Current textIn force on June 1, 2015Source: annual CFR editions 2001–2016

§ 387.401 Definitions.

Current wording, in the annual edition revised as of Oct. 1, 2001.

govinfo, 2014 edition ↗

Compare with

Before Jan. 1, 2017 the record is one snapshot per annual CFR edition, revised as of October 1. This is the 2014 edition's wording. An amendment that took effect between Oct. 1, 2014 and June 1, 2015 would not appear until the next edition, so check the citations below and the Federal Register for exact effective dates.

49 CFR § 387.401 — Definitions.. Text in force on June 1, 2015. This wording effective October 1, 2001 to present. Source: govinfo, 2014 edition, https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2014-title49-vol5/CFR-2014-title49-vol5-sec387-401. Retrieved from FMCSR.com, https://fmcsr.com/reg/387.401?asof=2015-06-01, on October 26, 2026. Unofficial compilation; verify against the official source.

(a) Freight forwarder means a person holding itself out to the general public (other than as an express, pipeline, rail, sleeping car, motor, or water carrier) to provide transportation of property for compensation in interstate commerce, and in the ordinary course of its business:

(1) Performs or provides for assembling, consolidating, break-bulk, and distribution of shipments; and

(2) Assumes responsibility for transportation from place of receipt to destination; and

(3) Uses for any part of the transportation a carrier subject to FMCSA jurisdiction.

(b) Household goods freight forwarder (HHGFF) means a freight forwarder of household goods, unaccompanied baggage, or used automobiles.

(c) Motor vehicle means any vehicle, machine, tractor, trailer, or semitrailer propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used to transport property, but does not include any vehicle, locomotive, or car operated exclusively on a rail or rails. The following combinations will be regarded as one motor vehicle:

(1) A tractor that draws a trailer or semitrailer; and

(2) A truck and trailer bearing a single load.

Amendment history

2 distinct wordings on file since Oct. 1, 1998

Oct. 1, 2001 → presentannual editions 2001–2016diff vs. previousviewing
Oct. 1, 1998 → Oct. 1, 2001annual editions 1998–2000

A new entry appears whenever the regulatory words change between government snapshots. Day-precise from the eCFR (2017 onward); before that, one snapshot per annual CFR edition (revised as of October 1). Bracketed citations are the Federal Register history printed with the section.