A freight broker bond, filed on FMCSA form BMC-84, is the $75,000 financial responsibility a property broker or freight forwarder must have before the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will grant or keep its broker authority. This is a federal bond, not a state one, so the same $75,000 applies whether you operate in Nevada, Arizona, or anywhere else. It is required under 49 U.S.C. 13906 and 49 CFR 387.307, and it guarantees payment to shippers and motor carriers if the broker fails to carry out its transportation contracts. You do not pay the full $75,000. You pay a yearly premium based mainly on your credit.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who requires it | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) |
| Governing law | 49 U.S.C. 13906 and 49 CFR 387.307 |
| Official form | Surety bond on FMCSA form BMC-84 (a BMC-85 trust fund is the alternative) |
| Bond amount | $75,000, the same in every state |
| Who needs it | Property brokers and freight forwarders |
| Premium basis | A percentage of $75,000, based mainly on your credit (see cost section) |
| Protects | Shippers and motor carriers, paid through claims on the bond |
How much is the bond, and does it change by state?
No. The freight broker bond is a single federal amount of $75,000 set by 49 CFR 387.307. It does not change by state, by number of loads, or by company size. Every property broker and freight forwarder must keep the full $75,000 in place. FMCSA will not register a broker until a $75,000 bond or trust fund is on file, and the broker must keep it at the full $75,000 to keep operating.
What does the bond cover?
A freight broker bond protects the shippers and motor carriers you work with, not you. Under 49 CFR 387.307, it ensures payment to shippers or motor carriers if the broker fails to carry out its contracts, agreements, or arrangements for supplying transportation by authorized motor carriers. If the surety pays a valid claim, you must repay the surety in full. If a payment causes the bond to fall below $75,000, the surety must notify FMCSA.
How much does the bond cost?
You do not pay the full $75,000. You pay a yearly premium, which is a percentage of the $75,000 based mainly on your personal credit, plus your business finances and experience.
[CLIENT FLAG: premium percentage by credit tier (for example, strong credit X percent, weaker credit Y percent), plus one real worked example such as a $75,000 bond at $Z per year.]
We quote your exact rate before you commit to anything.
Should I file a BMC-84 bond or a BMC-85 trust fund?
FMCSA accepts two ways to meet the $75,000 requirement. A BMC-84 surety bond lets you pay a yearly premium instead of locking up cash, with a surety company backing the $75,000. A BMC-85 trust fund requires you to deposit and maintain the full $75,000 (or assets) with a financial institution. Most brokers choose the BMC-84 bond because it does not tie up $75,000 in capital.
How do I get bonded and file with FMCSA?
- Apply for FMCSA broker operating authority (your MC number) through FMCSA registration.
- Obtain a $75,000 surety bond. The surety reviews your credit and sets your premium.
- The surety files your BMC-84 electronically with FMCSA.
- Maintain the bond at the full $75,000. If a claim payment drops it below $75,000, the surety notifies FMCSA.
- Keep the bond active. FMCSA can suspend or revoke your broker authority if the bond lapses.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a freight broker bond?
It is $75,000, set by federal rule. You pay only a yearly premium of that amount, not the full $75,000.
Who requires it?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), under 49 U.S.C. 13906 and 49 CFR 387.307.
Is the amount different in Nevada, Arizona, or other states?
No. It is a federal bond, so the $75,000 is the same in every state.
What is the difference between a BMC-84 and a BMC-85?
A BMC-84 is a surety bond, where you pay a premium and a surety backs the $75,000. A BMC-85 is a trust fund, where you deposit and maintain the full $75,000 yourself. Most brokers choose the BMC-84.
What does the bond protect against?
It pays shippers and motor carriers if the broker fails to carry out its transportation contracts.
What happens if my bond lapses?
FMCSA can suspend or revoke your broker authority, which stops you from operating as a broker.
Did the rules change recently?
FMCSA adopted new broker and freight forwarder financial responsibility rules effective January 16, 2026. [VERIFY against the FMCSA financial responsibility rule and Federal Register notice: confirm the specific enforcement mechanics, such as suspension triggers and notice periods, before publishing details.]
