If you intend to hire a professional moving company, you should know that there are certain items they won't permit on the truck.
FOOD
Unfortunately, movers won’t be able to keep perishable food items cool during a move. The good news: Your movers will be able to move unopened non-perishable items, such as canned goods, soups, rice, pasta – and basically anything else left in your pantry.
High-value items
Many moving companies will not transport high-value items such as money, checkbooks, expensive jewelry, and collectible art. This is because if you choose to buy full-value protection, your mover will be responsible for the actual cash value of any non-repairable or lost items.
High-value items aren't limited to those with a high monetary value. Your movers should not handle your important documents, including medical records, and anything with sentimental value. Plan to take photo albums and other irreplaceable items with you.
PLANTS
Be mindful that movers might not be permitted to transport certain plants to your new state.
According to the National Plant Board, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and plant health agencies in all 50 states “regulate the shipment of nursery and greenhouse stock to reduce the spread of harmful insects, diseases, and other pests.” Therefore, before packing your plants for the move, ensure you consult your State Plant Regulatory Official.
For a local move, we recommend packing and transporting the plants yourself. Make sure all potted plants are wrapped and secured with plastic wrap to prevent any damage during the car ride. If you're moving long-distance or prefer not to deal with moving your plants, consider offering them to the new homeowners or gifting them to friends and neighbors.
Nail polish and nail polish remover
Movers will not transport your nail polish or polish remover. This is due to their high flammability under specific conditions (like exposure to an open flame or heat). These hazardous products (and all chemicals) should be handled cautiously when relocating to a new home. If you’re moving a long distance, we highly recommend discarding them and purchasing new ones upon arrival at your new residence.
Outdoor equipment
You might not be able to transport your lawn and pool equipment. Acids and treatment chemicals are considered hazardous materials and should be disposed of before moving day or left for the new owners. This also applies to weed killers, fertilizers, and pesticides. If you're uncertain about moving a product, consult your moving company.
Typically, you can transport your lawn and outdoor equipment, like a generator. Just remove as much gas and oil as possible from the system several days before loading it onto the moving truck. This will give you ample time to dispose of the gas and oil properly according to local environmental regulations.
Grill and barbecue supplies
While your movers can transport your actual grill or smoker, some of the items associated with them can’t be moved. Since charcoal and lighter fluid are extremely flammable, you won’t be able to take them with you. And if you use a gas grill, your propane tanks will have to be empty before they can be loaded on the moving truck. A clean grill won’t get the other items being loaded on the truck dirty.
PETS
Most people realize moving companies won’t move their dog or cat. The trucks aren’t climate-controlled, there’s no fresh air, and there’s a risk of items falling and injuring your pet. But the same holds true for smaller animals like hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, birds, lizards and snakes. Moving companies won’t allow them on the truck either.
Firearms and ammunition
This may seem obvious, but movers will not transport firearms or ammunition. It doesn’t matter what type of gun it is, what size it is, and whether you’re just transporting the ammunition. Each state has its own regulations, complicating the matter even more. The best and easiest thing to do is to entrust your firearms and ammunition with a federally licensed firearm dealer who can ship them to you. It is well worth the price to avoid worrying about transporting the gun across state lines yourself.
Fireworks
Here’s another one that should come as no surprise: fireworks. While they technically need a spark to ignite the heat of being enclosed in a hot truck alone won’t set them off , every state has its own regulations regarding fireworks, and many towns and cities further restrict their use.
Cleaning supplies
Windex, bleach and other cleaning supplies and many other products containing flammable materials, but movers are also concerned about one of these items leaking and damaging other items on the truck.
Since you’ll need products to clean your home as you move in, you may want to set aside cleaning products to travel with you. Or donate them to friends or family and purchase replacements at your new home.
Liquor
Your movers may refuse to transport your alcohol. Liquor laws vary by state, and some states have restrictions on the amount of alcohol you can bring with you into the state for personal consumption. Not to mention alcohol is flammable. If you pack it without your movers knowing and it ignites, you could be liable for the damage.
Transporting alcohol in a moving truck is risky for another reason. Most moving trucks are not climate-controlled, and extreme temperatures, humidity and light can damage wine and expensive bottles of alcohol.
Other hazardous materials
Hazardous materials are absolutely out of the question when it comes to loading a moving truck. Fortunately, many of these items can be easily disposed of before the move. Hazardous materials include fertilizer, paints, aerosols, pesticides, motor oil, batteries and acids. Anything that is flammable or potentially explosive is considered a no-go for moving companies.
To dispose of these materials before the move, make a trip to your county’s local hazardous waste facility drop-off center. Most counties throughout the country have several places to drop off hazardous chemical-containing items to ensure that these materials are disposed of correctly. Do not under any circumstances drop hazardous materials in your garbage. This could present a danger to the public, the environment and those picking up your trash.
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