Electronic Tariff Filing System (ETFS)

The Electronic Tariff Filing System (ETFS) is an Internet-based system through which local exchange carriers (LECs or carriers) must submit any interstate tariffs and associated documents to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Tariffs contain carrier's rates, terms, and conditions for providing certain interstate wireline telecommunications services. The public may also use ETFS to view and access tariffs and associated documents.

ETFS and tariffs are administered by the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau, Pricing Policy Division (opens new window). For more information about FCC tariffs, please visit: https://www.fcc.gov/general/tariffs-0 (opens new window).

Base Documents

Pursuant to 47 CFR Section 61.16, carriers that file interstate tariffs are required to keep on file with the FCC a complete tariff which incorporates all effective revisions, as of the last day of the preceding month. If tariff revisions were filed that became effective up to and including the last day of the month, a new Base Document incorporating those revisions must be submitted via ETFS within the first five business days of the following month. There is no fee to file a Base Document.

Application Filing Fees

Applicants must submit standard tariff filings, complex tariff filings (large), complex tariff filings (small), and applications for special permission for waiver of the Commission's tariffing rules by logging into ETFS and accessing the appropriate "Filing Type." When a carrier submits a tariff filing or application on ETFS, it must also separately pay the associated processing fee using the Commission's Registration System (CORES), which can be reached either at https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do (opens new window) using an existing FCC Username account, or through the CORES' FCC Registration Number (FRN) access page at https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/paymentFrnLogin.do (opens new window).

Effective March 2, 2023, the New Application Processing Fees are as follows:

APPLICATION FORMS# FEE AMOUNT PAYMENT TYPE CODE
Standard Tariff Filing FCC Form 159 $1,040 CQK
Complex Tariff Filing (Large)
  • Annual access charge tariffs, new or restructured rate plans.
  • Large - all price cap LECs and entities involving more than 100 LECs.
FCC Form 159 $7,300 CQL
Complex Tariff Filing (Small)
  • Annual access charge tariffs, new or restructured rate plans.
  • Small - other entities.
FCC Form 159 $3,650 CQM
Application for Special Permission for Waiver of Tariff Rules FCC Form 159 $420 CQN

See 47 CFR Section 1.1105; Amendment of the Schedule of Application Fees Set Forth in Sections 1.1102 through 1.1109 of the Commission's Rules, MD Docket No, 20-270, Report and Order, 2022 WL 17886514, FCC 22-94 (opens new window) (Dec. 16, 2022); FCC, Schedule of Application Fees, 88 Fed. Reg. 6169 (Jan. 31, 2023). Note that companies seeking a waiver of the Commission's accounting rules must file their applications electronically by accessing the appropriate "Inbox" in the "Submit a Non-Docketed Filing" module in the Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) (https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs (opens new window)) (INBOX-1.1105) and must use CORES to pay the associated $4,925 processing fee.

The FCC's Financial Operations Group Help Desk provides assistance with making payments and is staffed on business days from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET and can be reached by telephone, at 1-877-480-3201 (select option 6), or by email, at ARINQUIRIES@fcc.gov.

People With Disabilities

Alternate formats are available for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), by sending an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or by calling the FCC's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice) or (202) 418-0432 (TTY).

Questions

Questions or comments regarding ETFS may be submitted in writing to Geneva Smith Butler or Todd Mitchell, via email at etfs@fcc.gov.