(a) In General.—The Secretary shall register a person to provide service subject to jurisdiction under subchapter III of chapter 135 as a freight forwarder if the Secretary determines that the person—

(1) has sufficient experience to qualify the person to act as a freight forwarder; and

(2) is fit, willing, and able to provide the service and to comply with this part and applicable regulations of the Secretary.


Terms Used In 49 USC 13903

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • individual: shall include every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development. See 1 USC 8
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • officer: includes any person authorized by law to perform the duties of the office. See 1 USC 1

(b) Duration.—A registration issued under subsection (a) shall only remain in effect while the freight forwarder is in compliance with section 13906(c).

(c) Experience or Training Requirement.—Each freight forwarder shall employ, as an officer, an individual who—

(1) has at least 3 years of relevant experience; or

(2) provides the Secretary with satisfactory evidence of the individual’s knowledge of related rules, regulations, and industry practices.


(d) Registration as Motor Carrier Required.—A freight forwarder may not provide transportation as a motor carrier unless the freight forwarder has registered separately under this chapter to provide transportation as a motor carrier.

(e) Update of Registration.—The Secretary shall require a freight forwarder to update its registration under this section not later than 30 days after a change in the freight forwarder’s address, other contact information, officers, process agent, or other essential information, as determined by the Secretary.