---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 15905"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "15905"
heading: "Limitation on actions by and against pipeline carriers"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/15905"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Interstate Transportation"
  - "Part C — Pipeline Carriers"
  - "Chapter 159 — Enforcement: Investigations, Rights, and Remedies"
---

# §15905. Limitation on actions by and against pipeline carriers

- (a) **In General.—** A [pipeline carrier](/usc/49/15102.md?p=2) providing [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or service subject to this part must begin a civil action to recover charges for [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or service provided by the [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) within 3 years after the claim accrues.
- (b) **Overcharges.—** A [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18) must begin a civil action to recover overcharges under [section 15904(b)(1)](/usc/49/15904.md?p=b-1) within 3 years after the claim accrues. If an election to file a complaint with the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) is made under [section 15904(c)(1)](/usc/49/15904.md?p=c-1), the complaint must be filed within 3 years after the claim accrues.
- (c) **Damages.—** A [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18) must file a complaint with the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) to recover damages under [section 15904(b)(2)](/usc/49/15904.md?p=b-2) within 2 years after the claim accrues.
- (d) **Extensions.—** The limitation periods under [subsection (b)](#b) are extended for 6 months from the time written notice is given to the claimant by the [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) of disallowance of any part of the claim specified in the notice if a written claim is given to the [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) within those limitation periods. The limitation periods under [subsection (b)](#b) and the 2-year period under [subsection (c)](#c) are extended for 90 days from the time the [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) begins a civil action under [subsection (a)](#a) to recover charges related to the same [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or service, or collects (without beginning a civil action under that subsection) the charge for that [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or service if that action is begun or collection is made within the appropriate period.
- (e) **Payment.—** A [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18) must begin a civil action to enforce an order of the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) against a [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) for the payment of money within one year after the date the order required the money to be paid.
- (f) **Government Transportation.—** This section applies to [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) for the [United States](/usc/49/10102.md?p=10) Government. The time limitations under this section are extended, as related to [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) for or on behalf of the [United States](/usc/49/10102.md?p=10) Government, for 3 years from the date of—
  - (1) payment of the [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7) for the [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or service involved,
  - (2) subsequent refund for overpayment of that [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7), or
  - (3) deduction made under [section 3726 of title 31](/usc/31/3726.md),

  whichever is later.

- (g) **Accrual Date.—** A claim related to a shipment of property accrues under this section on delivery or tender of delivery by the [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title I, § 106(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 928.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 11706 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.