FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 8: Required Sources of Supplies and Services › Subpart 8.7
FAR 8.708 Shipping.
The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.
In plain English
This section explains when delivery happens for shipments and how shipping is arranged. Delivery occurs when the shipment is placed aboard the initial carrier, and that date counts as the delivery time. It also covers Government bills of lading, small-order alternatives, and reimbursement of transportation costs for AbilityOne nonprofit agencies.
Applies to: Ordering offices and contractors shipping under Government bills of lading, including AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies
What it requires
- Include transportation costs paid by AbilityOne nonprofit agencies for small shipments as an item on the invoice
- Reimburse AbilityOne nonprofit agencies for those transportation costs
Key terms: Government bills of lading · initial carrier · small shipments · AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies · excusable delay
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) Delivery is accomplished when a shipment is placed aboard the vehicle of the initial carrier. The time of delivery is the date shipment is released to and accepted by the initial carrier.
(b) Shipment is normally under Government bills of lading. However, for small orders, ordering offices may specify other shipment methods.
(c) When shipments are under Government bills of lading, the bills of lading may accompany orders or be otherwise furnished promptly. Failure of an ordering office to furnish bills of lading or to designate a method of transportation may result in an excusable delay in delivery.
(d) AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies shall include transportation costs for small shipments paid by the nonprofit agencies as an item on the invoice. The ordering office shall reimburse the nonprofit agencies for these costs.
← 8.707 Prices. · 8.709 Payments. →
Rule changes for FAR Part 8
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary FAR Overhaul Parts 8, 12, 13, 15, 38, 44, and 51 ↗ · proposed 2026-09-18 · comments due 2026-10-19
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · final rule 2025-08-27 · effective 2025-10-01
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition ↗ · proposed 2025-01-15 · comments due 2025-03-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Rerepresentation of Size and Socioeconomic Status ↗ · final rule 2025-01-03 · effective 2025-01-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · proposed 2024-11-29 · comments due 2025-01-28
- Federal Acquisition Regulation; Technical Amendments ↗ · final rule 2024-04-22 · effective 2024-05-22
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.