Interstate Moving Tariff: How Rates Are Actually Filed
Every interstate carrier files a rate tariff - the mover is legally bound by it, and you have the right to see it before you sign.
Last Updated: September 2026
TL;DR: An interstate moving tariff is the mover's written rate schedule filed under federal rules. It lists per-pound or per-mile rates, minimum charges, and every add-on line item. Customers can request the tariff before signing an estimate. A written, price-locked estimate ties the tariff to a single move.
An interstate moving tariff is a written schedule of rates, charges, and rules that a household goods carrier maintains under federal law. It sets the per-pound, per-mile, or hourly rate the carrier can bill on an interstate move. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires each interstate mover to keep a tariff available for customer review. The tariff drives every line item on a written estimate, from labor to fuel to protection add-ons.
Safebound Moving and Storage is a licensed Florida carrier that maintains a full tariff under USDOT 2900155, MC 975408, and FL IM2839. Since 2016, Safebound has delivered 35,000+ moves and holds a 4.9 stars rating across 2,401 reviews. Customers can get a free quote based on the tariff after a video walk-through. Long-distance loads are priced flat-rate: the written estimate is price-locked unless volume or services change after it is signed.
The five takeaways below frame each check on how a moving tariff shapes a price.
Key Takeaways
Federal filing: Every interstate household goods carrier must maintain a tariff under 49 CFR 375 and make it available for customer review.
Rate basis: A tariff lists per-pound, per-mile, or hourly rates plus fuel, packing, protection, and access line items.
Right to request: A customer can ask for the tariff pages that back an estimate before signing anything.
Flat-rate option: Safebound prices long-distance loads flat-rate and the written estimate holds unless volume or services change.
Red flag: A carrier that refuses to share tariff pages or files no tariff at all is a red flag under FMCSA consumer guidance.
The five sections below map each part of a tariff to the right stage of a written estimate.
What is a moving tariff?
A moving tariff is a written rate schedule that a household goods carrier maintains for interstate moves. It sets the price for weight, distance, labor, packing, and every add-on. Under 49 CFR 375, each interstate mover must keep a current tariff on file. The tariff is the paper trail behind every charge on a written estimate. Weight-based carriers price a load off the tariff's per-pound and per-mile rates. Flat-rate carriers use the tariff as a floor and lock a single price on the written estimate before load day.
The tariff also lists the rules for accessorial charges. Long carry, stair carry, shuttle service, and expedited delivery each have their own line. See the real cost breakdown for long-distance moves for how those lines land on a final bill.
Are movers required to publish rates?
Yes. Federal rules require every interstate household goods carrier to maintain a written tariff and make it available for customer review. The rule sits in 49 CFR 375. FMCSA no longer requires movers to file the tariff with a federal agency, but the carrier must keep it current on its own records. Customers can request the pages that apply to their move before signing an estimate. A carrier that cannot produce a tariff is not compliant.
Intrastate rules are different. Each state sets its own rate rules for in-state moves. Florida, for example, regulates intrastate movers through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). An interstate carrier holds both a USDOT number and a valid MC number. Verify both at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before signing.
The table below compares how a weight-based tariff and a flat-rate quote treat the same load.
| Pricing Model | How the Tariff Sets Price | Reweigh Risk at Delivery | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight-based non-binding | Per-pound and per-mile rates from the filed tariff | Yes, invoice can rise if the load runs heavier | Small loads where weight is easy to guess |
| Weight-based binding | Per-pound rates plus a written cap on the total | No, capped at the written figure | Loads with a full inventory count |
| Flat-rate price-locked | Tariff sets the floor, quote locks a single number | No, holds unless volume or services change | Long-distance moves with a video walk-through |
| Hourly local | Per-hour crew rate from the intrastate tariff | No, billed by clock time | Short in-state moves under 100 miles |
Seasonal rates may vary.
A non-binding estimate can change at delivery if actual weight or volume exceeds the original tally. A binding or price-locked quote holds unless volume or services change after the written estimate is signed. Ask which model the carrier uses before scheduling the walk-through.
Can I see a mover's tariff?
Yes. Federal rules give the customer a right to review the tariff pages that back a written estimate. Ask for the pages that cover the rate base, the accessorial charges, and the protection options. A reputable carrier will send them by email or link to a PDF. A dispatch office should walk a customer through the lines that apply. Refusal to share is a red flag. So is a tariff dated years ago with rates that do not match the quote.
The carrier versus broker guide shows why the tariff belongs to the carrier of record, not the sales agent. A broker resells another carrier's tariff. Confirm which company holds the USDOT number on the paperwork before paying a deposit.
How does the tariff shape my written estimate?
The tariff is the source of every dollar on a written estimate. The estimate names the rate model, the load size, the origin, the destination, and any add-ons. Each add-on maps to a tariff line item. Packing labor, materials, long carry, stair carry, and Full Value Protection each have their own line. The estimate must show the rate, the units, and the extended amount. Anything missing from the estimate cannot be billed later without a change order signed by the customer.
Safebound writes a flat-rate estimate after a video or on-site walk-through. The written estimate is price-locked unless volume or services change after it is signed. The vet carriers fast guide lists the questions to ask before signing.
What red flags in a tariff signal a scam mover?
A missing tariff is the biggest red flag. Federal rules require the carrier to keep one and share it on request. Other warning signs include a tariff with no date, rates that do not match the quote, blank pages for accessorial charges, and a company that refuses to send anything in writing. A deposit request above 45% of the total is a separate red flag under FMCSA consumer guidance and often signals a scam operator.
Verify the carrier at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before paying anything. The unlicensed mover guide lists the red flags customers see most on quote calls, contracts, and pickup day.
Moving Tariff Review Checklist
Ask the carrier for a copy of the tariff pages that back the written estimate before signing anything.
Confirm the tariff date. A current file has a clear effective date and a version number that matches the quote.
Match each line on the estimate to a tariff line. Rate, units, and extended amount should tie out on every row.
Verify the carrier at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Confirm the USDOT and MC number status is Active before paying a deposit.
Ask which pricing model the carrier uses: weight-based non-binding, weight-based binding, or flat-rate price-locked.
Request the accessorial pages. Long carry, stair carry, shuttle service, and expedited delivery should each be spelled out.
Confirm the protection options. Released Value Protection at $0.60 per pound per article is the federal minimum. Full Value Protection is an add-on.
Read the deposit rule on the estimate. A deposit request above 45% of the total is a red flag under FMCSA consumer guidance.
Save every tariff page, the written estimate, and the Bill of Lading in one folder. Photos of the load and the paperwork help with any later claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who regulates interstate moving tariffs?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates interstate household goods moves under 49 CFR 375. The rule requires each carrier to maintain a written tariff and make it available for customer review. FMCSA no longer requires a filing with a federal agency, but the tariff must be current and accurate on the carrier's own records.
Do intrastate moves have tariffs?
Yes, but the rules come from the state, not FMCSA. Florida regulates intrastate movers through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Other states use a state DOT or a public service commission. Ask the carrier which state agency approves the intrastate tariff and how to view it before booking.
Is a moving tariff the same as a quote?
No. A tariff is the master rate schedule. A quote or written estimate is a one-move document that applies the tariff to a specific load, origin, destination, and add-on list. Two customers on the same day can get very different quotes off the same tariff based on cubic feet, distance, and access.
Can a carrier charge more than the tariff shows?
No. The tariff is the ceiling for each line item under federal rules. A carrier can charge less than the tariff, but not more, without a written change order signed by the customer. Any bill line above the tariff without a signed change order can be disputed under 49 CFR 375.
What is an accessorial charge?
An accessorial charge is a line item for a service beyond basic labor and transport. Long carry, stair carry, shuttle service, expedited delivery, and extra pickup or drop stops are common accessorials. Each accessorial has its own line in the tariff and its own price on the written estimate. Ask for the list before signing.
How is a flat-rate quote different from a tariff-based quote?
A flat-rate quote uses the tariff as the price floor and locks a single number for the whole move. A tariff-based non-binding quote applies rates line by line and can shift if the load runs heavier than the tally. Safebound writes long-distance quotes flat-rate after a video walk-through of every room.
Do movers have to include Released Value Protection?
Yes. Released Value Protection at $0.60 per pound per article is the federal minimum on interstate moves. It is included at no extra cost under the tariff. Full Value Protection is a paid add-on and settles at repair, replacement, or current cash value under the coverage terms. Compare both before choosing.
Can I negotiate a moving tariff?
The tariff itself is not up for negotiation. It is the carrier's written rate schedule. The written estimate that applies the tariff can flex on cubic feet, load date, and add-on choices. Trim the load, pick a mid-week date, and drop optional services to bring the quote down without changing the tariff.
Where can I file a complaint about a moving tariff?
File a complaint with FMCSA at nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov for interstate issues. For Florida intrastate moves, file with FDACS at fdacs.gov. Include the written estimate, the Bill of Lading, the invoice, and any tariff pages received. A written record makes the complaint easier to process for both agencies.
Ready to Get a Moving Tariff Quote?
Call Safebound at 561-510-7191 to request the tariff pages that back a written, flat-rate estimate. A licensed dispatcher schedules the video walk-through, sends the tariff summary, and issues the written estimate before load day. Get a free quote now. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-9pm | Sat-Sun 10am-6pm.
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Sources & References
Safebound Moving & Storage is licensed, insured, and certified throughout Florida and the continental United States. USDOT 2900155 | MC 975408 | FL IM2839. BBB Accredited. Forbes Featured. Verify at fdacs.gov or safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
About the Author
Leo Cavaretta | Moving Industry Specialist, Safebound Moving & Storage
Leo Cavaretta is a moving industry specialist at Safebound Moving & Storage, a licensed carrier based in West Palm Beach, Florida (USDOT 2900155). Leo specializes in interstate moving regulations, USDOT compliance, residential relocation, and moving cost transparency, helping customers navigate the full moving process, from written, price-locked estimates with transparent pricing and no hidden fees to long-distance logistics, with confidence. Since 2016, Safebound has completed more than 35,000 residential and commercial relocations across all 50 states. Safebound holds USDOT 2900155, MC 975408, and FL IM2839, and is BBB Accredited. Get a free quote or learn about Safebound Moving & Storage.
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