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OTI bonds (FMC-48), corporation.
From $2,000.

A corporation acting as an Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI), an ocean freight forwarder or NVOCC, must file a bond with the Federal Maritime Commission under 46 CFR Part 515 before its license or registration takes effect. The amount depends on your OTI category. Premium is 4% of the bond amount.

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Required under 46 CFR Part 515 before an FMC-licensed or registered OTI can lawfully operate
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Filed on FMC form 48 in the corporation's legal name, with its state of incorporation on the application
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Priced at 4% of the bond amount — $2,000 at $50,000, $3,000 at $75,000, $6,000 at $150,000
From $2,000your price at applicationSoft pull onlynever a hard inquiryInstantissued the moment you pay
Trusted by industry leaders
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG)
Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG)
Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
How it works

Three steps. One sitting.

No open-ended underwriting queue for a standard OTI bond — enter your amount, pay, and file with the FMC. Here is the whole thing:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your corporation's legal name, state of incorporation, whether you operate as a freight forwarder or NVOCC, and the bond amount your category requires — that is the entire application.

INSTANTLY

Issued on the spot

Most standard corporate OTI bonds price and issue the moment you pay. The application includes a soft-pull credit consent that never affects your score.

SAME DAY

File with the FMC

Your executed FMC-48 bond is transmitted for filing with your corporation's OTI license or registration application. Wet-ink original mailed on request.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the corporate OTI bond actually guarantees

The Federal Maritime Commission licenses ocean freight forwarders and regulates NVOCCs under the Shipping Act, implemented at 46 U.S.C. § 40902 and detailed in 46 CFR Part 515. Before an OTI's license or registration takes effect, it must show financial responsibility — most commonly through a surety bond filed on FMC form 48, though a proof-of-insurance alternative on FMC form 67 is also permitted under the regulation.

It's a three-party arrangement: the corporation (the principal), the surety carrier, and the United States as obligee, protecting shippers and the public against an OTI's failure to meet its Shipping Act obligations. Under 46 CFR 515.21, the required amount tracks your OTI category — an ocean freight forwarder is bonded at $50,000, a U.S.-based or licensed non-U.S.-based NVOCC at $75,000, and an unlicensed non-U.S.-based registered NVOCC at $150,000.

It is not insurance for the corporation — if the surety pays a claim, the corporation repays the surety. This entry is the corporation-specific FMC-48 filing, issued in the entity's own name and state of incorporation; a sole proprietorship or partnership OTI files a separate version of the same bond.

46 CFR § 515.21 / 46 U.S.C. § 40902Ocean Transportation Intermediary financial-responsibility requirements are set by the Federal Maritime Commission under 46 CFR § 515.21, implementing 46 U.S.C. § 40902, which bars a person from advertising, holding out, or acting as an OTI unless it furnishes a bond, insurance, or other surety acceptable to the Commission. Section 515.21 sets the bond amount by OTI category: $50,000 for an ocean freight forwarder, $75,000 for a U.S.-based or licensed non-U.S.-based NVOCC, and $150,000 for an unlicensed non-U.S.-based registered NVOCC. The bond is filed on Form FMC-48, payable to the United States. Confirm your exact required amount with the FMC or your license/registration paperwork before applying.

You need this bond if you're

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A corporation applying for a new OTI license or registration with the Federal Maritime Commission
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An incorporated ocean freight forwarder arranging export cargo bookings and documentation
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An incorporated NVOCC issuing your own bills of lading as a non-vessel-operating common carrier
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Renewing an expiring corporate OTI bond to keep your FMC license or registration active

One application, issued on the spot.

Submit the application with your corporation's details, OTI category, and the bond amount it requires — the executed FMC-48 bond is generated instantly, ready to file.

Start the application →
FAQ

Common questions.

What amount should I enter?Enter the amount 46 CFR 515.21 sets for your OTI category — $50,000 for an ocean freight forwarder, $75,000 for a U.S.-based or licensed non-U.S.-based NVOCC, and $150,000 for an unlicensed non-U.S.-based registered NVOCC. Confirm the exact figure on your FMC license or registration paperwork.
What does the bond guarantee?It guarantees the corporation's compliance with the Shipping Act and the FMC's OTI regulations — including obligations to shippers whose cargo it arranges or carries. If the FMC or a harmed party makes a valid claim, the surety pays up to the bond's face amount and then looks to the corporation for repayment.
Do we pay the full bond amount?No. You pay the premium — 4% of the bond amount, $2,000 at the $50,000 freight-forwarder amount — not the bond's face value. The face amount is the surety's maximum exposure if a claim is made, never a deposit the FMC or the surety holds.
Is there a credit check?The application includes a credit consent, but it authorizes a soft credit pull only — a soft inquiry that never affects your score. No hard inquiry ever runs on this bond.
Where do we file it?With the Federal Maritime Commission, alongside your corporation's OTI license or registration application. We issue the executed FMC-48 bond ready to transmit; a wet-ink original is mailed on request if the FMC needs one.
Which A-rated carriers underwrite these bonds?Typically Arch Insurance Company (A.M. Best A+) or Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (A.M. Best A). Which one writes your bond depends on the bond type and your state. The carrier's name and official signature are printed on the bond you receive.
How do I contact Light RFP about this bond?Email insurance@lightrfp.com. It reaches the bond team at Light RFP Risk Management Services LLC (NY DFS License # PC-1978982). Write to us about quotes, applications, bond forms or certificates. We will respond within 24 hours.
Related bonds

Other Federal bonds.

OTI Bond — Sole Proprietor / Partnership
The FMC-48 bond a sole proprietor or partnership Ocean Transportation Intermediary posts to the Federal Maritime Commission under 46 CFR Part 515 to operate as a freight forwarder or NVOCC. Priced at 4% of the bond amount — $2,000 at the $50,000 freight-forwarder amount.
View bond →
OTI Group Supplemental (Corporation)
The FMC-69 supplemental bond a corporate ocean transportation intermediary files to back a group or association bond. Priced at 4% of the bond amount, $100 minimum.
View bond →
CBP Customs Bond
The 19 CFR Part 113 bond U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires to secure duties, taxes, and compliance on imported merchandise. Priced at 2% of the bond amount, $100 minimum.
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Freight Forwarder / Broker Bond (BMC-84)
The $75,000 FMCSA financial-security bond a freight forwarder or property broker files under 49 U.S.C. § 13906. $2,250 flat.
View bond →

Corporate OTI bond, issued today.

From $2,000, with your exact price at the application. Enter your bond amount and file the same day.

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Your premiumfrom $2,000
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