girl ready for the move overlay
Posted in Moving Preparation on October 14, 2021
Blake Shaw

Bostonian and residential moving and packing expert. Blake Shaw enjoys bar-hopping, music, and writing insightful content.

A Full List of Items Movers Won’t Move

The list of items movers won’t move due to strict regulations on the transportation of goods or because they are too dangerous is not that short. Still, safety is the top priority. This is why we’ve prepared a definite list of all things to exclude from your list and save a lot of time, nerves, and money.

Learn What Won’t Movers Move and Find an Alternative Solution for Shipping or Get Rid of It

Are you planning to move to another city and just about to start packing your belongings? If you feel anxious about relocating out, this is absolutely understandable since a lot of tasks await you. No matter if you’re moving out for the first time or moved a decade ago, learning about all the objects movers won’t move is of essential importance. Because having to unpack the boxes before putting them on the truck doesn’t sound like fun.

Packing for long-distance moving implies a long to-do list, as well as a long list of things forbidden from being packed in a moving truck. To avoid one of the most common relocation mistakes, make sure to inform yourself about all the rules and follow them accordingly. Here are the simple steps that could streamline the whole process significantly.

Check the Regulations With the Long-Distance Moving Company and the State You’re Relocating To

The first step is, of course, checking the regulations with the cross-country moving company in charge of your move. The best way to communicate about this subject is to have the information in written form (email or mail), so you can be sure you haven’t mixed up or forgotten anything.

The second step is to explore the specific laws of the state you’re relocating to. Although the rules are pretty universal for the whole US territory, there are still exceptions. And for some items, there will not even be an alternative solution for shipping. Once you learn all the rules, it will be much easier to decide what to keep when relocating, exclude from the list, and move efficiently to a new home address.

Find your best moving solution in 2 clicks GET A QUOTE

Hazardous Items Are Definitely Not Welcome on the Truck

The crucial part of every relocation is packing the household. And if you belong to the group of average Americans who own two garages full of things and don’t know what belongings are even stored there, then decluttering is an obligatory preparatory step. No matter if you’re relocating from a house to an apartment or to a house of the same size, minimizing the number of belongings is always highly recommended because it will help you save on relocation costs.

However, making decisions on what to get rid of is not always easy to do, especially when it comes to personal things with sentimental value. However, there are numerous items that are simply not allowed on the truck, because those are considered hazardous. None of the relocation companies will accept these to transport.

Flammable Materials, Sharp Items, Alcohol, and Gas-Based Products Won’t Be Accepted on the Truck

All easily flammable things like bottles under pressure, gas-based, alcohol, or even some cosmetic products should be out of the truck.

One of the things you might forget to do when you move is to ask your cross-country movers what items they cannot move. And the list of those belongings is pretty long. Once you acknowledge what possessions can not be moved, we guarantee that the decluttering process will become significantly faster. Here are the prohibited items you need to leave behind:

  • Aerosol cans/Propane tanks
  • Ammunition
  • Batteries
  • Bleach
  • Car batteries
  • Charcoal/lighter fluid
  • Chemistry sets
  • Cleaning products
  • Illegal items or substances
  • Fertilizers
  • Firearms
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Fireworks
  • Fuels/Oils
  • Kerosene
  • Matches
  • Paint/Varnishes
  • Paint thinners
  • Pesticides
  • Poisons
  • Pool chemicals
  • Scuba tanks
  • Wax candles

Even some cosmetic products like nail polish remover are included in this list, so be cautious while packing bathroom items.

Be Cautious About Packing Mistakes Because the Insurance Company Won’t Cover Any Damages

There is no space to make any mistakes when boxing up those hazardous belongings because, in case of an accident or damage, the insurance company will refuse to cover anything. Moreover, the owner of the hazardous materials will be obliged to pay for everything.

For that and safety reasons, being super cautious while packing all the possessions is of the utmost importance. Don’t forget to take out the gas from the barbecue grill, remove all alcoholic drinks from the list, and eliminate all other belongings that could be potentially dangerous.

bottles under pressure ready for long-distance moving
It's forbidden to pack any of the mentioned belongings due to their hazardous nature

Pets Are Not Welcome on the Truck for One Reason Only – Lack of Suitable Conditions

Relocation with pets implies finding the right transportation solution because pets cannot be transported in a truck full of household goods – it’s not a safe environment. For that reason, scheduling your pet’s transportation on a pet-friendly aircraft is the easiest way to go.

Still, don’t forget there are a few preparatory steps prior to relocating your pet, like visiting a vet for a regular checkup, learning if your pet needs some additional care or vaccinations, or checking if the specific state allows the kind of pet you have. For instance, not all dog breeds are allowed in every US state:

  • Shar-Pei is restricted in Mississippi and Utah,
  • Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky are forbidden or restricted in Iowa, Louisiana, and Michigan.
  • German Shepherd is not allowed in Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, Ohio, and Tennessee.

And this is only a shortlist of all other restricted dog breeds all over the USA. So before you schedule your pet transportation, ensure you check the laws and avoid any unpleasant surprises at the airport.

Our Services

Moving Services

Treat yourself with a white glove long distance moving service that’s based on the inventory list and not weight. This means a price guarantee, transparent move costs and premium moving service.

Learn more Learn more

Packing Service

Sit back and relax. We’ve got packing services covered. We use moving blankets, shrink wrap, bubble wrap, and even custom wooden crating. We will protect and carefully handle your stuff during the move.

Learn more Learn more

Want the First-Class Experience for Your Pet? Hire a Professional Pet Mover to Transport Your Pet Door-to-Door

Relocation is a pretty stressful event for your pet, especially if it has to travel without you. Although there is a pet-in-the-cabin option to book on the plane, it depends on million details like:

  • The size of the pet, their age, and species,
  • The flight duration, destination,
  • Seat position,
  • Type of handheld containers, or
  • The pet food brought on the plane.

Still, the greatest problem with this option is that all the rules differ depending on the company. Airline companies can refuse to let your pet on the flight just before the boarding starts. Not to mention that taking your pet out of the handheld container is strictly forbidden during the flight. Despite the fact that over 2 million pets travel by plane each year in the US, this is still considered a pretty unsafe environment for them.

Taking everything into account, it looks like hiring a professional pet mover is definitely the safest option in this case. They will do everything in their power to ensure that your pet arrives safely to your new home, and the best thing of all is they provide door-to-door delivery, which is the most convenient way both for pets and owners. Just ensure you schedule everything in advance and prepare to welcome your pet, and it’s going to be a fabulous new adventure for both of you!

A little puppy getting ready for a cross-country move
Explore companies specializing in pet relocation to find a safe way of transporting your pet all across the country

Plants Should Not Be on the Packing List Either, But There Is Still a Solution to Take Them With You!

When relocating to a new home, we all strive to take a piece of our old living space and incorporate it into the next home. As expected, plants are one of the favorite pieces on the packing lists of all those who are about to relocate. However, there is a catch when it comes to the transportation of plants.

Since movers usually don’t accept plants on the truck due to their delicate nature, you’ll be forced to find an alternative shipping solution unless you choose to give your leafy friends away. Luckily, USPS and FedEx offer great conditions for plant shipping. All you have to do is pack them safely. To learn more about plants and packaging techniques, take a look at the video below and find out everything about it, or check the Ultimate Moving Guide to find everything explained in detail!

YouTube video

If Any Perishable Food Is Left in the Fridge, Get Rid of It

Perishable stuff like fresh fruits or vegetables, frozen foods, or open containers is not accepted on the truck. The reason is – those types of trucks don’t have cooling systems to keep the food in good condition. Moreover, all the packages usually go to the storage unit first.

In case any vegetables or fruits get spoiled, it can bring a range of problems. For example, insects, mold, and damage to other items.  So before you make a crucial mistake and pack perishable goods into moving boxes, ensure to find a way to get rid of them. It’s a must-do when it comes to final preparations.

Where You Can Donate Food?

Donations are always the most effective way to empty your fridge and get ready for cross-country moving. Besides, this is a great opportunity to actively participate in providing good for the community and helping to reduce waste. So exploring the charities that operate at the local level is another task to add to your relocating to another state checklist. Here are some charities that could be a good fit for your donation:

  • Move for Hunger is a charity that operates all across the USA and Canada and connects thousands of transportation companies that help make this idea works. They usually ask for one palette of donated foods (around 500lbs) and a two-week notice before the date of your move. The best thing of all is that everything can be scheduled through their simple website form.
  • Feeding America is a charity that covers almost the whole US territory. Using their website and browser, you can easily find the food bank in your vicinity. They have even developed their app Mealconnect to facilitate donations, so check how it works.
  • Meals on Wheels is dedicated to helping older people in need of food. They accept donations and have a volunteer network that helps thousands of people to get their meals on the table.
Make sure to donate all surplus food before long-distance moving
In the USA, food waste is estimated to be between 30-40% of the total supply

Consult a Professional Long-Distance Moving Company About All the Rules

Using long-distance moving services is undeniably one of the most effective ways to relocate to another destination. Finding reliable and professional long-distance movers who offer a range of services to make your relocation from the West Coast to the East Coast (or vice versa) easier is another task on your list.

Checking if a relocation company is legitimate is of utmost importance since there are more than 7,000 relocation companies in the USA. This way, you’ll be safe from any relocating scams. And your goods will be in safe hands.

Professional movers will gladly answer any questions you have. So, when choosing auto-transport or maybe packing services, check in with them. So the whole experience goes without stress.

For example, when you hire Long Distance Movers, our crew will gladly help you make a list of items for the move. Give us a call, book your move, and we’ll make sure your moving day goes without a hitch.

Get a Quote

We Cover

© Copyright 2022 Long Distance Movers. All Rights Reserved.
Get a Free Estimate 323-949-2929