What Not to Pack When Moving: Non-Allowable Items Explained

Why Do Companies Have Non-Allowable Items They Don’t Move?

There are a host of reasons why items might be put on the non-allowable items list. To help you understand why, here are the four main reasons movers cannot transport certain items. Oftentimes, items that make the non-allowable list are considered hazardous to transport long distances. These could be items like chemicals, gasoline, or flammables like fireworks and matches. For the safety of everyone else on the road, as well as all of the other goods being transported in the moving vehicle, items like these are non-allowable. Laws can change state by state or regionally concerning the...

List Of Non-Allowable Items

Now that we’ve gone over the reasons why movers can’t move certain items, let’s get into what items are on the non-allowable list.

1. Potentially Hazardous Materials

While this may sound obvious, you might be surprised at all the different items that are considered hazardous. Let’s go over some of them. Hazardous materials include: Fireworks Lighter fluid, matches, cigarette lighters, candles, fire extinguishers Gasoline, kerosene, or other petroleum products Yard equipment containing fuel Car batteries, motor oil, antifreeze Paint, primer Acids, ammonia Many of these items are dangerous or have legal complications when transported, so make sure to check your moving company’s non-allowable items list on their website and call them with any questions you...

2. Firearms and Ammunition

It probably comes as no surprise that movers cannot transport your firearms or ammunition. Because of the hosts of legal complications and regionally changing laws, you must find other means of transporting your firearms and accessories to your new home.

3. Liquor, Cleaning Supplies, and Other Chemicals

As mentioned earlier, liquor falls under the non-allowable items list due to changing laws state by state. Some other non-allowable liquids include things like bleach, household cleaners, paint thinners, primers, pesticides, aerosol cans, weed killers, or rodent poisons.

4. Foods and Other Perishables

This is a more obvious non-allowable item. Who wants to drive a moving truck for two days cross country to finally arrive at the destination and open the truck to the smell of rotten cheese? Perishable foods should be eaten, disposed of, or given away before moving day. There’s no way that your perishable food items will survive the long, hot drive to your new home. So make sure you are prepared and your fridge is thoroughly cleaned and emptied before moving day rolls round.

5. Livestock and Pets

It will probably come as no surprise that another item on the non-allowed moving list is pets. Moving companies cannot transport pets for many reasons. For one, the journey moving a pet cross country in the back of a moving truck would be a terrible experience for your companion. It can be hot, claustrophobic, and very confusing or stressing to an animal to be moved this way. It will be much easier and healthier if you arrange other moving plans for your furry or feathered friend, that way you won’t need to worry and you’ll spare your pet a lot of anxiety. Another live thing that movers...

7. Heat-Sensitive Items

A heat-sensitive item is anything that can be modified by long exposure to high temperatures. As the back of a moving truck can get quite hot, make sure to pack any heat-sensitive items in your own vehicle. A few examples of heat-sensitive items include: External hard drives Record albums Cassette tapes Videotapes Musical instruments This concludes our list of what you shouldn’t pack when you are moving! We hope this list has been informative and that you feel more prepared knowing what items are on the non-allowable list. If you are getting ready for a move in the near future, or have any...