GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 18, 2026
Carrier Filing
To make their rates and conditions of carriage legally enforceable against shippers and forwarders, carriers formally submit their tariffs, freight rates, and service terms to a regulatory authority or industry body—a process known as carrier filing.
Quick Answer
Last updated: Published:
Source: https://www.fmc.gov
Category
Logistics concept
Reading time
1 min
Words
111
Mentioned in
–
Definition & Explanation
To make their rates and conditions of carriage legally enforceable against shippers and forwarders, carriers formally submit their tariffs, freight rates, and service terms to a regulatory authority or industry body—a process known as carrier filing. In maritime transport, the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is the primary filing authority; in international air freight, IATA fulfils a comparable role. Filed tariffs become publicly available, ensuring market transparency and preventing discriminatory pricing. A tariff that has not been properly filed lacks legal standing and cannot be enforced in a dispute. Carrier filing differs from a private contract rate in that it applies uniformly to all eligible shippers, not just a single counterparty.
Next steps
Matching tools and partners
Related Terms
You might also be interested in these terms
Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox
Free · No password · Never a paywall. Weekly top news and facts from logistics.
Community Questions & Answers
Share your knowledge, ask follow-up questions, or add practical insights to this page. Every contribution is moderated before publication.
No community answers yet. Be the first.