Shipper Broker Agreement

The new FMCSA rules for household goods brokers, which become effective January 28, 2011, contain two changes in the consumer protection regulations governing household goods motor carriers:

The FMCSA mandate to furnish the publications ‘‘Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” and ‘‘Ready to Move?” can now be met by providing a hyperlink on the carrier’s Web site to the publications on the FMCSA Web site--provided the carrier includes a specified statement in the estimate and obtains a signed, dated, electronic or paper receipt verifying the shipper’s agreement to such access. Household goods carriers may want to consider revising their shipment documentation forms to take advantage of this new flexibility. 

Broker carrier agreements for consumer household goods shipments will be required to contain specified provisions such as the carrier’s commitment to honor the “110%” rule. The agreement will be “public information” and must be made available upon reasonable request by a “member of the public.” Household goods motor carriers who have existing agreements with brokers should review those agreements to ensure they will be in compliance by the effective date.