Every day, moving companies all across America help families safely relocate their belongings from Point A to Point B. These professionals have considerable experience transporting even the most fragile items, and with their help, you can dramatically reduce the amount of time it takes to get situated in your new home. With that said, it’s important to remember that moving companies do have some restrictions on what they can transport that you should know before planning your next move. Read on to learn more about what movers won’t move, and what you should do when a moving company can’t transport certain items.

What Will Movers Not Take?

Just like the USPS’ restrictions when it comes to shipping potentially hazardous materials, moving companies must also adhere to certain rules when transporting items for either safety or liability reasons. In addition, state and local authorities may have different laws and regulations governing which items may be deemed unsafe to transport due to health or environmental concerns. Some of these items include flammable materials, combustible chemicals, and compressed gases. Be aware that specific moving companies may have different restrictions on what they will transport, so it’s important to check with them before packaging certain items.

Moving Companies’ Restricted Items

Some of the restricted items movers won’t move include oxygen tanks, fireworks, gunpowder or ammunition, matches, gasoline, and other materials that could potentially combust during transport. Similarly, matches or lighter fluids are also prohibited due to the fire hazard they pose. Most moving companies will also avoid transporting corrosive materials, poisons, batteries, or chemicals that produce noxious fumes. Additional restricted items include illegal substances, live plants, and household pets or other animals.

What to Do

If some of the belongings you intend to move are among these restricted items, it’s a good idea to package them separately ahead of time and make arrangements to move them in your personal vehicle. You can also consider having a friend or loved one hold on to some of your possessions so you can pick them up after the moving company has finished the job. Alternatively, you can choose to donate or give away certain items you don’t expect to need when you arrive at your new home, like cleaning supplies or pool chemicals.

It’s also recommended to carry any valuables or family heirlooms in your vehicle whenever possible. If you’re low on space, you can consider renting a storage unit to safely store your belongings until you can pick them up later. Just remember that storage units have similar restrictions on housing many of the same hazardous items that movers won’t transport, so be sure to check with the storage company for a comprehensive list of what items are prohibited.

Your Trusted Moving Team

When it’s time to move into your new home, rely on Fox Moving & Storage of Chattanooga for expert help at an affordable price. With as little as an hour’s notice, our team can be ready and on-site to get the job done right. Aside from simply moving your belongings, we can also assist with safely packaging your items for you. We can even bring essential packaging supplies straight to your door, including boxes, moving blankets, tape, and wardrobe boxes. Want to check what our movers won’t move or book your move? When you’re ready to get started, contact us online to receive a fast, upfront quote and we’ll guide you through the moving process every step of the way.