Bonding Company - Non Payment

Jim L

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Mar 2, 2009
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I have just come across the oddest situation and was wondering if anyone else has ever stumbled over a similar situation.

I have just been informed that a company was going bankrupt so I contacted their bond provider to make a claim for the freight on their bond. The freight was produce and I was told that produce is excepted from FMCSA rules and therefore not eligible for making a claim on a brokers bond. I was sited the following:

Further to our review of the “Carriers Claim Application” accepted for filing, we regret to inform you that the movement(s) which occasioned the debt you’ve alleged fall(s) within the criteria for one or some combination of the following regulatory exemption:

specific commodity exemption (49 USC 13506(a) (6)), produce,

such that the transportation your carrier has performed was not subject to economic (as opposed to safety) regulation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and accordingly falls outside the range of activity allowing you to seek reimbursement as a third party beneficiary of the trust governed by the referenced broker’s BMC-85.


Low and behold I read that particular statute and see that hauling produce exempts me from FMCSA rules.

What do any of you have to say about this 'exception' to the rule?

:confused:
 
I believe it's actually true. Produce is an 'exempt' commodity and therefore they are not bound by the same rules as far as that is concerned.

This is one of the main reasons why COD when doing produce is so common.
 
yes, produce is an exempt commodity

can't claim against the Bond

but you sure can go after shipper / receiver to get paid

the only non exempt produce commodity is bananas
 
Having said that, do I have to have a log book or follow any other FMCSA rule when hauling produce?

How about when I am pulled in a scale I show the scale guys that I am hauling produce and tell them to take a hike?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The bond doesn't apply on produce however carriers are still required to meet all the SAFETY requirements..ie.e hours of service weight etc..As a carrier you don't need an MC number to haul produce or any other commodity that was classified as exempt under the old regulations. You do, however, still require a DOT number.