Logistics companies offering ocean freight services under their own names to and/or from the US and a foreign country must apply for a license or register with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission as a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC). Whether you must apply for a license or registration depends on the location of your company’s office and staff.  

• Companies Located Outside the US

Logistics companies whose office and staff are located outside the US must register with the FMC as a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC). The registration process is fairly straightforward but does require that the NVOCC provide an agent in the US for service of process.

Once your registration is approved you must also certify to the FMC that you have obtained an NVOCC Bond (US$ 150,000) and published an FMC tariff before you may begin operating as an NVOCC.  

Learn more about our FMC Registration Services or contact us. For a quick intro to DPI, view our Introduction to DPI Services video. 

• Companies Located in the US

Logistics companies incorporated in the US with offices and staff in the US must apply for a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) License from the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. 

The NVOCC License application requires detailed information about company structure and management. In addition, licensed NVOCCs must show that they have at least one company officer that has experience working in the U.S. ocean trade lanes. This officer is referred to as the Qualifying Individual or QI for purposes of the FMC licensing application. This QI must be able to prove their experience by providing the FMC with three professional references.  

Once your license is approved you must also certify to the FMC that you have obtained an NVOCC Bond (US$ 75,000) and published an FMC tariff before you may begin operating as an NVOCC.  

Learn more about our FMC Licensing Services  or contact us. For a quick intro to DPI, view our Introduction to DPI Services video.