What Movers Cannot Move ?

Before setting your moving plans into stone and hiring your professional movers, take note of what items movers cannot move. While it is advised to keep personal belongings to yourself, such as jewelry, money, and private belongings, these items are still allowable under law in the event that they need to be handed over to the movers.

However, there are certain items that are not allowable by law. The moving industry has created a list of non-allowables that all individuals must comply with when hiring a mover from any professional company. The list was decided with everyone’s safety in mind. Professional movers have experienced a variety of odd and random items over the years, and some of these items cannot be safely transported under their regulations. Make sure you know what movers are absolutely not allowed to move under any circumstances:

• Hazardous materials. This is a pretty broad term, but there are plenty of items that fall under this category. A lot of individuals may not consider certain items as hazardous, but it is best to know beforehand so the items can be moved separately or given away. Some hazardous items include paint thinner, nail polish, SCUBA tanks, weed killer, household batteries, car batteries, charcoal lighter fluid, fire extinguishers, loaded guns, matches, fertilizer, chemistry sets, propane tanks, lamp oil, liquid bleach, fireworks, aerosols, pool chemicals, fertilizer, gasoline, and more.
• Perishables. Typically, no food items are allowed by movers. Professional movers don’t want to have to carry something that may go bad over a long distance. If the item spoils, it can cause an unsavory odor to the drivers for the duration of the trip, as they may not be able to locate the source of the smell. This can also cause rot and fungus, which may do damage to the other items in the truck. If the move is over 24 hours, perishables are not allowed. Some examples of perishables include opened food products, frozen food, produce, and plants.
• Personal records and official documents. If a mover has to transport an important file, it can greatly increase their liability. Typically, movers will say no to items such as IRAs, tax records, deeds, cash, deposit slips, stocks, wedding documents, address books, and other professional files.
• Bullets, firearms, ammunition, and other weapons.

I Have Some of These Items – How Do I Move Them?

If you possess some of the non-allowables on the mover’s list, you may be wondering what the best way to transport them is. Just because the movers can’t move them doesn’t mean they need to be thrown out. There are several ways in which you can safely and effectively transport your non-allowables to your new home.

If you have a leftover product or hazardous material that you wish to keep but cannot transport, it is always best to give it to a friend or a neighbor. Find someone who can use the materials so that they don’t go to waste. However, if you need to get rid of them, there are ways to safely dispose of hazardous materials. Contact your local health department for directions on how to dispose of or safely transport your materials. Never dump the products or burn them, as this can be highly dangerous.

Movers may only transport perishables if the duration of the trip is under one day, and if they are properly packed. You can load some foods into coolers to keep them from going bad. If the movers do not require any servicing during the transport of the items, it may be easy for them to bring some perishables along.

Store your personal documents and files in a box or briefcase that you can keep with you at all times. Load these items into your own car or with your own belongings during transport.