Trucking: ICC Regulation on BOL, owner operator, shipper

Question
I drive auto transport as a subcontractor.  My BOL says a vehicle pays $700. so I agree to haul it.  After I have delivered the vehicle the company I haul for either reduces the freight or does not collect on their invoice and they subtract this from my settlement.  Is this legal?  This is printed on my BOL "ICC REGULATION PROHIBITS ANY DEDUCTIONS FROM THE AMOUNT OF THIS BILL AND REQUIRED PAYMENT IN FULL FROM THE CARRIER"

Answer
Mike, this sounds like an old BOL form since the ICC has been discontinued.  The price the shipper pays the carrier or broker is governed by the contract between them or the carriers published terms of service if there is no contract.  The amount the broker pays the carrier is likewise controlled by the contract between the two.  I assume you are operating as an owner operator under the carriers operating authority.  As such your compensation is agreed between you and the carrier and should be in writing wither it's so much per mile or a percentage of the haul.  I assume the $700 is what the shipper paid the carrier.  Are you operating under a contract with the carrier?  if not you should be, and the contract should spell out the terms of your compensation regardless if the carrier collects or not.

Hope this helps.  Jim.