US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) declared its temporary procedures to process charge complaints

FMC declared its interim methods to review, investigate and judge charge complaints.
Under the new process, a charge complaint with sufficient information will be investigated by FMC staff in the Office of Investigations.
The carrier will be reached by Commission staff as part of the investigation to respond to the complaint and justify the charge.
If the carrier’s charge is not in compliance, the Office of Enforcement will recommend FMC issue an order that shows cause to the carrier to formally judge the charging complaint.
The carrier must show why it should not be ordered to repay the fees or charges paid or waive the fees in question.
The commission will give a decision and order a refund or release of charges that are not in compliance with the law.
The Commission may then also begin a separate civil penalty proceeding with the Commission’s Administrative Law Judge for consideration of penalties.
An initial decision to not refer a charge complaint to the Office of Enforcement does not stop a party from filing a formal complaint with the Commission.
A party may also seek alternative dispute solution services by reaching the Commission’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services.

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