require without requiring you to pay the additional charges.

One service option is a SPACE RESERVATION . If you agree to have your shipment transported under a space reservation agreement, you will pay for a minimum number of cubic feet of space in the moving van regardless of how much space in the van your shipment actually occupies.

A second option is EXPEDITED SERVICE . This aids you if you must have your shipments transported on or between specific dates when the mover could not ordinarily agree to do so in its normal operations.

A third customary service option is EXCLUSIVE USE OF A VEHICLE . If for any reason you desire or require your shipment be moved by itself on the mover's truck or trailer, most movers will provide such service.

Another service option is GUARANTEED SERVICE ON OR BETWEEN AGREED DATES . You enter into an agreement with the mover where the mover provides for your shipment to be picked up, transported to destination, and delivered on specific guaranteed dates. If the mover fails to provide the service as agreed, you are entitled to be compensated at a predetermined amount or a daily rate (per diem) regardless of the expense you actually might have incurred as a result of the mover's failure to perform.

Before requesting or agreeing to any of these price and service options, be sure to ask the mover's representatives about the final costs you will pay.

TRANSPORT OF SHIPMENTS ON TWO OR MORE VEHICLES

Although all movers try to move each shipment on one truck, it becomes necessary, at times, to divide a shipment among two or more trucks. This may occur if your mover has underestimated the cubic meters of space required for your shipment and it will not all fit on the first truck. Your mover will pick up the remainder or "leave behind" on a second truck at a later time and this part of your shipment may arrive at the destination at a later time than the first truck. When this occurs, your transportation charges will be determined as if the entire shipment moved on one truck.

If it is important for you to avoid this inconvenience of a "leave behind," be sure your estimate includes an accurate calculation of the cubic meters required for your shipment. Ask your estimator to use a "Table of Measurements" form in making this calculation. Consider asking for a binding estimate. A binding estimate is more likely to be conservative with regard to cubic meters than a non-binding estimate. If the mover offers space reservation service, consider purchasing this service for the necessary amount of space plus some margin for error. In any case, you would be prudent to "prioritize" your goods in advance of the move so the driver will load the more essential items on the first truck if some are left behind.

If my mover sells liability insurance coverage, what must my mover do?

If your mover provides the service of selling additional liability insurance, your mover must follow certain regulations.

Your mover, its employees, or its agents, may sell, offer to sell, or procure additional liability insurance coverage for you for loss or damage to your shipment, if you release the shipment for transportation at a value not exceeding 60 cents per pound ($1.32 per kilogram) per article.

Your mover may offer, sell, or procure any type of insurance policy covering loss or damage in excess of its specified liability.

Your mover must issue you a policy or other appropriate evidence of the insurance you purchased. Your mover must provide a copy of the policy or other appropriate evidence to you at the time your mover sells or procures the insurance. Your mover must issue policies written in plain English.

Your mover must clearly specify the nature and extent of coverage under the policy. Your mover's failure to issue you a policy, or other appropriate evidence of insurance you purchased, will subject your mover to full liability for any claims to recover loss or damage attributed to it.

Your mover must provide in its tariffs for the provision of liability insurance coverage. The tariff must also provide for the base transportation charge, including its assumption for full liability for the value of the shipment. This would be in the event your mover fails to issue you a policy or other appropriate evidence of insurance at the time of purchase.

We require your mover to prepare a written estimate on every shipment transported for you. You are entitled to a copy of the written estimate when your mover prepares it. Your mover must provide you a written estimate of all charges, including transportation, accessorial, and advance charges. Your mover's "rate quote" is not an estimate. You and your mover must sign the estimate of charges. Your mover must provide you with a dated copy of the estimate of charges at the time you sign the estimate.

You should be aware that if you receive an estimate from a household goods broker, the mover is not required to accept the estimate. Be sure to obtain a written estimate from the mover if a mover tells you orally that it will accept the broker's estimate.

Your mover must specify the form of payment it and its delivering agent will honor at delivery. Payment forms may include, but are not limited to, cash, a certified check, a money order, a cashier's check, a specific charge card such as American Express, a specific credit card such as Visa, or your mover's own credit.

If your mover provides you with an estimate based on volume that will later be converted to a weight-based rate, the mover must provide you an explanation in writing of the formula used to calculate the conversion to weight. Your mover must specify that the final charges will be based on actual weight and services. Before loading your household goods, and upon mutual agreement of both you and your mover, your mover may amend an estimate of charges. Your mover may not amend the estimate after loading the shipment.

A binding estimate is an agreement made in advance with your mover. It guarantees the total cost of the move based upon the quantities and services shown on your mover's estimate.

A non-binding estimate is what your mover believes the total cost will be for the move, based upon the estimated weight of the shipment and the accessorial services requested. A non-binding estimate is not binding on your mover. Your mover will base the final charges upon the actual weight of your shipment, the services provided, and its tariff provisions in effect. You must prepare yourself to pay 10 percent more than the estimated amount at delivery.

How must my mover estimate charges under the regulations?

BINDING ESTIMATES

Your mover may charge you for providing a binding estimate. The binding estimate must clearly describe the shipment and all services provided.

When you receive a binding estimate, you cannot be required to pay any more than the estimated amount at delivery. If you have requested the mover provide more services than those included in the estimate, the mover may not demand full payment for those added services at time of delivery. Instead he must bill for those services later, as explained below. Such services might include destination charges often not known at origin (i.e., long carry charges, shuttle charges, or extra stair carry charges).

A binding estimate must be in writing and a copy must be made available to you before you move.

If you agree to a binding estimate, you are responsible for paying the charges due by cash, certified check, money order, or a cashier's check. The charges are due your mover at the time of delivery unless your mover agrees, before you move, to extend credit or to accept payment by a specific charge card such as American Express or a specific credit card such as Visa. If you are unable to pay at the time the shipment is delivered, the mover may place your shipment in storage at your expense until you pay the charges.

Other requirements of binding estimates include the following eight elements:

1. Your mover must retain a copy of each binding estimate as an attachment to the bill of lading.

2. Your mover must clearly indicate upon each binding estimate's face the estimate is binding upon you and your mover. Each binding estimate must also clearly indicate on its face the charges shown are the charges to be assessed for only those services specifically identified in the estimate.

3. Your mover must clearly describe binding estimate shipments and all services to be provided.

4. If, before loading your shipment, your mover believes you are tendering additional household goods or are requiring additional services not identified in the binding estimate, and you and your mover cannot reach an agreement, your mover may refuse to service the shipment. If your mover agrees to service the shipment, your mover must do one of the following three things:

• Reaffirm the binding estimate.
• Negotiate a revised written binding estimate listing the additional household goods or services.
• Add an attachment to the contract, in writing, stating both of you will consider the original binding estimate as a non-binding estimate. You should read more below. This may seriously affect how much you may pay for the entire move.

5. Once your mover loads your shipment, your mover's failure to execute a new binding estimate or to agree with you to treat the original estimate as a non-binding estimate signifies it has reaffirmed the original binding estimate. Your mover may not collect more than the amount of the original binding estimate, except as provided in the next two paragraphs.

6. Your mover may believe additional services are necessary to properly service your shipment after your household goods are in-transit. Your mover must inform you what the additional services are before performing those services. Your mover must allow you at least one hour to determine whether you want the additional services performed. Such additional services include carrying your furniture up additional stairs or using an elevator. If these services do not appear on your mover's estimate, your mover must deliver your shipment and bill you later for the additional services. If you agree to pay for the additional services, your mover must execute a written attachment to be made an integral part of the bill of lading and have you sign the written attachment. This may be done through fax transmissions. You will be billed for the additional services 30 days following the date of delivery.

7. If you add additional services after your household goods are in-transit, you will be billed for the additional services, but will only be expected to pay the full amount of the binding estimate to receive delivery. Thirty days after delivery, your mover must bill you for the balance of any remaining charges. For example, if your binding estimate shows total charges at delivery should be $1,000, but your actual charges at destination are $1,500, your mover must deliver the shipment upon payment of $1,000. The mover must bill you for the remaining $500 after 30 days after delivery.

8. Failure of your mover to relinquish possession of a shipment upon your offer to pay the binding estimate amount constitutes your mover's failure to transport a shipmentwith "reasonable dispatch" and subjects your mover to cargo delay claims pursuant to 49 CFR Part 370.

NON-BINDING ESTIMATES

Your mover is not permitted to charge you for giving a non-binding estimate.

A non-binding estimate is not a bid or contract. Your mover provides it to you to give you a general idea of the cost of the move, but it does not bind your mover to the estimated cost. You should expect the final cost to be more than the estimate. The actual cost will be in accordance with your mover's tariffs. Federal law requires your mover to collect the charges shown in its tariffs, regardless of what your mover writes in its non-binding estimates. This is why it is important to ask for copies of the mover's tariffs before deciding on a mover. The charges contained in mover's tariffs are essentially the same for the same weight shipment moving the same distance. If you obtain differing non-binding estimates from different movers, you must pay only the amount specified in your mover's tariff. Therefore, a non-binding estimate may have no effect on the amount that you will ultimately have to pay.

You must prepare yourself to pay 10 percent more than the estimated amount at the time of delivery. Every collect-on-delivery shipper must have available 110 percent of the estimate at the time of delivery. If you order additional services from your mover after your goods are in transit, the mover will then bill you 30 days after delivery for any remaining charges.

Non-binding estimates must be in writing and clearly describe the shipment and all services provided. Any time a mover provides such an estimate, the amount of the charges estimated must be on the order for service and bill of lading relating to your shipment. When you are given a non-binding estimate, do not sign or accept the order for service or bill of lading unless the amount estimated is entered on each form when prepared by the mover.

Other requirements of non-binding estimates include the following ten elements:

1. Your mover must provide reasonably accurate non-binding estimates based upon the estimated weight of the shipment and services required.

2. Your mover must explain to you that all charges on shipments moved upon non-binding estimates will be those appearing in your mover's tariffs applicable to the transportation. If your mover provides a non-binding estimate of approximate costs, your mover is not bound by such an estimate.

3. Your mover must furnish non-binding estimates without charge and in writing to you.

4. Your mover must retain a copy of each non-binding estimate as an attachment to the bill of lading.

5. Your mover must clearly indicate on the face of a non-binding estimate, the estimate is not binding upon your mover and the charges shown are the approximate charges to be assessed for the services identified in the estimate.

6. Your mover must clearly describe on the face of a non-binding estimate the entire shipment and all services to be provided.

7. If, before loading your shipment, your mover believes you are tendering additional ho usehold goods or are requiring additional services not identified in the non-binding estimate, and you and your mover cannot reach an agreement, your mover may refuse to service the shipment. If your mover agrees to service the shipment, your mover must do one of the following two things:

• Reaffirm the non-binding estimate.
• Negotiate a revised written non-binding estimate listing the additional household goods or services.

9. Your mover may believe additional services are necessary to properly service your shipment after your household goods are in-transit. Your mover must inform you what the additional services are before performing those services. Your mover must allow you at least one hour to determine whether you want the additional services performed. Such additional services include carrying your furniture up additional stairs or using an elevator. If these services do not appear on your mover's estimate, your mover must deliver your shipment and bill you later for the additional services. If you agree to pay for the additional services, your mover must execute a written attachment to be made an integral part of the bill of lading and have you sign the written attachment. This may be done through fax transmissions. You will be billed for the additional services after 30 days after delivery.

10. If you add additional services after your household goods are in-transit, you will be billed for the additional services, but will only be expected to pay no more than 110 percent of the non-binding estimate to receive delivery. Thirty days after delivery, your mover must bill you for the balance of any remaining charges. For example, if your non-binding estimate shows total charges at delivery should be $1,000, but your actual charges at destination are $1,500, your mover must deliver the shipment uponpayment of $1,100. The mover must bill you for the remaining $400 after 30 days after delivery.

If your mover furnishes a non-binding estimate, your mover must enter the estimated charges upon the order for service and upon the bill of lading.

Your mover must retain a record of all estimates of charges for each move performed for at least one year from the date your mover made the estimate.

What payment arrangements must my mover have in place to secure delivery of my household goods shipment?

If your total bill is 110 percent of the non-binding estimate or less, the mover can require payment in full upon delivery. If the bill exceeds 110 percent of the non-binding estimate, your mover must relinquish possession of the shipment at the time of delivery upon payment of 110 percent of the estimated amount. Your mover should have specified its acceptable form of payment on the estimate, order for service, and bill of lading. Your mover's failure to relinquish possession of a shipment after you offer to pay 110 percent of the estimated charges constitutes its failure to transport the shipment with " reasonable dispatch " and subjects your mover to your cargo delay claims under 49 CFR Part 370.

Your mover must bill for the payment of the balance of any remaining charges after 30 days after delivery.

Must my mover write up an order for service?

We require your mover to prepare an order for service on every shipment transported for you. You are entitled to a copy of the order for service when your mover prepares it.

The order for service is not a contract. Should you cancel or delay your move or if you decide not to use the mover, you should promptly cancel the order.

If you or your mover change any agreed dates for pick up or delivery of your shipment, or agree to any change in the non-binding estimate, your mover may prepare a written change to the order for service. The written change must be attached to the order for service.

The order for service must contain the following fifteen elements:

1. Your mover's name and address and the U.S. DOT number assigned to your mover.

2. Your name, address and, if available, your telephone number(s).

3. The name, address, and telephone number of the delivering mover's office or agent located at or nearest to the destination of your shipment.

4. A telephone number where you may contact your mover or its designated agent.

5. One of the following three dates and times:

• The agreed pickup date and agreed delivery date of your move.
• The agreed period(s) of the entire move.
• If your mover is transporting the shipment on a guaranteed service basis, the guaranteed dates or periods of time for pickup, transportation, and delivery. Your mover must enter any penalty or per diem requirements upon the agreement under this item.

6. The names and addresses of any other motor carriers, when known, who will participate in interline transportation of the shipment.

7. The form of payment your mover will honor at delivery. The payment information must be the same that was entered on the estimate.

8. The terms and conditions for payment of the total charges, including notice of any minimum charges.

9. The maximum amount your mover will demand at the time of delivery to obtain possession of the shipment, when transported on a collect-on-delivery basis.

10. The Surface Transportation Board's required released rates valuation statement, and the charges, if any, for optional valuation coverage. The STB's required released rates may be increased annually by your mover based on the Department of Commerce's Cost of Living Adjustment.

11. A complete description of any special or accessorial services ordered and minimum weight or volume charges applicable to the shipment.

12. Any identification or registration number your mover assigns to the shipment.

13. For non-binding estimated charges, your mover's reasonably accurate estimate of the amount of the charges, the method of payment of total charges, and the maximum amount (110 percent of the non-binding estimate) your mover will demand at the time of delivery for you to obtain possession of the shipment.

14. For binding estimated charges, the amount of charges your mover will demand based upon the binding estimate and the terms of payment under the estimate.

15. An indication of whether you request notification of the charges before delivery. You must provide your mover with the telephone number(s) or address(es) where your mover will transmit such communications

You and your mover must sign the order for service. Your mover must provide a dated copy of the order for service to you at the time your mover signs the order. Your mover must provide you the opportunity to rescind the order for service without any penalty for a three-day period after you sign the order for service, if you scheduled the shipment to be loaded more than three days after you sign the order.

Your mover may provide you with blank or incomplete estimates, orders for service, bills of lading, or any other blank or incomplete documents pertaining to the move for informational purposes. However, your mover is forbidden from requiring you to sign any blank or incomplete estimates, orders for service, bills of lading, or any other blank or incomplete documents pertaining to the move.

Before loading your shipment, and upon mutual agreement of both you and your mover, your mover may amend an order for service. Your mover must retain records of an order for service it transported for at least one year from the date your mover wrote the order.

Your mover must inform you if the mover reasonably expects a special or accessorial service is necessary to safely transport a shipment. Your mover must refuse to accept the shipment when your mover reasonably expects a special or accessorial service is necessary to safely transport a shipment and you refuse to purchase the special or accessorial service. Your must make a written note if you refuse any special or accessorial services that your move reasonably expects to be necessary.

Must my mover write up an inventory of the shipment?

Yes. Your mover must prepare an inventory of your shipment before loading. If your mover's driver fails to prepare an inventory, you should write a detailed inventory of your shipment listing any damage or unusual wear to any items. The purpose is to make a record of the existence and condition of each item.

After completing the inventory, you should sign each page and ask the mover's driver to sign each page. Before you sign it, it is important you make sure the inventory lists every item in the shipment and the entries regarding the condition of each item are correct. You have the right to note any disagreement. When your mover delivers the shipment, if an item is missing or damaged, your ability to dispute the items lost or damaged may depend upon your notations.

You should retain a copy of the inventory. Your mover may keep the original if the driver prepared it. If your mover's driver completed an inventory, the mover must attach the complete inventory to the bill of lading as an integral part of the bill of lading.

Must my mover write up a bill of lading?

The bill of lading is the contract between you and the mover. The mover is required by law to prepare a bill of lading for every shipment it transports. The information on a bill of lading is required to be the same information shown on the order for service. The driver who loads your shipment must give you a copy of the bill of lading before loading your furniture and other household goods.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO READ THE BILL OF LADING BEFORE YOU ACCEPT IT. It is your responsibility to understand the bill of lading before you sign it. If you do not agree with something on the bill of lading, do not sign it until you are satisfied it is correct.

The bill of lading requires the mover to provide the service you have requested. You must pay the charges set forth in the bill of lading.

THE BILL OF LADING IS AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT. DO NOT LOSE OR MISPLACE YOUR COPY. Have it available until your shipment is delivered, all charges are paid, and all claims, if any, are settled.

A bill of lading must include the following 14 elements:

1. Your mover's name and address, or the name and address of the motor carrier issuing the bill of lading.

2. The names and addresses of any other motor carriers, when known, who will participate in the transportation of the shipment.

3. The name, address, and telephone number of the office of the motor carrier you must contact in relation to the transportation of the shipment.

4. The form of payment your mover will honor at delivery. The payment information must be the same that was entered on the estimate and order for service.

5. When your mover transports your shipment under a collect-on-delivery basis, your name, address, and telephone number where the mover will notify you about the charges.

6. For non-guaranteed service, the agreed date or period of time for pickup of the shipment and the agreed date or period of time for the delivery of the shipment. The agreed dates or periods for pickup and delivery entered upon the bill of lading must conform to the agreed dates or periods of time for pickup and delivery entered upon the order for service or a proper amendment to the order for service.

7. For guaranteed service, the dates for pickup and delivery and any penalty or per diem entitlements due you under the agreement.

8. The actual date of pickup.

9. The identification number(s) of the vehicle(s) in which your mover loads your shipment.

10. The terms and conditions for payment of the total charges including notice of any minimum charges.

11. The maximum amount your mover will demand from you at the time of delivery for you to obtain possession of your shipment, when your mover transports under a collect-on-delivery basis.

12. The Surface Transportation Board's required released rates valuation statement, and the charges, if any, for optional valuation coverage. The STB's required released rates may be increased annually by your mover based on the Department of Commerce's Cost of Living Adjustment.

13. Evidence of any insurance coverage sold to or procured for you from an independent insurer, including the amount of the premium for such insurance.

14. Each attachment to the bill of lading. Each attachment is an integral part of the bill of lading contract. The following three items must be added as attachments:

• The binding or non-binding estimate.
• The order for service.
• The inventory.

A copy of the bill of lading must accompany your shipment at all times while in the possession of your mover or its agent(s). When your mover loads the shipment upon a vehicle for transportation, the bill of lading must be in the possession of the driver responsible for the shipment. Your mover must retain bills of lading for shipments it transported for at least one year from the date your mover created the bill of lading.

Should I reach an agreement with my mover about pickup and delivery times?

You and your mover should reach an agreement for pickup and delivery times. It is your responsibility to determine on what date, or between what dates, you need to have the shipment picked up and on what date, or between what dates, you require delivery. It is your mover's responsibility to tell you if it can provide service on or between those dates, or, if not, on what other dates it can provide the service.

In the process of reaching an agreement with your mover, you may find it necessary to alter your moving and travel plans if no mover can provide service on the specific dates you desire.

Do not agree to have your shipment picked up or delivered "as soon as possible." The dates or periods you and your mover agree upon should be definite.

Once an agreement is reached, your mover must enter those dates upon the order for service and upon the bill of lading.

Once your goods are loaded, your mover is contractually bound to provide the service described in the bill of lading. Your mover's only defense for not providing the service on the dates called for is the "Defense of Force Majeure." This is a legal term. It means when circumstances change, were not foreseen, and are beyond the control of your mover, preventing your mover from performing the service agreed to in the bill of lading, your mover is not responsible for damages resulting from its non-performance.

This may occur when you do not inform your mover of the exact delivery requirements. For example, because of restrictions trucks must follow in your new city, the mover may not be able to take its truck down the street of your residence and must find helpers to provide long carries to carry your furniture and other household goods down a street where it can drive and park its trucks. Another example would be if your mover is not aware that your new residence is on the third floor, requiring six flight stair carries and workmen that can carry your furniture and household goods up stairs.

Must my mover determine the weight of my shipment?

Generally yes. If your mover transports your household goods on a non-binding estimate under the mover's tariffs based upon weight, your mover must determine the weight of the shipment. If your mover provided a binding estimate and has loaded your shipment without claiming you have added additional items or services, the weight of the shipment will not affect the charges you will pay. If your mover is transporting your shipment based upon the volume of the shipment (i.e., a set number of cubic yards or meters), the weight of the shipment will also not affect the charges you will pay.

Your mover must determine the weight of your shipment before requesting you pay for any charges dependent upon your shipment's weight.

Most movers usually have a minimum weight or volume charge for transporting a shipment. Usually the minimum is the charge for transporting a shipment of at least 3,000 pounds (1,362 kilograms).

If your shipment appears to weigh less than the mover's minimum weight, your mover must advise you on the order for service of the minimum cost before transporting your shipment. Should your mover fail to advise you of the minimum charges and your shipment is less than the minimum weight, your mover must base your final charges upon the actual weight instead of the minimum weight.

How must my mover determine the weight of my shipment?

Your mover must weigh your shipment upon a certified scale.

The weight of your shipment must be obtained by using one of two methods.

ORIGIN WEIGHING - Your mover may weigh your shipment in the city or area where it loads your shipment. If it elects this option, the driver must weigh the truck before coming to your residence. This is called the TARE WEIGHT . At the time of this first weighing, the truck may already be partially loaded with one or more other shipments. This will not affect the weight of your shipment. The truck should also contain the pads, dollies, hand-trucks, ramps, and other equipment normally used in the transportation of household goods shipments.

After loading, the driver will weigh the truck again to obtain the loaded weight, called the GROSS WEIGHT . The net weight of your shipment is then obtained by subtracting the tare weight before loading from the gross weight .

GROSS WEIGHT - TARE WEIGHT BEFORE LOADING = NET WEIGHT

DESTINATION WEIGHING (Also called BACK WEIGHING ) - The mover is also permitted to determine the weight of your shipment at the destination after it delivers your load. The fact your mover weighs your shipment at the destination instead of the origin will not affect the accuracy of the weight of your shipment. THE MOST IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE IS YOUR MOVER WILL NOT DETERMINE THE EXACT CHARGES ON YOUR SHIPMENT BEFORE IT IS UNLOADED .

Destination weighing is done in reverse of origin weighing. After arriving in the city or area where you are moving, the driver will weigh the truck. Your shipment will still be on the truck. Your mover will determine the GROSS WEIGHT before coming to your new residence to unload. After unloading your shipment, the driver will again weigh the truck to obtain the TARE WEIGHT . The net weight of your shipment will then be obtained by subtracting the tare weight after delivery from the gross weight .

GROSS WEIGHT - TARE WEIGHT AFTER DELIVERY= NET WEIGHT

At the time of both weighings, your mover's truck must have installed or loaded all pads, dollies, hand trucks, ramps, and other equipment required in the transportation of your shipment. The driver and other persons must be off the vehicle at the time of both weighings. The fuel tanks on the vehicle must be full at the time of each weighing. In lieu of this requirement, your mover must not add fuel between the two weighings when the tare weighing is the first weighing performed.

Your mover may detach the trailer of a tractor-trailer vehicle combination from the tractor and have the trailer weighed separately at each weighing provided the length of the scale platform is adequate to accommodate and support the entire trailer at one time.

Your mover may use an alternative method to weigh your shipment if it weighs 3,000 pounds or less (1,362 kilograms or less). The only alternative method allowed is weighing the shipment upon a platform or warehouse certified scale before loading your shipment for transportation or after unloading.

Your mover must use the net weight of shipments transported in large containers, such as ocean or railroad containers. Your mover will calculate the difference between the tare weight of the container (including all pads, blocking and bracing used in the transportation of your shipment) and the gross weight of the container with your shipment loaded in the container.

You have the right, and your mover must inform you of your right, to observe all weighings of your shipment. Your mover must tell you where and when each weighing will occur. Your mover must give you a reasonable opportunity to be present to observe the weighings.

You may waive your right to observe any weighing or reweighing. This does not affect any of your other rights you have under Federal law.

Your mover may request you waive your right to have a shipment weighed upon a certified scale. Your mover may want to weigh the shipment upon a trailer's on-board non-certified scale. You should demand your right to have a certified scale used. The use of a non-certified scale may cause you to pay a higher final bill for your move, if the non-certified scale does not accurately weigh your shipment. Remember, certified scales are inspected and approved for accuracy by a government inspection or licensing agency. Non-certified scales are not inspected and approved for accuracy by a government inspection or licensing agency.

Your mover must obtain a separate weight ticket for each weighing. The weigh master must sign each weight ticket. Each weight ticket must contain the following six items:

1. The complete name and location of the scale.

2. The date of each weighing.

3. Identification of the weight entries as being the tare, gross, or net weights.

4. The company or mover identification of the vehicle.

5.Your last name as it appears on the Bill of Lading.

6. Your mover's shipment registration or Bill of Lading number.

Your mover must retain the original weight ticket or tickets relating to the determination of the weight of your shipment as part of its file on your shipment.

When both weighings are performed on the same scale, one weight ticket may be used to record both weighings.

Your mover must present all freight bills with true copies of all weight tickets. If your mover does not present its freight bill with all weight tickets, your mover is in violation of Federal law.

Before the driver actually begins unloading your shipment weighed at origin and after your mover informs you of the billing weight and total charges, you have the right to demand a reweigh of your shipment. If you believe the weight is not accurate, you have the right to request your mover reweigh your shipment before unloading.

You have the right, and your mover must inform you of your right, to observe all reweighings of your shipment. Your mover must tell you where and when each reweighing will occur. Your mover must give you a reasonable opportunity to be present to observe the reweighings.

You may waive your right to observe any reweighing, however, you must waive that right in writing. You may send the written waiver via fax, e-mail, or any other electronic means. This does not affect any of your other rights you have under Federal law.

Your mover is prohibited from charging you for the reweighing. If the weight of your shipment at the time of the reweigh is different from the weight determined at origin, the mover must recompute the charges based upon the reweigh weight.

Before requesting a reweigh, you may find it to your advantage to estimate the weight of your shipment using the following three-step method:

1. Count the number of items in your shipment. Usually there will be either 30 or 40 items listed on each page of the inventory. For example, if there are 30 items per page and your inventory consists of four complete pages and a fifth page with 15 items listed, the total number of items will be 135. If an automobile is listed on the inventory do not include this item in the count of the total items.

2. Subtract the weight of any automobile included in your shipment from the total weight of the shipment. If the automobile was not weighed separately, its weight can be found on its title or license receipt.

3. Divide the number of items in your shipment into the weight. If the average weight resulting from this exercise ranges between 35 and 45 pounds (16 and 20 kilograms) per article, it is unlikely a reweigh will prove beneficial to you and could result in you paying higher charges.

Experience has shown the average shipment of household goods will weigh about 40 pounds (18 kilograms) per item. If a shipment contains a large number of heavy items, such as cartons of books, boxes of tools or heavier than average furniture, the average weight per item may be 45 pounds or more (20 kilograms or more).

What must my mover do if I want to know the actual weight or charges for my shipment before delivery?

If you request notification of the actual weight or volume and charges upon your shipment, your mover must comply with your request when it is moving your goods on a collect-on-delivery basis. This requirement is conditioned upon you supplying your mover with an address or telephone number where you will receive the communication. Your mover must make its notification by telephone, telegram, or in person.

You must receive its notification at least one full 24-hour day before your mover's delivery, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Federal holidays.

Your mover may disregard this 24-hour notification requirement on shipments subject to one of the following three things:

1. Back weigh (when your mover weighs your shipment at its destination).

2. Pickup and delivery encompassing two consecutive weekdays, if you agree.

3. Maximum payment amounts at time of delivery of 110 percent of the estimated charges, if you agree.

Yes, your mover must transport your household goods in a timely manner. This is also known as "reasonable dispatch service." Your mover must provide reasonable dispatch service to you, except for transportation on the basis of guaranteed delivery dates.

When your mover is unable to perform either the pickup or delivery of your shipment on the dates or during the periods of time specified in the order for service, your mover must notify you of the delay by telephone, telegram, or in person, at your mover's expense. As soon as the delay becomes apparent to your mover, it must give you notification it will be unable to provide the service specified in the terms of the order for service.

At the time of your mover's notification of delay, it must advise you of the dates or periods of time it may be able to pickup and/or deliver the shipment. Your mover must consider your needs in its advisement.

Your mover must prepare a written record of the date, time, and manner of its notification. Your mover must prepare a written record of its amended date or period for delivery. Your mover must retain these records as a part of its file on your shipment. The retention period is one year from the date of notification. Your mover must furnish a copy of the notification to you by first class mail or in person if you request a copy of the notice.

Your mover must tender your shipment for delivery upon the agreed delivery date or within the period specified on the bill of lading. Upon your request or concurrence, your mover may deliver your shipment on another day.

The establishment of a delayed pickup or delivery date does not relieve your mover from liability for damages resulting from your mover's failure to provide service as agreed. However, when your mover notifies you of alternate delivery dates, it is your responsibility to be available to accept delivery on the dates specified. If you are not available and are not willing to accept delivery, your mover has the right to place your shipment in storage at your expense or hold the shipment on its truck and assess additional charges.

If after the pickup of your shipment, you request your mover to change the delivery date, most movers will agree to do so providing your request will not result in unreasonable delay to its equipment or interfere with another customer ' s move. However, your mover is under no obligation to consent to amended delivery dates. Your mover has the right to place your shipment in storage at your expense if you are unwilling or unable to accept delivery on the date agreed to in the bill of lading.

If your mover fails to pick up and deliver your shipment on the date entered on the bill of lading and you have expenses you otherwise would not have had, you may be able to recover those expenses from your mover. This is what is called an inconvenience or delay claim. Should your mover refuse to honor such a claim and you continue to believe you are entitled to be paid damages, you may take your mover to court under 49 U.S.C. 14704. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has no authority to order your mover to pay such claims .

While we hope your mover delivers your shipment in a timely manner, you should consider the possibility your shipment may be delayed and find out what payment you can expect if a mover delays service through its own fault before you agree with the mover to transport your shipment.

What must my mover do if it is able to deliver my shipment more than 24 hours before I am able to accept delivery?

At your mover's discretion, it may place your shipment in storage. This will be under its own account and at its own expense in a warehouse located in proximity to the destination of your shipment. Your mover may do this if you fail to request or concur with an early delivery date, and your mover is able to deliver your shipment more than 24 hours before your specified date or the first day of your specified period.

If your mover exercises this option, your mover must immediately notify you of the name and address of the warehouse where your mover places your shipment. Your mover must make and keep a record of its notification as a part of its shipment records. Your mover has full responsibility for the shipment under the terms and conditions of the bill of lading. Your mover is responsible for the charges for redelivery, handling, and storage until it makes final delivery. Your mover may limit its responsibility to the agreed delivery date or the first day of the period of delivery as specified in the bill of lading.

What must my mover do for me when I store household goods in transit?

If you request your mover to hold your household goods in storage-in-transit (SIT) and the storage period of time is about to expire, your mover must notify you, in writing, about the four following items:

1. The date when storage-in-transit will convert to permanent storage.

2. The existence of a nine-month period after the date of conversion to permanent storage when you may file claims against your mover for loss or damage occurring to your goods while in transit or during the storage-in-transit period.

3. Your mover's liability will end.

4. Your property will be subject to the rules, regulations, and charges of the warehouseman.

Your mover must make this notification at least 10 days before the expiration date of one of the following two periods of time:

1. The specified period of time when your mover is to hold your goods in storage.

2. The maximum period of time provided in its tariff for storage-in-transit.

Your mover must notify you by facsimile transmission, overnight courier, e-mail, or certified mail, return receipt requested.

If your mover holds your household goods in storage-in-transit for a period of time less than 10 days, your mover must notify you of the same information specified above one day before the expiration date of the specified time when your goods are to be held in such storage.

Your mover must maintain a record of all notifications to you as part of the records of your shipment. Your mover's failure or refusal to notify you will automatically effect a continuance of your mover's liability according to the applicable tariff provisions with respect to storage-in-transit, until the end of the day following the date when your mover actually gives you notice.

May my mover ask me to sign a delivery receipt releasing it from liability?

At the time of delivery, your mover will expect you to sign a receipt for your shipment. You generally will sign each page of your mover's copy of the inventory.

Your mover's delivery receipt or shipping document must not contain any language purporting to release or discharge it or its agents from liability.

Your mover may include a statement about your receipt of your property in apparent good condition, except as noted on the shipping documents.

DO NOT SIGN the delivery receipt if it contains any language purporting to release or discharge your mover or its agents from liability. Strike out such language before signing or refuse delivery if the driver or mover refuses to provide a proper delivery receipt.

What is the maximum collect-on-delivery amount my mover may demand I pay at the time of delivery?

On a binding estimate, the maximum amount is the exact estimate of the charges. Your mover must specify on the estimate, order for service, and bill of lading the form of payment acceptable to it (e.g., a certified check).

On a non-binding estimate, the maximum amount is 110 percent of the approximate costs. Your mover must specify on the estimate, order for service, and bill of lading the form of payment acceptable to it (e.g., cash).

If my shipment is transported on more than one vehicle, what charges may my mover collect at delivery?

Although all movers try to move each shipment on one truck, it becomes necessary at times to divide a shipment among two or more trucks. This frequently occurs when an automobile is included in the shipment and it is transported on a vehicle specially designed to transport automobiles. When this occurs your transportation charges are the same as if the entire shipment moved on one truck.

If your shipment is divided for transportation on two or more trucks, the mover may require payment for each portion as it is delivered.

Your mover may delay the collection of all the charges until the entire shipment is delivered, at its discretion, not yours. When you order your move, you should ask the mover about its policies in this respect.

If my shipment is partially or totally lost or destroyed, what charges may my mover collect at delivery?

Movers customarily make every effort to not lose, damage, or destroy your items while your shipment is in their possession for transportation. However, despite the precautions taken, articles are sometimes lost or destroyed during the move.

In addition to any money you may recover from your mover to compensate for lost or destroyed articles, you may also recover the transportation charges represented by the portion of the shipment lost or destroyed. Your mover may only apply this paragraph to the transportation of household goods. Your mover may disregard this paragraph if loss or destruction was due to an act or omission by you. Your mover must require you to pay any specific valuation charge due.

For example, if you pack a hazardous material (i.e., gasoline, aerosol cans, motor oil, etc.) and your shipment is partially lost or destroyed by fire in storage or in the mover's trailer, your mover may require you to pay for the full cost of transportation.

Your mover may first collect its freight charges for the entire shipment, if your mover chooses. At the time your mover disposes of claims for loss, damage, or injury to the articles in your shipment, it must refund the portion of its freight charges corresponding to the portion of the lost or destroyed shipment (including any charges for accessorial or terminal services).

Your mover is forbidden from collecting, or requiring you to pay, any freight charges (including any charges for accessorial or terminal services) when your household goods shipment is totally lost or destroyed in transit, unless the loss or destruction was due to an act or omission by you.

How must my mover calculate the charges applicable to the shipment as delivered?

Your mover must multiply the percentage corresponding to the delivered shipment times the total charges applicable to the shipment tendered by you to obtain the total charges it must collect from you.

If your mover's computed charges exceed the charges otherwise applicable to the shipment as delivered, the lesser of those charges must apply. This will apply only to the transportation of your household goods.

Your mover must require you to pay any specific valuation charge due.

Your mover may not refund the freight charges if the loss or destruction was due to an act or omission by you. For example, you fail to disclose to your mover your shipment contains perishable live plants. Your mover may disregard its loss or destruction of your plants, because you failed to inform your mover you were transporting live plants.

Your mover must determine, at its own expense, the proportion of the shipment, based on actual or constructive weight, not lost or destroyed in transit.

Your rights are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights you may have with respect to your shipment of household goods your mover lost or destroyed, or partially lost or destroyed, in transit. This applies whether or not you have exercised your rights provided above.

No, this subpart does not apply to most shipments. Most movers perform COD service subject to the 110 percent rule for non-binding estimates. Read and understand this subpart only if your mover is providing a shipment subject to a binding estimate.

How must my mover present its freight or expense bill to me?

At the time for payment of transportation charges, your mover must give you a freight bill identifying the service provided and the charge for each service. It is customary for most movers to use a copy of the bill of lading as a freight bill; however, some movers use an entirely separate document for this purpose.

Except in those instances where a shipment is moving on a binding estimate, the freight bill must specifically identify each service performed, the rate per unit for each service, and the total charges for each service. If this information is not on the freight bill, DO NOT accept or pay the freight bill .

Movers customarily provide in tariffs the freight charges must be paid in cash, by certified check, or by a cashier's check. When this requirement exists, the mover will not accept personal checks. At the time you order your move, you should ask your mover about the form of payment your mover requires.

Some movers permit payment of freight charges by use of a charge or credit card. However, do not assume your nationally recognized charge, credit, or debit card will be acceptable for payment. Ask your mover at the time you request an estimate. Your mover must specify the form of payment it will accept at delivery.

If you do not pay the transportation charges at the time of delivery, your mover has the right, under the bill of lading, to refuse to deliver your goods. The mover may place them in storage, at your expense, until the charges are paid. However, the mover must deliver your goods upon payment of 100 percent of a binding estimate.

If, before payment of the transportation charges, you discover an error in the charges, you should attempt to correct the error with the driver, the mover ' s local agent, or by contacting the mover's main office. If an error is discovered after payment, you should write the mover (the address will be on the freight bill) explaining the error and request a refund.

Movers customarily check all shipment files and freight bills after a move has been completed to make sure the charges were accurate. If an overcharge is found, you should be