Ocean Forwarder Fees, Charges, and Compensation

Course Overview

This training course provides an in-depth understanding of Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) regulations governing ocean freight forwarders, particularly regarding compensation, fee structures, and compliance requirements. Participants will learn about the FMC’s prohibition against forwarders sharing fees with unlicensed parties and the risks associated with offering reduced fees to shippers. The course will also cover the obligation of ocean forwarders to provide underlying service provider invoices upon request. Additionally, attendees will gain clarity on the entitlement criteria for forwarders to earn and accept “forwarder compensation” from ocean carriers and the strict FMC restrictions on rebating such compensation to shippers. Through real-world examples and regulatory insights, this training equips forwarders with the knowledge needed to ensure compliance and avoid penalties.

• FMC prohibition against an ocean forwarder sharing its fees with an unlicensed party
• When an ocean forwarder “reduced fee” to a shipper violates FMC regulations
• Ocean forwarders are required to provide underlying service provider invoices to shippers upon request
• What entitles a forwarder to earn and accept “forwarder compensation” from an ocean carrier
• FMC prohibition of rebating “forwarder compensation” to a shipper, and forms this can take