The United States of America is a huge industrialized country. It has an extensive network of transport routes between the states and foreign states. More than 70% of the goods in the country are transported by road.
Transportation of goods is associated with a risk to the health and life of people who are involved in this business. The country has created organizations that are designed to provide maximum conditions for the safety of drivers, other industry workers and transported goods.
Where carriers are registered
For the registration of carriers in the United States, a special program has been created. It is called the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR). Under this program, all participants in interstate road transport must pay fees once a year. This applies to a wide range of employees who are involved in the transportation of goods and cargo between states.
Who has to pay the dues
When identifying violations related to the registration and payment of contributions to UCR, many questions arise. Some carriers try to prove that they are not required to make contributions. Indeed, some of them are confused about the rules of registration in the program and do not know that they are breaking the law. As you know, ignorance of the law does not exempt from responsibility.
So that carriers know their rights and obligations and do not get into unpleasant situations, we will talk about the categories of industry workers who should pay contributions to the UCR. So, contributions must be made by the following road transport participants who operate in several states:
- private, hired carriers, and even those that are exempt from taxes at the federal level;
- carriers of passengers for hire;
- carriers based in states where the UCR program does not work;
- brokers, freight forwarders involved in interstate transportation;
- leasing companies that rent cars.
Who does not need to contribute to UCR
There are also such categories of carriers that are exempt from annual contributions. These include:
- hired and private carriers who are involved in the transportation of goods and goods only within the state. No state is eligible to charge contributions to the UCR, even if it takes part in the program;
- individual carriers of passengers within the state;
- road carriers in Hawaii, if they are not engaged in transportation for certain categories of shippers.
The UCR program doesn’t work in the territories of the United States and the provinces of Canada.
Who does not participate in the carrier registration program
Not all U.S. states are involved in the program. And you can register with UCR only in the state where it operates. There is no carrier registration program in several states. These are Hawaii, New Jersey, Wyoming, Arizona, Maryland, Florida, Nevada, Oregon, The District of Columbia, Vermont.
If you think that your business registered with one of these states is exempt from paying a contribution to UCR, you are mistaken. You need to do it in a state where it’s available. For convenience, select the state next door.
What will happen if you do not draw contributions
Do you want to live and work peacefully? Then pay annual fees to UCR. If you forget or do not do it for another reason, you will face serious fines up to the detention of the truck. The size of the fines in the states is different. The first violation can cost you anywhere from $100 to $5,000.
Recall that registration in the UCR is done only for a year. It must be renewed at the end of the term. If you don’t have the time or inclination to do this, entrust your re-registration to a special service that will do it for you for a small fee.
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