Freight collections
Freight debt collection for carriers, brokers and shippers.
Unpaid freight bills follow their own rules: bills of lading, rate confirmations, broker bonds and short federal time limits. We match carriers, brokers, shippers and factors with collection agencies and attorneys that know transportation.
Who we help
- Motor carriers and owner-operators owed by brokers or shippers
- Freight brokers whose shipper customers haven't paid
- Shippers and 3PLs with overcharge or duplicate-billing disputes
- Freight factoring companies with recourse or non-recourse invoices that have gone bad
Why freight debts are different
Freight receivables can involve three or more parties (shipper, broker, carrier, consignee), and who owes what depends on the bill of lading, the rate confirmation and the broker–shipper contract. Federal law sets an 18-month window for many interstate freight-charge suits, and brokers must keep financial security (commonly a BMC-84 surety bond) that unpaid carriers can sometimes claim against. A general collection agency may not know these rules. A transportation-focused one usually will.
Start here
Unpaid freight bills
Step-by-step escalation for past-due freight invoices.
Broker not paying?
Options for carriers when a broker stops paying.
BMC-84 bond claims
How claims against a broker's surety bond generally work.
Who owes the freight?
Carrier, shipper, broker and consignee liability in general terms.
Time limits
The 18-month rule and other deadlines to watch.
Trucking collection agency
Choosing an agency or attorney for freight debts.
Documents to have ready
- Rate confirmation or broker–carrier agreement
- Bill of lading (BOL) and proof of delivery (POD) with consignee signature
- Invoices, accessorial backup (detention, lumper, TONU) and any short-pay explanations
- Load board posting, emails and texts with the broker or shipper
- The debtor's MC/USDOT number
- For factored invoices: the notice of assignment and factoring agreement
Not legal advice. This page is general information about U.S. freight-payment rules, not legal advice. Federal and state transportation law is technical, depends on the facts and changes over time. FMCSA rules on broker financial security were also being updated as of this writing. CollectionPlacement is a referral service, not a law firm or collection agency. Consult a transportation attorney about your situation.
More freight collection guides
How it works
Three steps to placement
One short form replaces calling a dozen agencies.
Tell us about the debt
Debt type, total balance, age, number of accounts and location. Takes about two minutes.
We match you
We review your file and introduce you to agencies or collection attorneys that handle your debt type, size and jurisdiction.
You choose and place
Compare terms (contingency rates, fees, reporting) directly with the partner and place only if it's a fit. No obligation.
Frequently asked questions
What is freight debt collection?
It's the recovery of unpaid transportation charges, such as freight bills owed by shippers or brokers to carriers, or by shippers to brokers, using demands, broker-bond claims, collection agencies and, where needed, lawsuits.
Is there a deadline to collect a freight bill?
For many interstate motor-carrier shipments, federal law generally requires a carrier to sue to collect charges within 18 months after the claim accrues. Other deadlines can apply, so act early and check with counsel.
Can a carrier collect from the shipper if the broker didn't pay?
Sometimes. It depends on the bill of lading terms, the parties' contracts, whether the shipper already paid the broker and court decisions in the relevant jurisdiction. A transportation attorney can assess this.
Do you work with factoring companies?
Yes. Factors with unpaid freight invoices can request a match with agencies or attorneys experienced in transportation receivables.
Free, no obligation
Get matched with a collection partner
Tell us about your receivables. We'll review and introduce you to vetted agencies or collection attorneys suited to your debt type, size and state.