Are you wondering what items a moving company can’t take? When you’re planning a move, the logistics of packing and transporting your belongings can be overwhelming. Professional moving companies are there to help, ensuring your items are safely transported to your new home. However, certain items cannot be transported by moving companies due to safety, legal, or liability concerns. Understanding these restrictions in advance can save you time and prevent last-minute surprises.

Here’s a guide to help you understand:

• items that moving companies typically won’t take
• items that moving companies can take only if certain conditions are met
• items that you should take, even if the moving company can

Items a Moving Company Won’t Take

1. Hazardous Items

• Flammables: Gasoline, lighter fluid, matches, oil, and propane tanks pose significant fire hazards and are strictly prohibited. Items containing gasoline, such as lawnmowers, should be run dry or emptied.
• Chemicals: Paints, stains, paint thinners, and other chemicals can be hazardous and smelly and, if spilled, ruin other items.
• Combustibles: Aerosol cans and other airtight items can combust when exposed to heat. Most moving companies will take cans when temperatures are low, but soda cans on a hot summer’s day can burst and make a mess on your belongings.
• Contaminated Items: Items with hazardous material on them, such as mouse droppings or bugs, will not be allowed on the moving truck. These items can contaminate your other belongings, the truck, and the moving pads.

2. Pets

Moving companies cannot transport pets. You’ll need to make separate arrangements to move your furry, feathered, or scaly friends.

Items a Moving Company Won’t Take Unless Certain Conditions Are Met

3. Food

Perishable foods can spoil during transit, leading to unpleasant odors and attracting pests. If you must move food, opt for non-perishable items like canned goods and move the rest yourself or donate them to a food bank.

4. Plants

Many moving companies avoid transporting plants due to their fragility and potential for harboring pests. Additionally, interstate moves often have regulations concerning the transport of plants to prevent the spread of pests and diseases. If you can’t move them yourself, check with your moving company beforehand. Certain conditions must be met for a moving company to take plants.

5. Special Regulations

• Firearms: Moving firearms requires special handling and legal compliance. Ensure your moving company is aware and compliant with these strict regulations.

• Vehicles: While some moving companies offer vehicle transport services, it’s not standard for all. So, double-check to confirm they are capable and insured to do so before choosing a mover.

Items You Should Take, Not the Moving Company

6. Items of High Liability

• Expensive Items: If possible, you should move jewelry, cash, and other high-value items yourself. That way you have the peace of mind that they are moved safely into your new home and not misplaced. When dealing with expensive items you can’t fit in your car, like an antique grandfather clock or a large painting, it is important to look into the moving company and ensure they are insured enough to move the high-value item in case something happens.

• Irreplaceable Items: Most moving companies can take important documents (like passports and birth certificates) and heirlooms. However, it is recommended that you keep these with you. Again, a moving company can take these, but it may cause you extra stress.

7. Items That Should Be Packed But Aren’t

•  Loose items: Belongings that were supposed to be packed but aren’t can very easily get lost during the move. For this reason and many others, a moving company won’t take loose items. Some moving companies won’t even take open-top boxes for this reason. If you are unsure how to pack something or will run out of time, reach out to your mover before your move.

• Fragile Items: It shouldn’t need to be said, but any fragile item that should be in a box but is not, has a slim chance of making it to the next stop. For this reason, some people choose to put difficult-to-pack items like table lamps and/or small art in their personal vehicles. If that is not an option, your movers can pack it the day before or during your move if given notice, so they have the supplies.

Check out our Moving & Packing Tips for great ideas on how to pack your belongings in advance.

Have a Top Notch Moving Experience

Knowing what items a moving company cannot take ensures a smoother moving process. By preparing accordingly and making alternative arrangements for these restricted items, you can minimize stress and focus on the excitement of settling into your new home. So, be sure to check with your movers in advance so you have time to come up with a plan.

At Top Notch Moving, we are committed to providing you with all the information and support you need for a successful move. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance with specific moving needs. Happy moving!