What Are the Prohibited Items Movers Won’t Move

If you are in charge of the packing process, it’s vital to know which goods movers won’t relocate – you probably don’t want to go through everything again and unpack all your boxes. This can be especially inconvenient if you’re moving in a hurry.

Why Are There Some Items Movers Won’t Move

There is sometimes an elevated level of risk to move certain goods. Even though a professional company can take care of everything for you – tackle the packing process, provide high-quality moving boxes and supplies, and unload your goods once they reach the new address – there are certain limitations in the way they operate. Taking responsibility for an item can damage the reputation of the company, and no one wants to take that risk. Every professional company has its own set of regulations, and as soon as you pick the one that will be in charge of your move, request a detailed list of goods you can’t transport in a relocation vehicle. Be that as it may, here is a list of some of the most common reasons professional companies choose not to relocate certain items:

• They can damage the truck
• They are too fragile and delicate
• The client is not the only owner of a specific item
• There are legal restrictions
• They don’t have the adequate equipment to take care of such goods

The list of non-transportable goods can be extensive, and it usually includes ammunition, gasoline, and other flammable goods. You should also take into account that most companies won’t take responsibility for your pets or your plants – you have to ensure their safety.

Tips to Minimize Mistakes – Ask for a Free Moving Quote Before You Start Packing

The best way to figure out what is allowed and what is not is to request a free estimate before you get down to packing. Make sure you don’t put anything inside the boxes until you know for sure that your chosen movers can move those things. Even though some goods are seemingly innocuous, such as nail polish, or some cleaning chemistry sets, there is a great chance that you will have to remove them from the boxes. Whether you are moving locally or you are planning a long-distance relocation, the same rules apply.

What Not to Pack for Moving – Hazardous Materials, Perishables & the Rest

There are different categories of hazardous substances, but they usually encompass explosives, flammables, and corrosives. There isn’t a moving company that is allowed to relocate such items, as it is forbidden by federal law. Besides, think about the consequences. Those chemicals can burn or explode while in transport, and someone could get seriously injured. It also represents a big threat to the environment. The best you can do is dispose of them properly and buy new ones once you settle in your new home. If you are not sure what to do with those things, you can reach out to the Environmental Protection Agency and ask for their advice.

If you decide not to tell your movers that there are some hazardous goods inside the boxes, you won’t get any compensation in case something happens during the move. In fact, you will be held accountable for any damage caused by this. There is no way to get around this. Simply be honest and talk to your relocation team before you do anything related to the move.

List of Hazardous Items

As we already said, different companies have different lists of forbidden goods. Here you can find some that most professional companies won’t be able to relocate:

• Guns, ammunition, igniters, fireworks, lighters, matches – anything flammable
• Liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, or other petroleum substances
• Poisons such as pesticides or weed killers
• Nail polis
• Aerosol
• Fire extinguishers
• Car batteries
• Candles
• Charcoal

This is a general list; there are a few more goods to be added depending on the professional company you choose. In any case, it’s just not worth the risk to move hazardous goods. All of them can be replaced by new ones as soon as you relocate.

Be Ready to Downsize and Get Rid of Perishables

If you are moving long-distance, don’t even think about shipping food to your new home. Having such perishable goods together with the rest of your belongings could attract different pests and insects. If you don’t want to have your clothing pieces destroyed, don’t pack any food items. This is also true for frozen food: it’s not allowed with the rest of the cargo. Some companies might agree to move boxed or canned items, but you have to check that. In case you are moving locally, certain perishables can be moved, but they have to be safely packed and protected. If there is too much left, think about throwing a moving away party and use those ingredients for some nice cookies.

Besides the perishable ones, here are some additional goods that you have to transport on your own:

• Money
• Pieces of jewelry
• Heirlooms
• Important documents such as contracts, wills, bonds, passports, etc
• Collections – family photos, coins, stamps, etc