Moving Company Tariff Publications: Federal Price List Requirements

What Is a Moving Company Tariff?

A tariff is your mover's complete, published price list. Every interstate moving company operating under FMCSA authority must file and maintain one. It's not marketing material—it's a legal document that lists every service, every charge, and every fee the company can legally collect from you.

Under 49 CFR §375.501, interstate movers must publish their tariffs and make them available for public inspection. That means if a charge appears on your final bill, it must appear in the tariff first. If it's not in the tariff, they can't legally charge you for it.

Most consumers never see these documents. Movers don't advertise them. But knowing they exist—and how to use them—gives you leverage when fighting hostage load situations or disputing surprise fees.

Why Federal Law Requires Published Tariffs

The tariff requirement exists to prevent exactly what happens to thousands of people every year: a mover quotes $3,000, then demands $6,500 at delivery with vague line items like "long carry" or "shuttle service."

Before deregulation in the 1980s, all interstate movers filed tariffs with the Interstate Commerce Commission. Today, movers file with FMCSA or publish them independently, but the principle remains: transparency through disclosure.

49 CFR §375.505 requires that tariffs include:

• All rates and charges for transportation and accessorial services
• Rules governing application of those rates
• Classification of items by weight
• Pickup and delivery service areas
• Storage-in-transit provisions
• Valuation coverage options

If your non-binding estimate says $4,200 but the tariff shows a minimum charge of $5,000 for your weight and distance, the tariff wins. That's why you need to see it before you sign anything.

How to Request a Mover's Tariff

You have an absolute right to inspect the tariff. Under 49 CFR §375.501(b), movers must provide a copy upon request—either a physical copy or electronic access.

Here's how to ask:

Send an email to the moving company with this exact language: "Under 49 CFR §375.501, I request a complete copy of your published tariff, including all rates, rules, and accessorial charges applicable to interstate household goods transportation. Please provide this within 48 hours."

Most legitimate movers will comply. If they refuse, stall, or claim they "don't have one," that's a red flag. Every licensed interstate carrier must have a tariff on file. Refusal to provide it suggests the company operates outside FMCSA regulations—or plans to charge you fees that aren't legally published.

You can also check FMCSA's database at fmcsa.dot.gov to verify the company's USDOT number and MC number. Legitimate interstate movers will have both.

What You'll Find in a Tariff Document

Tariffs run 30 to 100+ pages. They're dense, bureaucratic, and written in regulatory language. But three sections matter most:

Section 1: Base Transportation Rates
This shows the cost per 100 pounds (CWT) for your distance bracket. For example, moving 7,000 pounds from California to Texas (1,400 miles) might cost $62 per CWT, totaling $4,340 base charge.

Section 2: Accessorial Services
These are add-on fees: packing, long carry (more than 75 feet from truck to door), stair carry, elevator fees, shuttle service (when a full-size truck can't access your street), and appliance servicing. Each service must list a specific rate—"$150 per flight of stairs" or "$1.50 per pound for full packing."

Section 3: Valuation and Liability
This explains your coverage options. Basic liability is 60 cents per pound per item. Full-value protection costs extra and must be priced in the tariff. If a mover quotes $500 for full-value coverage but the tariff shows $800, they must charge the tariff rate.

Using the Tariff to Challenge Unauthorized Charges

Here's where tariffs become your weapon. Let's say your mover adds a $600 "long carry" fee at delivery. You pull out the tariff. It defines long carry as "distance exceeding 75 feet from truck parking to dwelling entrance" and prices it at "$75 per 1,000 pounds."

Your shipment weighs 5,000 pounds. The legal charge is $375, not $600. You show the driver the tariff section. Most will adjust the bill on the spot. If they refuse, you have documentation for a FMCSA complaint and a small claims case.

Another example: A mover charges $400 for "shuttle service" because their truck couldn't fit down your street. The tariff shows shuttle fees only apply when the customer fails to disclose access restrictions during the estimate. You disclosed it in writing. The charge is invalid.

Document everything. Take photos of the tariff pages. Save emails. Get the driver's signature on the bill of lading showing the disputed charge. This creates a paper trail for enforcement.

What Happens When Charges Aren't in the Tariff

If a fee doesn't appear in the published tariff, it's an illegal charge under 49 CFR §375.507. Period. The mover cannot collect it, even if you agreed to it verbally or it's on the estimate.

Common illegal charges include:

• "Fuel surcharges" not specified in the tariff
• "Administrative fees" or "processing fees" with no tariff basis
• Charges for services performed without your written authorization
• Rates that exceed the published tariff amount

If you're facing an illegal charge and the mover won't release your belongings, you're in a hostage load situation. Under 49 CFR §375.901, you can file an emergency complaint with FMCSA. In many states, holding goods for ransom is a criminal offense.

Pay under protest if you must get your belongings. Write "PAID UNDER PROTEST – DISPUTED CHARGES" on the bill of lading. Then file a claim with the mover within nine months (49 CFR §375.409) and a complaint with FMCSA.

Tariffs vs. Estimates: Which Governs?

The tariff always wins. Your estimate is a projection based on the information you provided. The tariff is the legal contract.

If you get a binding estimate for $5,000 but the tariff shows your actual weight and distance should cost $4,200, you pay $5,000—the binding estimate protects you from increases, not decreases. If you get a non-binding estimate for $4,000 but the tariff shows $5,500, you pay $5,500.

That's why reviewing the tariff before signing is critical. The estimate is marketing. The tariff is law.

How to Compare Tariffs Between Movers

When vetting companies through our directory, request tariffs from at least three movers. Compare:

• Base rates per CWT: A $5 difference per 100 pounds means $350 more on a 7,000-pound move.
• Minimum charges: Some tariffs show a $2,000 minimum regardless of weight.
• Accessorial fees: One mover charges $100 per flight of stairs; another charges $2 per step. The math adds up fast.
• Packing rates: Full packing can range from $1.20 to $2.50 per pound depending on the tariff.

Don't just compare estimates. Compare the governing documents. A mover offering a $3,800 estimate with a tariff showing $62/CWT is more trustworthy than one offering $3,200 with a tariff showing $58/CWT—because the second company's estimate doesn't align with their legal rates. That's a setup for surprise charges.

State-Specific Tariff Rules

Tariff requirements apply to interstate moves (crossing state lines). Intrastate moves—say, within California or within Texas—fall under state regulation. Many states have similar disclosure requirements, but enforcement varies.

In California, the Bureau of Household Goods and Services requires movers to provide a tariff or price list before service. In Florida, movers must file tariffs with the state. In New York, tariffs must be available at the mover's office.

If your move is entirely within one state, check your state's Public Utilities Commission or Department of Transportation website for local rules. The principle remains the same: published rates prevent fraud.

Red Flags: When Tariffs Reveal Problem Movers

A legitimate tariff is detailed, specific, and boring. Red flags include:

• Vague language: "Additional fees may apply" without specifying amounts.
• Missing sections: No accessorial charges listed, or no valuation options.
• Handwritten changes: Tariffs should be typed, professional documents.
• No effective date: Tariffs must show when rates took effect.
• Refusal to provide: Any hesitation to share the tariff is disqualifying.

If a mover's tariff looks sketchy or incomplete, walk away. Find a company through our vetted directory instead.

Enforcement: What Happens When Movers Violate Tariff Rules

FMCSA can fine movers up to $16,000 per violation for failing to publish tariffs, charging rates not in the tariff, or refusing to provide tariff access. Repeat offenders lose their operating authority.

But enforcement is complaint-driven. FMCSA doesn't audit movers proactively. If you don't report a violation, nothing happens. That's why filing a complaint matters—not just for your refund, but to create a record that protects future customers.

File at fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move. Include your tariff documentation, the bill of lading, and any communication showing the mover charged fees not in the tariff. FMCSA investigates, and if the violation is clear, they'll pressure the mover to refund you and issue a citation.

You can also sue in small claims court. Bring the tariff, the bill, and photos of your weight tickets. Judges understand "they charged me $800 for something their own price list says costs $400." You'll likely win.

How to Store and Reference Your Tariff

Once you receive the tariff, save it in three places: email, cloud storage, and a printed copy in your moving binder. Highlight the sections relevant to your move—your weight bracket, your distance, and any accessorial services you'll need.

On moving day, keep a printed copy in your car. If the driver tries to add fees at delivery, pull it out. Most drivers aren't trying to scam you—they're following dispatch instructions. Showing them the tariff often resolves disputes immediately.

If it doesn't, refuse to sign the bill of lading until the charges match the tariff. The driver can't legally leave your belongings on the curb without your signature. You have leverage. Use it.

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