Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) (FMC-48) CORPORATION Bond
Overview
Shippers, freight forwarders, and exporters rely on this bond as financial protection when working with ocean transportation intermediaries. Federal Maritime Commission Form 48 (FMC-48) requires corporations operating as Ocean Transportation Intermediaries to post this bond before handling ocean freight on behalf of U.S. shippers. It guarantees that your OTI business will perform its obligations honestly and in compliance with the Shipping Act. Without it, the FMC will not issue or maintain your OTI license.
Who Needs This Bond?
If you operate a corporation that acts as an Ocean Freight Forwarder or Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) in U.S. foreign commerce, this bond is a non-negotiable federal requirement. It applies to corporations — not individuals or LLCs — filing under the FMC's OTI licensing framework. You need this bond before the Federal Maritime Commission will process or renew your OTI license. If your entity type is a corporation and you move ocean cargo on behalf of shippers, this is your bond.
What is this Bond For?
This bond protects shippers and other parties who suffer financial harm because your OTI corporation failed to fulfill its obligations under the Shipping Act. It holds your corporation financially accountable for unlawful conduct, non-performance, or mishandling of funds in the course of ocean freight intermediary operations. The FMC uses this bond as a prerequisite to confirm that your business has skin in the game. Claims against it are a direct consequence of your failure to meet federal OTI obligations.
When is it Required?
Ongoing compliance is the norm here — this bond must remain continuously in force for as long as your OTI corporation holds a Federal Maritime Commission license. There is no standard expiration date tied to a calendar year; lapse or cancellation of the bond triggers automatic suspension of your OTI license. Your surety will notify the FMC if the bond is being cancelled, giving a short window to replace it before your authority is revoked. Treat this bond as a permanent condition of doing business, not a one-time filing.
Where Does it Apply?
This is a federal bond filed directly with the Federal Maritime Commission, not a state agency. It applies to all U.S. foreign commerce handled by your corporation, regardless of which port or state you operate from. The FMC's jurisdiction covers OTI activity across all U.S. ports, so this bond has nationwide scope by design.
How to Buy Online
Click 'Buy This Bond Online' on this page and you'll be taken directly into the secure surety portal in a new tab. Complete the application for your OTI corporation there, and your bond documents will be generated for submission to the Federal Maritime Commission. The process is fully online — no agent callbacks, no paperwork delays.
Why Bond Titan?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency, a trusted name in surety with access to a nationwide bond catalog. You can buy your FMC-48 corporation bond online right now without waiting on an agent or a fax machine. We built this platform for business owners who need to get licensed and get moving — not sit in a queue.