NVOCC & OTI Bond (Federal Maritime Commission)
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) requires ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs) to prove financial responsibility before they can operate. For most OTIs, that proof is a surety bond filed on FMC Form FMC-48.
Which bond do you need? Ocean freight forwarder $50,000 · U.S. NVOCC $75,000 · Registered foreign NVOCC $150,000.
Prefer to talk? Call 1-844-810-2663
Free quote. Pay only when your bond is issued.
All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov). BuySuretyBonds.com works with Treasury-listed surety carriers.
Who needs an NVOCC or OTI bond
An OTI is either an ocean freight forwarder or a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC). Both provide services in U.S. foreign ocean commerce, and both must hold FMC-acceptable proof of financial responsibility.
- Ocean freight forwarders in the United States handle the paperwork and arrangements for ocean shipments, and they need an FMC license.
- NVOCCs sell ocean transportation to shippers without operating the vessels themselves. U.S. NVOCCs need an FMC license. NVOCCs based outside the U.S. register with the FMC.
- Companies filing together can use a group bond (see the FAQ).
Confirm your exact license or registration category with the FMC before you apply for the bond.
Not sure this is the right bond? See our customs bond guide and the international carrier bond page. Domestic trucking brokers and forwarders should look at the freight forwarder bond page instead.
FMC bond amounts
The required bond amount depends on the type of OTI. These amounts come from 46 CFR 515.21.
| OTI type | Required bond amount |
|---|---|
| Ocean freight forwarder (in the U.S.) | $50,000 |
| NVOCC (in the U.S.) | $75,000 |
| Registered (foreign) NVOCC | $150,000 |
Group bonds are allowed for OTIs that file together.
The bond amount is not your cost. The amount is the maximum the surety may pay on valid claims. What you pay is a premium, a fraction of it.
Source: 46 CFR 515.21. Check the FMC bond program page for any update before you file (rules as of Sep 30, 2026).
How to file with the FMC
- Choose your OTI type and the matching bond amount from the table above.
- Request a quote with the form on this page. Tell us your legal business name and your FMC license or registration details if you have them.
- Review and approve. We shop multiple Treasury-listed surety carriers and come back with the option that fits. You pay only when your bond is issued.
- Receive your bond. It is issued on FMC Form FMC-48, the individual OTI surety bond form listed on the FMC bond program page.
- Filing with the FMC. The bond must be acceptable to the FMC and underwritten by a surety company acceptable to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Follow the FMC's current filing instructions.
- Keep it active. According to the FMC, a licensed OTI cannot keep its license without acceptable, active proof of financial responsibility. If a bond is cancelled, the FMC gives a 30-day notice before revocation.
Source: FMC, Bond Program Information for OTIs (rules as of Sep 30, 2026).
What the bond pays
An OTI bond protects the public, not the bond holder. It secures the OTI's transportation-related activities in U.S. foreign commerce. If the OTI fails to meet transportation-related obligations, a valid claim can be made against the bond, up to the bond amount.
- The surety pays valid claims first. It then looks to you, the principal, to repay it. A bond is not insurance for your own business.
- Pay shippers and partners on time. Keeping your obligations current is the best way to avoid claims.
Comparing with trucking requirements? Read BMC-84 vs. BMC-85. Those are FMCSA property broker and freight forwarder filings, separate from the FMC's ocean rules.
What an NVOCC bond costs (estimate)
The premium is typically a small percentage of the bond amount per year; the carrier sets the final price. It depends on your credit, your business history and financial strength, and the bond amount you need.
- Estimate only. Final pricing comes after the surety reviews your application.
- We shop multiple Treasury-listed surety carriers. If one does not fit your profile, we can take it to another.
- Free quote. Pay only when your bond is issued.
Frequently asked questions
What is an NVOCC bond?
It is a surety bond that an NVOCC files with the FMC as proof of financial responsibility. It secures the NVOCC’s transportation-related obligations.
What is the difference between an OTI bond and an NVOCC bond?
“OTI” covers both ocean freight forwarders and NVOCCs. An NVOCC bond is the OTI bond for NVOCCs. Ocean freight forwarders file an OTI bond too, in a different amount.
How much is the FMC bond?
Under 46 CFR 515.21: $50,000 for an ocean freight forwarder, $75,000 for a U.S. NVOCC and $150,000 for a registered foreign NVOCC. The FMC’s bond page lists some licensed non-U.S. NVOCCs at a different amount, so ask the FMC which category applies to you.
What is FMC-48?
FMC-48 is the FMC’s form for an individual OTI surety bond. Group bonds use a different form, FMC-69.
Can several companies share one bond?
46 CFR 515.21 allows group bonds for OTIs that file together, and covered OTIs must be identified. Ask us whether a group filing fits your situation.
How much does an NVOCC bond cost?
The premium is typically a small percentage of the bond amount per year; the carrier sets the final price. Request a free quote for an estimate based on your profile.
Can I get a bond with bad credit?
We work with carriers that write challenged credit; the carrier decides. Pricing is typically higher.
When do I pay?
Only when your bond is issued.
What happens if my bond is cancelled?
A licensed OTI cannot keep its license without active, acceptable proof of financial responsibility. The FMC says it gives 30 days’ notice before revocation after a bond cancellation. Replace your bond before that window closes.
Is this the same as a customs bond?
No. A customs bond goes to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The OTI bond goes to the Federal Maritime Commission.
Get my NVOCC bond quote
We shop multiple Treasury-listed surety carriers. If one can't write your bond, we can take it to another.
Get My NVOCC Bond QuotePrefer to talk? Call 1-844-810-2663
Free quote. Pay only when your bond is issued.
Sources (rules as of Sep 30, 2026)
- 46 CFR 515.21, Financial responsibility requirements (Cornell LII)
- FMC, Bond Program Information for OTIs
Rules as of Sep 30, 2026. Requirements can change; confirm with the agency before you file. General information, not legal advice.