Shipper-Carrier Transportation Agreement (template)

Last updated November 9, 2026

Summary: a starting template a shipper and a motor carrier can adopt in Ten10 for shipments the shipper sends straight to that carrier (no broker). The shipper fills in a few choices (payment days, cargo liability, minimum insurance), accepts it for its company, and the carrier accepts it the first time it takes one of the shipper's requests in Ten10. Either party can use its own signed agreement instead.

Important: MXP Group LLC, doing business as Ten10 TMS ("Ten10") provides this template and the software only. Ten10 is not a party to this agreement, does not arrange or carry any shipment, and does not give legal advice. The template is written in plain language as a convenience and is not a substitute for an attorney: each party should have its own attorney review it before relying on it. See the Non-Brokerage Operating Policy.

1. Parties and how it's formed

This agreement is between the shipper and the carrier named on it in Ten10 (each a "Party"). It is formed electronically when both have accepted it in Ten10 (the shipper by setting it up for that carrier, the carrier when it accepts a shipment request or sends a quote from that shipper). Ten10 keeps a record of who accepted, when, and from which IP address. Electronic acceptance has the same effect as a handwritten signature under the federal ESIGN Act and the Texas Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

2. Shipments

Each shipment request the carrier accepts in Ten10 (or each quote the shipper chooses) is a shipment order under this agreement. The order's rate, stops, dates, freight description and instructions are part of it.
The carrier is never required to accept a request, and the shipper is never required to offer freight.
The carrier transports each accepted shipment itself, under its own operating authority. The carrier may not broker, re-broker, assign or interline a shipment to another carrier without the shipper's written consent (double brokering is a material breach).
The bill of lading for each shipment is a receipt only; where it conflicts with this agreement, this agreement controls.

3. Rates, accessorials and payment

The rate is the one on the accepted shipment order. Extra charges (detention, layover, lumper, TONU, redelivery and similar) are owed only if the shipper approved them in Ten10 or in writing.
The carrier invoices the shipper with a proof of delivery. The shipper pays within the number of days it chose in Ten10 (30 days if none) after receiving a correct invoice and POD. The shipper pays the carrier directly; Ten10 does not hold, receive or pay any money between the Parties.
The shipper may dispute an invoice in good faith with a written reason; undisputed amounts are paid on time.

4. Carrier's responsibilities

Keep active USDOT registration and operating authority (and, for Mexican and Canadian carriers, the permits needed for each country it operates in), and comply with all applicable laws, including hours of service, drug and alcohol testing, vehicle maintenance and size and weight limits.
Keep at least the minimum insurance the shipper chose in Ten10 (or, if none, $1,000,000 auto liability and $100,000 cargo), name the shipper as certificate holder, and give 30 days' notice of cancellation where the insurer allows.
Use drivers who are qualified and, for hazardous materials, trained and endorsed as required by 49 CFR, with the shipping papers, placards and emergency response information the regulations require.
Protect the freight, follow the shipper's reasonable handling, temperature and security instructions, and tell the shipper promptly about any delay, accident, loss or damage.

5. Shipper's responsibilities

Describe each shipment accurately (commodity, weight, piece count, dimensions, value) and, for hazardous materials, classify, package, mark, label and describe them and give the shipper's certification as 49 CFR requires.
Load and secure freight it loads itself, and give accurate pickup and delivery instructions.
Pay as agreed in section 3.

6. Loss and damage

The carrier is liable for loss of, damage to, or delay of the freight from pickup until delivery, as a motor carrier under 49 U.S.C. 14706 (the Carmack Amendment), up to the limit the shipper chose in Ten10: full actual value, or an amount per pound or per shipment. If no limit was chosen, the limit is full actual value.
Claims: the shipper files a written claim within 9 months after delivery (or after the date delivery should have happened). The carrier acknowledges it within 30 days and pays or declines it within 120 days, following 49 CFR Part 370. A lawsuit on a declined claim must be filed within 2 years after the carrier declines it in writing.
The carrier may not withhold freight or set off claims against amounts it is owed without the shipper's written agreement.

7. Indemnity

Each Party is responsible for, and will defend and indemnify the other against, third-party claims for injury, death or property damage caused by its own negligence or willful misconduct, or its breach of this agreement, in proportion to its fault.

8. Independent contractor; confidentiality

The carrier is an independent contractor with exclusive control of its drivers and equipment. Each Party keeps the other's rates, customers and shipment information confidential, except as needed to perform shipments or as required by law.

9. Term and ending

This agreement continues until either Party ends it with 30 days' written notice (in Ten10 or by email); shipments already accepted are completed under it. A Party may end it at once if the other materially breaches it, loses its operating authority or required insurance, or brokers a shipment without consent.

10. General

This agreement, with the shipment orders, is the whole agreement between the Parties about these shipments and replaces conflicting terms in bills of lading, rate sheets or invoices. Changes must be in writing and accepted by both Parties.
Governed by federal transportation law and, where state law applies, the laws of the state where the shipper has its principal place of business, unless the Parties agree otherwise in writing.
If any part is unenforceable, the rest stays in effect.
Ten10 is not a party and has no obligations under this agreement; nothing in it makes Ten10 a broker, carrier or guarantor.

Template version 2026-11-09. Questions about Ten10: hello@getten10.com.