CMC Rate Tariff & Accessorial Charges 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which document must an interstate moving carrier provide to a shipper that discloses all rates, rules, and charges before the move?
- Bill of lading
- Household Goods Descriptive Inventory
- Tariff or rate quote in writing (Correct answer)
- Order for service
Correct answer: Tariff or rate quote in writing
FMCSA requires interstate carriers to provide a written rate quote disclosing all applicable rates, rules, and accessorial charges before the move.
Question 2: A carrier's tariff specifies a 'spread' or 'delivery spread' of 7 days. What does this mean for the customer?
- The carrier has a 7-day window in which delivery may occur without penalty (Correct answer)
- The shipment will be divided and delivered in 7 separate loads
- The customer has 7 days to pay after delivery
- The carrier will spread the weight across 7 axles for heavy shipments
Correct answer: The carrier has a 7-day window in which delivery may occur without penalty
A delivery spread is the range of dates within which the carrier commits to delivering the shipment, and no delay charges apply if delivery falls within this window.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a 'fuel surcharge' in moving tariffs?
- To penalize customers who schedule moves during peak season
- To offset the carrier's fluctuating fuel costs beyond those built into the base rate (Correct answer)
- To cover the cost of maintaining the moving truck's engine
- To fund FMCSA regulatory compliance programs
Correct answer: To offset the carrier's fluctuating fuel costs beyond those built into the base rate
A fuel surcharge is a variable add-on charge that allows carriers to recover diesel fuel costs that exceed levels assumed in the base tariff rate.
Question 4: Under FMCSA rules, how soon after delivery must a carrier relinquish a shipment if the customer pays the binding estimate amount, even if the carrier believes additional charges are owed?
- Immediately upon payment of the binding estimate (Correct answer)
- Within 15 business days after the customer pays
- Only after both parties sign an addendum
- After an FMCSA arbitration ruling
Correct answer: Immediately upon payment of the binding estimate
A carrier must release a shipment immediately upon payment of the binding estimate; it cannot hold goods hostage for disputed extra charges.
Question 5: A shipment requires a 'piano carry' up three flights of stairs. Which tariff classification best describes this service?
- Accessorial service for special article handling (Correct answer)
- Standard residential delivery included in the base rate
- Hazardous materials surcharge
- Oversize freight classification
Correct answer: Accessorial service for special article handling
Carrying a piano, safe, or other specialty item up stairs is an accessorial charge for special article handling beyond standard service.
Question 6: What does 'constructive transit time' mean in the context of storage-in-transit charges?
- The time the shipment is theoretically 'in transit' for billing purposes while actually in storage (Correct answer)
- The estimated drive time between origin and destination cities
- The time allowed for the shipper to inspect goods before accepting delivery
- The period during which the carrier constructs packing materials
Correct answer: The time the shipment is theoretically 'in transit' for billing purposes while actually in storage
Constructive transit time refers to the period SIT goods are treated as being 'in transit' for rate purposes, even though the vehicle is stationary.
Question 7: Which factor does NOT typically affect the calculation of an interstate moving rate under weight-based tariffs?
- Actual or constructive weight of the shipment
- Mileage between origin and destination
- The shipper's credit score (Correct answer)
- Applicable accessorial services requested
Correct answer: The shipper's credit score
Interstate moving rates are based on weight, distance, and accessorial services — a shipper's credit score has no bearing on the transportation rate.
CMC Rate Tariff & Accessorial Charges 3
Which document must an interstate moving carrier provide to a shipper that discloses all rates, rules, and charges before the move?