FAR 52.247-7—Freight Excluded.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 52.247-7, Freight Excluded, is a transportation clause used in solicitations and contracts for transportation or transportation-related services when the Government wants to carve out certain shipments from the contractor’s scope. The clause identifies specific categories of freight that are excluded: shipments better moved by parcel post or a small package carrier, shipments of unusual value, explosives and other dangerous articles, household goods, commodities in bulk, commodities that could injure or contaminate other freight, and shipments the Government chooses to move in its own vehicles. In practice, the clause tells contractors that not every shipment tendered under the contract is eligible for movement under the contract’s rates and service terms, and it preserves Government flexibility to use other transportation methods where they are more economical, safer, or operationally preferable. It also helps avoid disputes by making clear that certain high-risk, special-handling, or Government-controlled movements are outside the contract’s transportation obligation. The clause is prescribed only when the contracting activity has identified commodities or shipment types for exclusion, so it is a targeted scope-management tool rather than a universal transportation clause.
Key Rules
Clause used for excluded shipments
This clause is inserted in transportation or transportation-related service solicitations and contracts when specific commodities or shipment types have been identified for exclusion. It is not a general transportation clause for all procurements; it applies only when the Government has determined that certain movements should be kept outside the contract scope.
Parcel and small-package exclusion
Shipments that can be moved more advantageously or economically by parcel post or a small package carrier are excluded. The practical effect is that the contractor cannot assume responsibility for shipments that are better handled through standard mail or commercial parcel services.
Special-risk freight excluded
Shipments of unusual value, explosives, and other dangerous articles are excluded from the contract. These items typically require special security, handling, regulatory compliance, or carrier qualifications that may not fit the contract’s ordinary transportation terms.
Household goods excluded
Household goods are specifically excluded from the scope of the contract. This prevents the transportation contract from being used for personal-property moves that are often governed by separate rules, rates, and service requirements.
Bulk and contaminating commodities excluded
Commodities in bulk and commodities injurious or contaminating to other freight are excluded. These shipments may require specialized equipment, segregation, or cleaning measures that make them unsuitable for ordinary freight transportation arrangements.
Government vehicle option preserved
Shipments that the Government elects to move in Government vehicles are also excluded. This preserves agency discretion to use its own fleet or other Government-controlled transportation instead of the contractor’s services.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine whether any commodities or shipment types should be excluded before using the clause, and include the clause in the solicitation and contract when appropriate. The contracting officer must ensure the contract scope clearly reflects the excluded categories so the contractor understands which shipments are not covered.
Agency/Transportation Activity
Identify the shipment categories that should be excluded based on cost, safety, handling, or operational considerations. The agency must also decide when to move shipments in Government vehicles rather than under the contract.
Contractor
Recognize that excluded shipments are outside the contract scope and should not be treated as covered traffic unless separately authorized. The contractor must plan operations, pricing, and service commitments around the fact that these categories may be diverted to other transportation methods.
Shippers/Originating Offices
Route freight in accordance with the exclusion list and avoid tendering excluded shipments to the contract when another method is required or more economical. They should coordinate with transportation officials when shipment characteristics fall into an excluded category.
Practical Implications
This clause is mainly a scope-control tool: it prevents the contractor from being obligated to carry shipments that are better handled elsewhere or that pose special handling risks.
A common pitfall is assuming that all freight generated by the agency is covered by the transportation contract; users must check whether the shipment falls into one of the excluded categories.
Contracting officers should make sure the exclusion list is operationally clear, especially for borderline cases like small parcels versus freight, or bulk commodities versus packaged goods.
Because dangerous articles, unusual value items, and contaminating commodities are excluded, agencies should coordinate early on packaging, security, and routing to avoid delays or improper tenders.
When the Government elects to use its own vehicles, contractors should not expect those movements to generate contract performance obligations or compensation under this clause.
Official Regulatory Text
As prescribed in 47.207-3 (d)(2) , insert a clause substantially as follows in solicitations and contracts for transportation or for transportation-related services when any commodities or types of shipments have been identified for exclusion: Freight Excluded (Apr 1984) Excluded from the scope of this contract are shipments that can be more advantageously or economically moved via parcel post or small package carrier; shipments of unusual value, explosives and other dangerous articles, household goods, commodities in bulk, commodities injurious or contaminating to other freight; and shipments that the Government may elect to move in Government vehicles. (End of clause)