Trucking collection agency
Trucking collection agency and transportation collection attorneys.
Carriers, brokers and factors get better results from collectors who understand rate confirmations, BOLs, broker bonds and federal time limits. We match you with them.
What to look for
- Real transportation experience: ask how they handle broker-bond claims, short-pays and shipper double-payment defenses
- Familiarity with FMCSA records and broker financial security
- Speed, given the 18-month federal window and broker failure risk
- Access to attorneys in the debtor's state for suits
- Clear contingency pricing and reporting, and trust-account handling of funds
- Experience working with factoring companies and notices of assignment
Agency vs. attorney for freight debts
An agency is usually the faster, lower-cost first step for a clean unpaid freight bill. A transportation collection attorney makes sense for larger or disputed bills, claims against multiple parties (broker, shipper, consignee) and deadlines that are close. See collection agency vs. collection attorney.
Pricing
Most collectors work on contingency. Rates vary with the age, size and volume of the bills, and legal action may carry separate costs. See how much collection agencies charge.
What a trucking collection agency actually does
A transportation-focused collector does more than send letters. On a typical unpaid load it will:
- Audit the file: check the rate confirmation, bill of lading, proof of delivery and accessorial backup, and fix paperwork gaps that give the debtor an excuse not to pay.
- Identify every potential payer: the broker, the shipper, the consignee and, for broker defaults, the broker's financial security. Who is actually liable depends on the documents and the facts (see who owes the freight bill).
- Check FMCSA records: the debtor's MC/USDOT authority status and its bond or trust provider, which can change quickly when a broker is failing.
- Make demand and negotiate: written and phone demands to the debtor's decision-makers, with settlements or payment plans within the authority you give.
- Pursue the bond or trust where appropriate: help prepare a claim against a broker's financial security. See freight broker bond claims.
- Forward for suit: send larger or disputed claims to a transportation collection attorney in the right jurisdiction, mindful of freight-charge time limits.
Common freight collection situations
- Broker stops paying carriers. Often the first sign of a broker in financial trouble. Speed matters because several carriers may be competing for limited bond or trust funds. See broker not paying a carrier.
- Short-pays and deductions. Disputed detention, lumper, layover or TONU charges, cargo-claim offsets and "late delivery" penalties not in the rate con.
- Double-payment defenses. A shipper says it already paid the broker. Whether the carrier can still collect from the shipper depends on the bill of lading terms, the contracts and court decisions in the jurisdiction.
- Shipper or 3PL slow pay to a broker. A broker's own receivables are ordinary B2B debts. See B2B debt collection.
- Factored invoices. When a factor has bought the invoice or holds a notice of assignment, the factor, not the carrier, may be the party entitled to collect.
How to choose between agencies
Ask each candidate the same questions, in writing:
- What share of your placements are transportation accounts, and which parties (brokers, shippers, carriers) do you usually collect from?
- How do you handle broker-bond and trust claims, and what do you charge for them?
- What is your contingency rate by age and size of the bill, and what changes if the account goes to an attorney?
- Do you hold collected funds in a trust account, and how often do you remit?
- Are you licensed or bonded in the states where my debtors are located, where that is required?
- Can you take placements electronically from my TMS or factoring platform?
Before you place a freight account
Gather the rate confirmation, BOL, signed POD, invoices, accessorial backup, all emails and texts with the debtor, the debtor's MC/USDOT number and any notice of assignment. Note the delivery date, because federal time limits can run from events around delivery and invoicing. If you haven't yet, send a demand letter (also available as a DOCX or PDF download) with a short deadline so the file is ready for placement.
Not legal advice. This page is general information about U.S. freight-payment rules, not legal advice. Federal and state transportation law is technical, depends on the facts and changes over time. FMCSA rules on broker financial security were also being updated as of this writing. CollectionPlacement is a referral service, not a law firm or collection agency. Consult a transportation attorney about your situation.
More freight collection guides
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Frequently asked questions
What does a trucking collection agency do?
It pursues unpaid freight bills and related charges from brokers, shippers and other debtors, using demands, broker-bond claims, negotiation and, through attorneys, lawsuits.
How much does a freight collection agency charge?
Typically a contingency percentage of what is collected, which varies with the age, size and volume of the bills. Confirm terms in writing.
Can a trucking collection agency file a claim on a broker's bond?
Many transportation-focused agencies help carriers prepare and submit claims against a broker's financial security. Bond and trust rules are technical and time-sensitive, so ask how the agency handles them and what it charges.
Should I use a trucking collection agency or a transportation attorney?
An agency is usually the faster, lower-cost first step for a clean unpaid freight bill. An attorney makes more sense for large or disputed bills, claims against several parties, or deadlines that are close.
Can factoring companies use a trucking collection agency?
Yes. Factors commonly place unpaid freight invoices, including disputes with shippers and brokers, with transportation-focused collectors.
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