Freight Bond (BMC-84 Surety Bond)
BMC-84 is FMCSA Form BMC-84, the filing for a property broker surety bond. Under 49 CFR 387.307(a), effective January 16, 2026, a broker must have a surety bond or trust fund of $75,000 in effect. FMCSA will not register a broker until a surety bond or trust fund for the full limits of liability in that section is in effect, and broker registration remains in effect only as long as the surety bond or trust fund remains in effect. Evidence of a surety bond is filed on Form BMC-84. Evidence of a trust fund with a financial institution is filed on Form BMC-85. The surety bond or the trust fund provides for payments to shippers or motor carriers if the broker fails to carry out its contracts, agreements, or arrangements for the supplying of transportation by authorized motor carriers.
Real-World Example
A shipper or motor carrier is not paid after a broker arranged transportation by an authorized motor carrier. They look up the broker and find Form BMC-84 on file with FMCSA. That form is the evidence, under 49 CFR 387.307(a), that a surety bond of $75,000 is in effect to provide for those payments. If the broker uses a trust fund instead of a surety bond, the filing is Form BMC-85 for the same $75,000.
Why Freight Bond (BMC-84 Surety Bond) Matters for Shippers
A BMC-84 is not a bill of lading or a form filled out for one shipment. It is the broker surety bond filed with FMCSA. Under 49 CFR 387.307(a), FMCSA will not register a property broker until a surety bond or trust fund of $75,000 is in effect, and that registration stays in effect only while the bond or trust stays in effect. Source: 49 CFR 387.307, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
Common Questions About Freight Bond (BMC-84 Surety Bond)
What is a BMC-84?
Form BMC-84 is the FMCSA form used to file evidence of a property broker surety bond. The trust-fund alternative is Form BMC-85. Both are named in 49 CFR 387.307.
How much is a freight broker surety bond?
49 CFR 387.307(a) requires a surety bond or trust fund of $75,000 in effect. FMCSA will not register a broker until security for the full limits of liability in that section is in effect.
Who can be paid from a BMC-84?
Under 49 CFR 387.307(a), the surety bond or trust fund provides for payments to shippers or motor carriers if the broker fails to carry out its contracts, agreements, or arrangements for the supplying of transportation by authorized motor carriers.
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