46 CFR § 520.6 - Retrieval of information.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s520.6"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 520.6 - Retrieval of information."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "520.6"
section_name: "Retrieval of information."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "REGULATIONS AFFECTING OCEAN SHIPPING IN FOREIGN COMMERCE"
part_number: "520"
part_name: "CARRIER AUTOMATED TARIFFS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "5 U.S.C. 553; 46 U.S.C., 40101-40102, 40501-40503, 40701-40706, 41101-41109, 46105."
regulatory_source: "64 FR 11225, Mar. 8, 1999, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "520"
---


# 520.6 Retrieval of information.

(a) *General.* Tariffs systems must present retrievers with the ability to:

(1) Search for commonly understood tariff objects (*e.g.,* commodities, origins, destinations, etc.) without restricting such search to a specific tariff;

(2) Search a tariff for a rate on the basis of origin, destination and commodity;

(3) Employ a tariff selection option; or

(4) Select an object group (*e.g.,* rules, locations, groups, etc.) within a particular tariff.

(b) *Search capability.* Publisher must provide the capability to search for tariff matter by non-case sensitive text search. Text search matches for commodity descriptions must result in a commodity or retrievable commodity index list.

(c) *Commodities and TRIs.* Retriever selection of a specific commodity from a commodity index list must display the commodity description and provide an option for searching for a rate (*e.g.,* on the basis of origin/destination) or a TRI list, if multiple TRIs are in effect for the commodity.

(d) *Object groups.* Retriever selection of a specific object group must result in a list of the objects within the group or present a text search mechanism to allow location of an object within the group. For example, selection of the rules object group would present a list of the rules or a text search mechanism for locating specific terms or phrases within the rules.

(e) *Basic ocean freight.* The minimum rate display for tariffs must consist of the basic ocean freight rate and a list of all assessorial charges and surcharges that apply for the retriever-entered shipment parameters. The tariff must indicate when other rules or charges apply to a shipment under certain circumstances.

(f) *Displays.* All displays of individual tariff matter must include the publication date, effective date, amendment code (use codes in appendix A to this part), and object name or number. When applicable, a through date or expiration date must also be displayed. Use of “S” as an amendment code must be accompanied by a Commission issued special permission number.

[64 FR 11225, Mar. 8, 1999, as amended at 89 FR 31, Jan. 2, 2024]