Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) (FMC-48) Sole Prop or Partnership Bond
Overview
Get bonded with the FMC-48 and your Ocean Transportation Intermediary license application moves forward with the Federal Maritime Commission. This federal bond is a mandatory financial guarantee for sole proprietors and partnerships operating as OTIs — including non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) and ocean freight forwarders. Without it, you cannot legally arrange ocean transportation of cargo for others. Bond Titan makes it fast to purchase online so you can meet FMC requirements without delay.
Who Needs This Bond?
Ocean Transportation Intermediaries structured as sole proprietorships or partnerships are the applicants for this bond. If you arrange the shipment of goods by sea — either as an NVOCC or a licensed ocean freight forwarder — and your business is not incorporated, the Federal Maritime Commission requires this specific FMC-48 form. This bond applies to your business structure, not just your activity, which is why sole props and partnerships file under a different bond type than corporations or LLCs. If you've received FMC licensing instructions and your business is unincorporated, this is the bond you need.
What is this Bond For?
This bond protects shippers and the public from financial harm caused by an OTI's failure to carry out its transportation obligations or comply with federal shipping laws. The Federal Maritime Commission holds the bond as a condition of licensure — it is not insurance for your business, but a guarantee that you will perform your legal duties as an intermediary. If you fail to pay amounts owed to shippers or violate your obligations under the Shipping Act, the bond can be called upon to cover those losses. It is the FMC's primary financial protection tool for regulating OTIs operating as sole proprietors or partnerships.
When is it Required?
Applying for an OTI license with the Federal Maritime Commission is the moment this bond becomes mandatory. The FMC will not approve or maintain your license without a current, valid FMC-48 bond on file. If your bond lapses, cancels, or is otherwise terminated, the FMC can suspend your license until a replacement bond is filed. Purchase this bond before you submit or renew your FMC application to avoid any gap in your operating authority.
Where Does it Apply?
This is a federal bond administered by the Federal Maritime Commission and applies nationwide to all ocean transportation intermediary activity in U.S. commerce. It is not a state-level requirement and is not limited to any single port, state, or region. Any sole proprietor or partnership arranging international ocean freight under FMC authority must maintain this bond regardless of where in the country they are based.
How to Buy Online
Click 'Buy This Bond Online' and the secure surety portal will open in a new tab — that is where you complete your application and purchase your FMC-48 bond. Have your business name, ownership structure, and contact details ready before you start. Once issued, your bond documentation can be filed directly with the Federal Maritime Commission as part of your OTI licensing process.
Why Bond Titan?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency and built for business owners who need to get bonded fast — no agent callbacks, no waiting rooms. Our nationwide catalog includes federal bonds like the FMC-48, so you can buy online at any time and get your documentation quickly. We handle the bond so you can focus on getting your FMC license approved and moving freight.