U.S. Federal Maritime Commission Warns Against Use of Unlicensed Shipping Companies

Photo: By Aleksey Stemmer / Shutterstock

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has issued a warning to shippers about using unlicensed companies providing ocean shipping services following a number of complaints.  

The new warning comes after FMC received questions and complaints about five companies shipping cargo and household goods primarly between the U.S. and Brazil.

The five companies named are Fastway Moving and Storage Inc. DBA Dream Cargo, Fastway Moving and Services Corp., Fastway Moving and Trading Inc., Donadel Auto Transport LLC, and Abreu Logistics USA LLC.

Noting that none of these companies holds an ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) license and bond, the FMC said that after using these companies, consumers had not received their goods despite making payment for their shipments. 

“Consumers should work with licensed international shipping companies when shipping personal effects and automobiles overseas,” the FMC said. “Unlicensed companies are not authorized to provide international ocean shipping services.”

The FMC said that it revoked the licenses of Fastway Moving and Storage Inc., Fastway Moving and Services Corp., and Fastway Moving and Trading Inc. between 2014 and 2016, while Donadel Transport LLC and Abreu Logistics USA LLC have never held an OTI license and bond.

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