---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 5902"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "5902"
heading: "Notifications and certifications"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/5902"
units:
  - "Subtitle III — General and Intermodal Programs"
  - "Chapter 59 — Intermodal Safe Container Transportation"
---

# §5902. Notifications and certifications

- (a) **Prior Notification.—** If the [first carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=5) to which any loaded container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) having a projected [gross cargo weight](/usc/49/5901.md?p=6) of more than 29,000 pounds is tendered for [intermodal transportation](/usc/49/5901.md?p=7) is a motor [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3), the person tendering the container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) shall give the motor [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3) a notification of the [gross cargo weight](/usc/49/5901.md?p=6) and a reasonable description of the contents of the container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) before the tendering of the container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8). The notification may be transmitted electronically or by telephone. This subsection applies to any person within the [United States](/usc/49/5102.md?p=14) who tenders a container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) subject to this chapter for [intermodal transportation](/usc/49/5901.md?p=7) if the [first carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=5) is a motor [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3).
- (b) **Certification.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** A person who tenders a loaded container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) with an actual [gross cargo weight](/usc/49/5901.md?p=6) of more than 29,000 pounds to a [first carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=5) for [intermodal transportation](/usc/49/5901.md?p=7) shall provide a certification of the contents of the container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) in writing, or electronically, before or when the container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) is so tendered.
  - (2) **Contents of certification.—** The certification required by [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall include—
    - (A) the actual [gross cargo weight](/usc/49/5901.md?p=6);
    - (B) a reasonable description of the contents of the container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8);
    - (C) the identity of the certifying party;
    - (D) the container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) number; and
    - (E) the date of certification or transfer of data to another document, as provided for in [paragraph (3)](#b-3).
  - (3) **Transfer of certification data.—** A [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3) who receives a certification may transfer the information contained in the certification to another document or to electronic format for forwarding to a subsequent [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3). The person transferring the information shall [state](/usc/49/5102.md?p=12) on the forwarded document the date on which the data was transferred and the identity of the party who performed the transfer.
  - (4) **Shipping documents.—** For purposes of this chapter, a shipping document, prepared by the person who tenders a container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) to a [first carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=5), that contains the information required by [paragraph (2)](#b-2) meets the requirements of [paragraph (1)](#b-1).
  - (5) **Use of “freight all kinds” term.—** The term “Freight All Kinds” or “FAK” may not be used for the purpose of certification under [section 5902(b)](#b) after December 31, 2000, as a commodity description for a [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) or container if the weight of any commodity in the [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) or container equals or exceeds 20 percent of the total weight of the contents of the [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) or container. This subsection does not prohibit the use of the term after that date for rating purposes.
  - (6) **Separate document marking.—** If a separate document is used to meet the requirements of [paragraph (1)](#b-1), it shall be conspicuously marked “INTERMODAL CERTIFICATION”.
  - (7) **Applicability.—** This subsection applies to any person, domestic or foreign, who first tenders a container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) subject to this chapter for [intermodal transportation](/usc/49/5901.md?p=7) within the [United States](/usc/49/5102.md?p=14).
- (c) **Forwarding Certifications to Subsequent Carriers.—** A [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3), agent of a [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3), broker, customs broker, freight forwarder, warehouser, or terminal operator shall forward the certification provided under [subsection (b)](#b) of this section to a subsequent [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3) transporting the container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) in [intermodal transportation](/usc/49/5901.md?p=7) before or when the loaded intermodal container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) is tendered to the subsequent [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3). If no certification is received by the subsequent [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3) before or when the container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) is tendered to it, the subsequent [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3) may presume that no certification is required. The act of forwarding the certification may not be construed as a verification or affirmation of the accuracy or completeness of the information in the certification. If a person inaccurately transfers the information on the certification, or fails to forward the certification to a subsequent [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3), then that person is liable to any person who incurs any bond, fine, penalty, cost (including storage), or interest for any such fine, penalty, cost (including storage), or interest incurred as a result of the inaccurate transfer of information or failure to forward the certification. A subsequent [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3) who incurs a bond, fine, penalty, or cost (including storage), or interest as a result of the inaccurate transfer of the information, or the failure to forward the certification, shall have a lien against the contents of the container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) under [section 5905](/usc/49/5905.md) in the amount of the bond, fine, penalty, or cost (including storage), or interest and all court costs and legal fees incurred by the [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3) as a result of such inaccurate transfer or failure.
- (d) **Liability to Owner or Beneficial Owner.—** If—
  - (1) a person inaccurately transfers information on a certification required by [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1), or fails to forward a certification to the subsequent [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3);
  - (2) as a result of the inaccurate transfer of such information or a failure to forward a certification, the subsequent [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3) incurs a bond, fine, penalty, or cost (including storage), or interest; and
  - (3) that subsequent [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3) exercises its rights to a lien under [section 5905](/usc/49/5905.md),

  then that person is liable to the owner or [beneficial owner](/usc/49/5901.md?p=2), or to any other person paying the amount of the lien to the subsequent [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3), for the amount of the lien and all costs related to the imposition of the lien, including court costs and legal fees incurred in connection with it.

- (e) **Nonapplication.—**
  - (1) The notification and certification requirements of subsections [(a)](#a) and [(b)](#b) of this section do not apply to any intermodal container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) containing consolidated shipments loaded by a motor [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3) if that motor [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3)—
    - (A) performs the highway portion of the intermodal movement; or
    - (B) assumes the responsibility for any weight-related fine or penalty incurred by any other motor [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3) that performs a part of the highway transportation.
  - (2) Subsections [(a)](#a) and [(b)](#b) of this section and [section 5903(c) of this title](/usc/49/5903.md?p=c) do not apply to a [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3) when the [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3) is transferring a loaded container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) to another [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3) during [intermodal transportation](/usc/49/5901.md?p=7), unless the [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3) is also the person tendering the loaded container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) to the [first carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=5).
  - (3) A [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3), agent of a [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3), broker, customs broker, freight forwarder, warehouser, or terminal operator is deemed not to be a person tendering a loaded container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8) to a [first carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=5) under this section, unless the [carrier](/usc/49/5901.md?p=3), agent, broker, customs broker, freight forwarder, warehouser, or terminal operator assumes legal responsibility for loading property into the container or [trailer](/usc/49/5901.md?p=8).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 860; Pub. L. 104–291, title II, § 204, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3453.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 5902(a) | 49:508(a)(1). |  |
| 5902(b) | 49:508(a)(2). |  |
| 5902(c) | 49:508(b). |  |
| 5902(d)(1) | 49:508(e). |  |
| 5902(d)(2) | 49:508(a)(4). |  |

In subsection (c), the words “shall forward” are substituted for “It shall be a violation of this section for . . . to fail to forward” for clarity. The words “may not be construed as” are substituted for “shall not constitute, or in any way be construed as” to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (d)(2), the words “is deemed not to be” are substituted for “shall not be considered to be” for consistency in the revised title.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–291, § 204(a)(4), (5), substituted “electronically or by telephone. This subsection applies to any person within the United States who tenders a container or trailer subject to this chapter for intermodal transportation if the first carrier is a motor carrier.” for “electronically.”

Pub. L. 104–291, § 204(a)(3), inserted “before the tendering of the container or trailer” after “contents of the container or trailer”.

Pub. L. 104–291, § 204(a)(2), substituted “29,000 pounds is tendered for intermodal transportation is a motor carrier, the person tendering the container or trailer shall give the motor carrier a” for “10,000 pounds (including packing material and pallets), the person shall give the carrier a written”.

Pub. L. 104–291, § 204(a)(1), substituted “If the first carrier to which any” for “Before a person tenders to a first carrier for intermodal transportation a”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–291, § 204(b), reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Not later than when a person tenders to a first carrier for intermodal transportation a container or trailer to which subsection (a) of this section applies or a loaded container or trailer having an actual gross cargo weight of more than 10,000 pounds (including packing material and pallets), the person shall certify to the carrier in writing the actual gross cargo weight and a reasonable description of the contents of the container or trailer.”

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–291, § 204(c)(2), inserted at end “If a person inaccurately transfers the information on the certification, or fails to forward the certification to a subsequent carrier, then that person is liable to any person who incurs any bond, fine, penalty, cost (including storage), or interest for any such fine, penalty, cost (including storage), or interest incurred as a result of the inaccurate transfer of information or failure to forward the certification. A subsequent carrier who incurs a bond, fine, penalty, or cost (including storage), or interest as a result of the inaccurate transfer of the information, or the failure to forward the certification, shall have a lien against the contents of the container or trailer under section 5905 in the amount of the bond, fine, penalty, or cost (including storage), or interest and all court costs and legal fees incurred by the carrier as a result of such inaccurate transfer or failure.”

Pub. L. 104–291, § 204(c)(1), substituted “transportation before or when the loaded intermodal container or trailer is tendered to the subsequent carrier. If no certification is received by the subsequent carrier before or when the container or trailer is tendered to it, the subsequent carrier may presume that no certification is required.” for “transportation.”

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–291, § 204(d), added subsec. (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104–291, § 204(d), (e), redesignated subsec. (d) as (e), added par. (1), redesignated former pars. (1) and (2) as (2) and (3), respectively, and adjusted margin of par. (2).