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7 Mistakes You’re Making with FMC Compliance (And How Today’s 11:00 AM Update Fixes Them for Third Party Logistics Providers)

  • Writer: Lanta LLC
    Lanta LLC
  • Jul 7
  • 2 min read

The June 2026 deadline for OSRA billing mandates has passed, and the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has shifted from education to aggressive enforcement. If your demurrage and detention (D&D) invoices aren’t airtight, you’re sitting on a liability powder keg.

A detailed digital shipping invoice on a tablet showing OSRA-required data fields like Container ID and Clock Start/Stop.

The Cost of Compliance Friction

The recent $22.67 million penalty against MSC has redefined the stakes. The FMC now views repeated billing errors: even unintentional ones: as unlawful "unreasonable practices" under 46 U.S.C. § 41102(c). Many 3PLs are still making these seven critical mistakes:

  1. Data-Poor Invoices: Failing to include mandatory OSRA data elements like container IDs and clock start/stop times.

  2. Billing the Wrong Party: Issuing invoices to entities without a direct contractual relationship.

  3. Slow Billing: Missing the tight OSRA timeframes for invoice issuance.

  4. Tariff Ambiguity: Operating with vague tariffs that can trigger daily fines.

  5. Ignoring the "Incentive Principle": Charging fees that don't actually incentivize cargo movement.

  6. Weak Dispute Pathways: Lacking a clear, 30-day resolution process for shippers.

  7. No Compliance Oversight: Treating FMC rules as "operational noise" rather than a core business function.

Lanta Logistics high-capacity warehouse showing integrated transportation and branded equipment.

Why Today’s Update Matters

Today's 11:00 AM FMC advisory clarifies that daily fines apply for every day a tariff remains inaccurate. This makes real-time visibility and SKU management critical for any 3PL Maryland operator handling ocean freight. At Lanta Logistics, we eliminate this friction by integrating compliance data directly into our WMS fulfillment platform.

Graphic showing Lanta HQ on the I-95 corridor with multimodal connectivity across land, sea, and air.

Whether you need a food-grade warehouse or a Hazmat certified 3PL, your partner must provide more than just space: they must provide a regulatory shield. Our managed logistics services are built on the enterprise standards required to navigate the Mid-Atlantic’s complex regulatory landscape.

Lanta Logistics info sheet highlighting 3PL/4PL capabilities and compliance certifications.

Stop gambling with your bottom line; contact Lanta Logistics today to secure a compliant, high-performance supply chain.

 
 
 

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