Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation

Frequently asked questions

What is NAICS 483113?

NAICS 483113 is the North American Industry Classification System code for Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation. It classifies this business activity for statistical, regulatory, and government procurement purposes. Federal agencies use NAICS codes to collect and publish data about the US economy, determine SBA size standards, and set aside contracts for small businesses.

What licenses and permits does a Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation need?

A Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation typically needs a local business license, a federal EIN from the IRS, and industry-specific permits depending on the sector. Check with your city or county clerk for a general business license, your state's professional or industry licensing board for any required occupational licenses, and your state's tax authority for a sales tax permit if you sell taxable goods or services.

How do I register a Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation business in the United States?

To register a Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation business, first choose your legal structure: sole proprietorship (simplest, uses SSN), LLC (personal liability protection, files with your Secretary of State), or corporation (Form 1120 or 1120-S). Register your business name (DBA) with your county if operating under a trade name. Obtain an EIN from the IRS at irs.gov/ein. Register with your state revenue department for any applicable taxes.

What tax forms does a Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation file with the IRS?

Tax forms depend on your entity type. A sole proprietor files Schedule C with Form 1040 and Schedule SE for self-employment tax (15.3%). An LLC taxed as a partnership files Form 1065 with Schedule K-1s. A C-Corporation files Form 1120 (21% flat rate). An S-Corporation files Form 1120-S. All businesses paying employees file Form 940 (FUTA) annually and Form 941 quarterly. Estimated tax payments are made via Form 1040-ES four times per year.

Is Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation the right NAICS code for my business?

Your NAICS code should reflect your primary business activity — the one generating the most revenue or value. If Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation describes your main line of business, NAICS 483113 is likely correct. If you have multiple distinct activities, you may need separate codes for statistical reporting. For federal contracting, your SAM.gov registration should use the code that best matches the work you perform. Review the official NAICS 483113 description and exclusions to confirm it fits your operations.

What is the UCR (Unified Carrier Registration) program for a Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation?

The UCR program requires all interstate motor carriers, freight forwarders, and brokers to pay an annual fee based on fleet size. Fees range from $41 for the smallest carriers to over $800 for large fleets. Registration opens October 1 each year and must be completed by December 31. Operating without UCR registration subjects you to roadside enforcement penalties during inspections.

Does a Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation need a CDL (Commercial Driver's License)?

You need a CDL to operate vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, vehicles designed to transport 16+ passengers (including driver), or any vehicle transporting hazardous materials requiring placards. CDLs have three classes (A, B, C) and various endorsements (H for hazmat, P for passenger, S for school bus, N for tankers). The FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse requires annual queries for CDL holders.

What are the hours-of-service rules for a Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation?

FMCSA hours-of-service rules limit property-carrying drivers to 11 hours driving after 10 consecutive hours off, within a 14-hour on-duty window, with a maximum of 60 hours on-duty in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days. Passenger carriers have different limits (10 hours driving, 15-hour window). All CDL drivers must use ELDs (electronic logging devices) unless operating under a short-haul or pre-2000 vehicle exemption.

Does a Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation need to join a DOT drug and alcohol testing consortium?

Yes, any owner-operator with a CDL operating under FMCSA authority must enroll in a DOT drug and alcohol testing consortium for pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty testing. The consortium manages your random testing pool and maintains records. Annual MIS (Management Information System) reports are due by March 15 each year summarizing testing data.