Transportation collections are different from ordinary commercial collections.Freight-charge liability may turn on federal transportation law, applicable regulations, the bill of lading, governing contract and state-law principles, and federal case law. Courts have repeatedly examined shipper, consignee, broker, and intermediary liability, including Southern Pacific Transportation Co. v. Commercial Metals Co., Bestway Systems, Inc. v. Gulf Forge Co., and Oak Harbor Freight Lines, Inc. v. Sears Roebuck & Co. Maritime authorities, including GIC Services, L.L.C. v. Freightplus USA, Inc., likewise recognize that payment through an intermediary does not itself establish that the carrier released a party from freight liability.
 
These cases show that liability depends on the shipping documents, payment arrangements, the parties’ agreements, and their course of dealing. Payment to a broker or other intermediary does not necessarily eliminate a shipper’s, consignee’s, or other contracting party’s obligation when the carrier remains unpaid.
Not every shipper or consignee is automatically liable. But when a broker fails to pay, the recovery analysis should not stop with the broker.
 
That is exactly what we do.