[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 5]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 49CFR375.401]



[Page 92]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 375_TRANSPORTATION OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE; 

CONSUMER PROTECTION REGULATIONS--Table of Contents

 

                      Subpart D_Estimating Charges

 

Sec. 375.401  Must I estimate charges?





    (a) Before you execute an order for service for a shipment of 

household goods for an individual shipper, you must estimate the total 

charges in writing. The written estimate must be one of the following 

two types:

    (1) A binding estimate, an agreement made in advance with your 

individual shipper. It guarantees the total cost of the move based upon 

the quantities and services shown on your estimate.

    (2) A non-binding estimate, what you believe the total cost will be 

for the move, based upon the estimated weight or volume of the shipment 

and the accessorial services requested. A non-binding estimate is not 

binding on you. You will base the final charges upon the actual weight 

of the individual shipper's shipment and the tariff provisions in 

effect.

    (b) You must specify the form of payment you and your agent will 

honor at delivery. Payment forms may include, but are not limited to, 

cash, a certified check, a money order, a cashier s check, a specific 

charge card such as American ExpressTM, a specific credit 

card such as VisaTM, or your credit as allowed by Sec. 

375.807.

    (c) For non-binding estimates, you must provide your reasonably 

accurate estimate of the approximate costs the individual shipper should 

expect to pay for the transportation and services of such shipments. If 

you provide an inaccurately low estimate, you may be limiting the amount 

you will collect at the time of delivery as provided in Sec. 375.407.

    (d) If you provide a shipper with an estimate based on volume that 

will later be converted to a weight-based rate, you must provide the 

shipper an explanation in writing of the formula used to calculate the 

conversion to weight. You must specify the final charges will be based 

on actual weight and services subject to the 110 percent rule at 

delivery.

    (e) You must determine charges for any accessorial services such as 

elevators, long carries, etc., before preparing the order for service 

and the bill of lading for binding or non-binding estimates. If you fail 

to ask the shipper about such charges and fail to determine such charges 

before preparing the order for service and the bill of lading, you must 

deliver the goods and bill the shipper after 30 days for the additional 

charges.

    (f) You and the individual shipper must sign the estimate of 

charges. You must provide a dated copy of the estimate of charges to the 

individual shipper at the time you sign the estimate.

    (g) Before loading a household goods shipment, and upon mutual 

agreement of both you and the individual shipper, you may amend an 

estimate of charges. You may not amend the estimate after loading the 

shipment.