ARE INTERSTATE MOVERS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN PUBLISHED RATES/TARIFFS?
A. Yes. Interstate movers have a statutory obligation to maintain rates and related rules and practices in a published tariff (Section 13702, Title 49, U.S. Code). A tariff is a publication which contains the movers rules, charges, services, and has the effect of law, although it is not filed with the federal government. The tariff must be available for inspection by shippers upon reasonable request. A mover which maintains a tariff under this subsection may not enforce the provisions of the tariff unless it has given notice that the tariff is available for inspection in its bill of lading or by other actual notice to individuals whose shipments are subject to the tariff. (Section 14903, Title 49, U.S. Code states the civil penalty for tariff violations, which can range from $100,000 for each violation to fine or imprisonment for not more than 2 years , or both.
