Tariff (Freight)

Summary of Tariff (Freight)

A document issued, usually in booklet form, by a Common Carrier (read this and related legal terms for further details) listing its charges for transportation services. Commonly, the rate, or cost of transportation, varies by commodity or product; some tariffs contain thousands of specific products. Charges are imposed by standard units of measure (e.g., ton, cubic meter, board foot). Tariffs also contain a description of the geographic areas served by a carrier, rules of carriage, and limitations upon carrier liability. Tariffs are published by the carrier or an organization such as a Conference (read this legal term for further details) or rate bureau representing a group of carriers. The law may require that they be filed with or approved by regulatory agencies having economic supervision over the particular mode of transport.

(Main Author: William J. Miller)