California Collect-On-Delivery Bond
Overview
California requires carriers operating collect-on-delivery (COD) freight services to post this bond before they can legally collect payment on behalf of shippers. It protects shippers and consignees by guaranteeing that funds collected at delivery are properly remitted. If a carrier fails to account for or return those collected payments, a valid claim against this bond can make the damaged party whole. This is a statewide requirement tied directly to your authority to conduct COD freight operations in California.
Who Needs This Bond?
Freight carriers, motor carriers, and trucking operations that accept COD shipments and collect payment from consignees at the point of delivery in California need this bond. This includes independent owner-operators running COD routes, regional trucking companies expanding into California COD service, and freight brokers who take on carrier responsibilities for COD transactions. If your California operating authority or carrier registration requires you to handle collected funds for shippers, this bond is part of your compliance package.
What is this Bond For?
This bond guarantees that a carrier conducting COD freight operations in California will properly collect, hold, and remit payments to the appropriate parties. It protects shippers who entrust a carrier to collect funds on their behalf at the time of delivery. Should a carrier misappropriate, fail to remit, or otherwise mishandle those collected payments, the bond provides a financial remedy. It is a trust mechanism — it backs your obligation to act as a reliable financial intermediary between shipper and consignee.
When is it Required?
Before you can operate as a COD carrier in California, your state registration or carrier authority application will flag this bond as a required filing. The bond must be in place — and proof submitted to the obligee — before your COD operating authority is granted or renewed. Do not wait until your application is under review to start the process. Regulators expect this bond to be active and on file at the time of approval.
Where Does it Apply?
This bond is a statewide California requirement and applies to all COD freight operations conducted within California's borders. It is not limited to a specific city, county, or region — it covers your authority to operate COD services anywhere in the state. Any carrier collecting payment on delivery of goods in California falls under this requirement regardless of where the carrier is headquartered.
How to Buy Online
Click 'Buy This Bond Online' on this page and you will be taken directly to the secure surety portal in a new tab. Complete your application with your carrier details, and your bond documents are processed and delivered digitally — no agent callback needed. Once issued, you receive your bond certificate and can submit proof to the required California authority right away.
Why Bond Titan?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency, a respected name in surety, and gives you direct online access to a nationwide bond catalog without the wait. You do not need to call an agent, sit on hold, or chase down paperwork — everything is handled through the secure surety portal at your pace. For California COD carriers who need to move fast, Bond Titan is the straightforward path to getting bonded and back on the road.