BNSF Railway credit bonds.
2% of the bond amount.

BNSF Railway Company requires a completed credit application before it will bill a shipper on open account for freight and transportation charges rather than collecting payment up front. As part of that arrangement, BNSF can require a surety bond securing the credit it extends — the shipper’s obligation to pay freight, demurrage, and other transportation charges within BNSF’s published credit terms. BNSF sets the bond amount for your account; premiums are rated at 2% of the bond amount, $100 minimum. 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.

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Required by BNSF Railway Company as security for open-account credit on freight and transportation charges

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Amount set by BNSF for your shipper account — sized to your expected transportation-charge volume

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2% of the bond amount, $100 minimum — enter your figure and see your exact price at the application

2% of amount$100 minimumSoft pull onlynever a hard inquiryFastissued the moment you pay

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How it works

Apply to filed in one sitting.

Your BNSF credit account is waiting on this bond. Here is the whole process — no broker phone tag:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your business details, the bond amount BNSF set for your account, the effective date, and a one-time consent to a soft credit pull.

USUALLY MINUTES

Approved

Most applications clear quickly on a soft pull that never affects your score; pricing is 2% of the bond amount, $100 minimum. Larger amounts may get a brief review.

SAME DAY

Deliver to BNSF

Your executed bond and power of attorney arrive by email, ready to deliver to BNSF Railway Company to complete your credit application. Wet-ink originals mailed on request.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the credit bond actually guarantees

BNSF Railway Company extends open-account credit to shippers who complete its credit application, on published terms — currently 15-day credit for carload freight charges (7 days for intermodal and 3PL) and 30 days for miscellaneous charges, with a finance charge on amounts paid beyond those terms under BNSF Rule Book 6100-C. As a condition of that credit relationship for some accounts, BNSF requires this surety bond in place of, or alongside, financial guarantees for the account.

The bond is a payment guarantee among three parties: you (the principal), the surety carrier, and BNSF Railway Company (the obligee). It backs your obligation to pay freight, demurrage, and other transportation charges within BNSF’s credit terms.

It is not insurance for you — if the surety pays a claim, you repay the surety. BNSF sets the amount for your account based on your expected transportation-charge volume; we price the bond at 2% of that figure, with a $100 minimum.

BNSF Railway Company — credit application (not a Texas statute)BNSF Railway Company requires this bond as a condition of the open-account credit relationship it enters with a shipper through its own credit application. BNSF’s published credit terms — 15-day terms for carload freight charges, 7 days for intermodal and 3PL, and 30 days for miscellaneous charges, with a finance charge under BNSF Rule Book 6100-C on amounts paid beyond those terms — are stated on BNSF’s own credit-application page. The specific bond amount and terms for your account are set by BNSF, not by a state statute or Texas Department of Transportation rule — confirm your required penal sum with BNSF and send it to us so we can issue the correct figure.

You need this bond if you are

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A shipper applying for BNSF credit terms to move freight without paying up front

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An existing BNSF account holder asked to post security for continued open-account billing

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A freight broker or 3PL arranging BNSF transportation on behalf of shippers

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Renewing an existing BNSF credit arrangement that conditions the account on a surety bond

One application, issued instantly.

These are the actual underwriting fields, including your BNSF account details and a one-time consent to a soft credit pull. The pull never affects your score, and your price — 2% of the bond amount, $100 minimum — is set at application.

Start the application →

FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the BNSF Railway credit bond?Premiums are rated at 2% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum. The amount itself is set by BNSF Railway Company for your credit account. Enter that figure and your exact price appears at the application.

What amount should I enter?Use the bond amount BNSF set for your credit account — it is typically sized to your expected freight and transportation-charge volume. If BNSF has not fixed a figure yet, send it to us and we will confirm before issuing.

What does the bond guarantee?That you pay the freight, demurrage, and other transportation charges due to BNSF within its published credit terms. If you default and the surety pays a claim, you repay the surety — it is not insurance for you.

Where do I file it?Deliver the executed bond directly to BNSF Railway Company as part of your credit application package. We email you the signed bond and power of attorney the same day it is issued.

Is there a credit check?Yes — the application includes a credit consent, but it authorizes a soft credit pull only. No hard inquiry ever runs on this bond, and it never affects your score; your price is still set at 2% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum.

Related bonds

Other Texas bonds.

Your BNSF credit account, one bond away.

Rated at 2% of the bond amount, $100 minimum. Enter the figure BNSF set and deliver the executed bond the same day.

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Your premiumfrom $100

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