---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 13702"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "13702"
heading: "Tariff requirement for certain transportation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/13702"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Interstate Transportation"
  - "Part B — Motor Carriers, Water Carriers, Brokers, and Freight Forwarders"
  - "Chapter 137 — Rates and Through Routes"
---

# §13702. Tariff requirement for certain transportation

- (a) **In General.—** Except when providing [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) for charitable purposes without charge, a [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) subject to jurisdiction under [chapter 135](/usc/49/chstIV/ptB/ch135.md) may provide [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or service that is—
  - (1) in [noncontiguous domestic trade](/usc/49/13102.md?p=17), except with regard to bulk cargo, forest products, recycled metal scrap, waste paper, and paper waste; or
  - (2) for movement of [household goods](/usc/49/13102.md?p=10);

  only if the [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7) for such [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or service is contained in a tariff that is in effect under this section. The [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) may not charge or receive a different compensation for the [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or service than the [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7) specified in the tariff, whether by returning a part of that [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7) to a [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18), giving a [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18) a privilege, allowing the use of a facility that affects the value of that [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or service, or another device. A [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7) contained in a tariff shall be stated in money of the [United States](/usc/49/10102.md?p=10).

- (b) **Tariff Requirements for Noncontiguous Domestic Trade.—**
  - (1) **Filing.—** A [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) providing [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or service described in [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) shall publish and file with the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) tariffs containing the [rates](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7) established for such [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or service. The [carriers](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) shall keep such tariffs available for public inspection. The [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) shall prescribe the form and manner of publishing, filing, and keeping tariffs available for public inspection under this subsection.
  - (2) **Contents.—** The [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) may prescribe any specific information and charges to be identified in a tariff, but at a minimum tariffs must identify plainly—
    - (A) the [carriers](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) that are parties to it;
    - (B) the places between which property will be transported;
    - (C) terminal charges if a [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) provides [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or service subject to jurisdiction under subchapter III of [chapter 135](/usc/49/chstIV/ptB/ch135.md);
    - (D) privileges given and facilities allowed; and
    - (E) any rules that change, affect, or determine any part of the published [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7).
  - (3) **Inland divisions.—** A [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) providing [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or service described in [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) under a joint [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7) for a through movement shall not be required to [state](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) separately or otherwise reveal in tariff filings the inland divisions of that through [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7).
  - (4) **Time-volume rates.—** [Rates](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7) in tariffs filed under this subsection may vary with the volume of cargo offered over a specified period of time.
  - (5) **Changes.—** The [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) may permit [carriers](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) to change [rates](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7), classifications, rules, and practices without filing complete tariffs under this subsection that cover matter that is not being changed when the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) finds that action to be consistent with the public interest. Those [carriers](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) may either—
    - (A) publish new tariffs that incorporate changes, or
    - (B) plainly indicate the proposed changes in the tariffs then in effect and make the tariffs as changed available for public inspection.
  - (6) **Complaints.—** A complaint that a [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7) or related rule or practice maintained in a tariff under this subsection violates [section 13701(a)](/usc/49/13701.md?p=a) may be submitted to the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) for resolution.
- (c) **Tariff Requirements for Household Goods Carriers.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** A [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) providing [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) described in [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2) shall maintain [rates](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7) and related rules and practices in a published tariff. The tariff must be available for inspection by the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) and be made available for inspection by shippers upon reasonable request.
  - (2) **Notice of availability.—** A [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) that maintains a tariff under this subsection may not enforce the provisions of the tariff unless the [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) 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.
  - (3) **Requirements.—** A [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) that maintains a tariff under this subsection is bound by the tariff except as otherwise provided in this part. A tariff that does not comply with this subsection may not be enforced against any [individual shipper](/usc/49/13102.md?p=13).
  - (4) **Incorporation by reference.—** A [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) may incorporate by reference the [rates](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7), terms, and other conditions of a tariff in agreements covering the [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) of [household goods](/usc/49/13102.md?p=10).
  - (5) **Complaints.—** A complaint that a [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7) or related rule or practice maintained in a tariff under this subsection violates [section 13701(a)](/usc/49/13701.md?p=a) may be submitted to the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) for resolution.
- (d) **Invalidation.—** The [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) may invalidate a tariff prepared by a [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) or [carriers](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) under this section if that tariff violates this section or a regulation of the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) carrying out this section.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title I, § 103, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 868.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 10761 and 10762 of this title prior to the general amendment of this subtitle by Pub. L. 104–88, § 102(a).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 104–88, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of this title.