OTI group supplemental bonds.
From $100. Enter your amount.

A corporation acting as an ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) — an ocean freight forwarder or a non-vessel-operating common carrier — must maintain financial responsibility under 46 U.S.C. § 40902. When that coverage runs through a group or association bond, 46 CFR § 515.21(b) lets a member post a supplemental bond on Federal Maritime Commission Form FMC-69 so the coverage available for its license actually reaches the amount its OTI type requires. Pricing is 4% of the bond amount, $100 minimum — enter the amount your filing requires and your exact price appears at the application.

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Required under 46 U.S.C. § 40902 — the FMC sets the form and amount of OTI financial responsibility

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Filed on FMC Form 69 to supplement a group or association bond under 46 CFR § 515.21(b)

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From $100, priced at 4% of the bond amount — enter the figure your OTI license type requires

From $1004% of the bond amount, $100 minimumSoft pull onlynever a hard inquiryFastinstant underwriting for most

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How it works

Apply to filed in one sitting.

No long underwriting queue for the standard group supplemental filing — enter your amount, consent to a soft pull, and file with the Commission. Here is the whole thing:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your corporation's details, the FEIN, the owner and officer information the FMC form requires, the bond amount your OTI type calls for, and a one-time credit consent that authorizes a soft pull only.

USUALLY MINUTES

Approved

Most group supplemental filings clear quickly on a soft pull that never affects your score — pricing is 4% of the bond amount, $100 minimum. Larger amounts may get a brief review.

SAME DAY

File with the FMC

Your executed FMC-69 bond and power of attorney arrive by email, ready to file with the Federal Maritime Commission to complete your group or association coverage. Wet-ink originals mailed on request.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the OTI group supplemental bond actually guarantees

An ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) — an ocean freight forwarder or non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC) — may not advertise, hold itself out, or act as an OTI without furnishing a bond, insurance, or other surety, under 46 U.S.C. § 40902. The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) sets the required form and coverage amount and must approve the surety.

The coverage stands behind penalties the FMC assesses, reparations the Commission orders, and certain claims arising from an OTI's transportation-related activities that the OTI does not resolve. Under 46 CFR § 515.21(b), a group or association of OTIs may satisfy this requirement collectively, with total coverage equal to the lesser of the sum of each member's individually required amount or $3,000,000 in the aggregate. Form FMC-69 is the supplemental bond a corporate member files so the group's coverage reaches what that member's own OTI type requires.

Base amounts under 46 CFR § 515.21(a) run $50,000 for an ocean freight forwarder, $75,000 for an NVOCC, and $150,000 for a registered NVOCC. Enter the figure your group's filing requires; we price it at 4% of the bond amount from a $100 minimum, after a credit consent that authorizes a soft pull only.

46 U.S.C. § 40902 · 46 CFR § 515.21(b)Under 46 U.S.C. § 40902, a person may not act as an ocean transportation intermediary without furnishing a bond, insurance, or other surety in a form and amount the Federal Maritime Commission determines, issued by a surety the Secretary of the Treasury finds acceptable, available to satisfy FMC penalties, reparations, and covered third-party claims. 46 CFR § 515.21(a) sets base amounts of $50,000 for an ocean freight forwarder, $75,000 for an NVOCC, and $150,000 for a registered NVOCC; § 515.21(b) allows a group or association of OTIs to establish coverage collectively, equal to the lesser of each member's required amount or $3,000,000 in aggregate, filed on a group bond form clearly identifying each covered OTI. Confirm your required amount and group status on your FMC filing.

You need this bond if you are

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A corporation licensed as an ocean freight forwarder operating under a group or association bond

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A corporate NVOCC or registered NVOCC whose group coverage needs supplementing to meet your license's required amount

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Joining a group or association bond for the first time as a corporate member

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Renewing or adjusting coverage after your group's aggregate limit or membership changed

One application, then a quick review.

These are the actual FMC-69 underwriting fields for a corporate applicant, including a one-time credit consent that authorizes a soft pull only. Submit once and most clear the same day.

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FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the OTI group supplemental bond?Premiums cost 4% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum. The amount itself follows your OTI license type under 46 CFR § 515.21(a) — $50,000 for an ocean freight forwarder, $75,000 for an NVOCC, $150,000 for a registered NVOCC. Enter the figure your group filing requires and your exact price appears at the application.

What amount should I enter?The amount your OTI license type requires under 46 CFR § 515.21(a), or the supplemental figure your group or association administrator tells you to file to bring the group's aggregate coverage up to that amount. Check your FMC filing or ask your group administrator if you are unsure.

What does the bond guarantee?It is financial responsibility required by 46 U.S.C. § 40902 — coverage the Federal Maritime Commission can draw on to satisfy penalties it assesses against you, reparations it orders, and certain third-party claims arising from your OTI activities that you do not resolve. It protects shippers and the Commission, not your own business.

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. Pricing is 4% of the bond amount, $100 minimum, regardless of the result.

Do I still need this if my group already has a bond?Yes, if your group's aggregate coverage — capped at the lesser of the sum of each member's required amount or $3,000,000 — does not reach the amount your specific OTI type requires. FMC-69 is the supplemental filing that closes that gap for a corporate member.

Related bonds

Other Federal bonds.

Group coverage, closed the same day.

Premiums from $100, priced at 4% of the bond amount. Enter your required figure and file the executed FMC-69 with the Commission.

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OTI group supplemental bonds.From $100. Enter your amount.