Texas Freight Broker Bond (BMC-84)

What Is the Texas Freight Broker Bond (BMC-84)?

The freight broker bond is a federal requirement under 49 U.S.C. §13906, set at $75,000 by the MAP-21 transportation legislation. It is filed with FMCSA on Form BMC-84 and protects motor carriers and shippers from financial loss caused by:

• The broker's failure to pay carriers for transportation services performed
• Misrepresentation of freight type, weight, or destination
• Diversion of carrier payments held in trust
• Violation of FMCSA brokerage regulations

Although this is a federal bond, Texas-based freight brokers and those arranging shipments into or through Texas must maintain the BMC-84 bond as a condition of their FMCSA Motor Carrier (MC) authority. Without an active bond on file with FMCSA, broker authority is suspended automatically.

Who Needs This Bond in Texas?

• Property freight brokers arranging interstate transportation of cargo (other than household goods)
• Household goods freight brokers — same $75,000 requirement
• Surface freight forwarders — same $75,000 requirement
• Texas-domiciled brokers operating intrastate within Texas may also need to comply with TxDOT intrastate authority requirements in addition to FMCSA registration

How to Get Bonded — Step by Step

1. Form your business and obtain MC authority from FMCSA (Form OP-1 at FMCSA.dot.gov). Allow 4–6 weeks for MC number issuance.
2. Apply for the BMC-84 bond. Submit the form on this page; underwriting reviews credit and business experience.
3. Receive your quote. Most applicants receive a rate within 24 hours. Premium depends on credit and business history.
4. Pay premium. Payment plans are available for higher-premium accounts.
5. FMCSA filing. The surety files the BMC-84 directly with FMCSA. Allow 7–10 business days for the filing to show active in FMCSA's SAFER system.
6. Complete your FMCSA registration and begin operating once your MC authority is active.

Renewal & Continuous Bond Coverage

The BMC-84 freight broker bond is continuous — it remains in force until canceled by the surety or broker with 30 days' notice to FMCSA. Premium is billed annually. Letting the bond lapse for any reason results in immediate suspension of MC authority and removal from FMCSA's licensed broker list.

Frequently Asked Questions

BMC-84 vs. BMC-85 — what's the difference?

BMC-84 is a surety bond (you pay annual premium, surety guarantees up to $75,000). BMC-85 is a trust fund where you deposit the full $75,000 in cash with a financial institution. Most brokers choose BMC-84 because it preserves working capital.

Is the $75,000 bond amount different for Texas?

No. The $75,000 amount is set by federal statute (MAP-21, 2013) and is uniform for all states including Texas. Texas-domiciled brokers operating purely intrastate within Texas may have different TxDOT requirements for intrastate authority, but interstate freight brokerage requires the federal $75,000 BMC-84 regardless of state.

What happens if a carrier files a claim against my bond?

FMCSA notifies the surety, which investigates the claim. Valid claims are paid up to $75,000 from the bond. You must then reimburse the surety. A paid claim also signals financial risk to FMCSA and may trigger a review of your broker authority.

How long does it take to get the bond active with FMCSA?

After the bond is issued, the surety files the BMC-84 electronically with FMCSA. It typically takes 7–10 business days to appear as active in FMCSA's SAFER system. Plan accordingly when applying for new MC authority.

Related: All Texas surety bonds · What is a surety bond? · How surety bond costs are calculated