When most moving companies advertise their services, they tend to state that no job is too big or too small. A good moving company will be accommodating when it comes to transporting all your belongings from your old place of residence to your brand new abode. However, certain items pose a safety risk as far as truck-based transport is concerned, and as such, most moving companies do have rules as to what they can and cannot move. Nathan Howell is the sales manager of Affiliated Movers of Oklahoma City, Inc., a company specializing in local, domestic, and international moves, and he thinks that customers ought to be aware of such restrictions so that they can pack their items accordingly. While the rules might vary from one business to another, the following are some items that most moving companies will not transport:
Anything flammable
Any object that has the potential to spontaneously cause or catch on fire is something that most moving companies will refuse to transport. Items such as household chemicals, fertilizers, propane tanks, paint thinners, fire extinguishers, and matches are generally forbidden as far as moving companies are concerned.
Candles
Many people are surprised to learn that certain types of candles cannot be transported, as there is a risk of leakage. If you’re a candle collector, then ask before you pack up your supply.
Open bottles of alcohol
By law, most moving companies cannot transport open bottles of alcohol. Instead of packing or throwing out those partially used bottles from your bar, you could always throw a party and invite friends over to drink away your supply.
Items that run on gasoline
Companies have varying policies and capabilities when it comes to moving things like motorcycles and lawn mowers that run on gasoline. Affiliated Movers will actually transport such items provided that their gas tanks are mostly emptied prior to the move. Interestingly enough, customers are usually advised to leave a minimal amount of gasoline in items such as motorcycles in case movers need a little help getting them onto and off ramps. But these articles cannot be transported if their tanks are full.
Ammunition
Believe it or not, plenty of moving companies can transport weapons (including decorative swords) provided that owners fill out the necessary release forms. However, one thing that moving companies cannot move is ammunition.
Additionally, moving companies might refuse to transport items such as jewelry, cash, and legal documents. While such items certainly do not pose any type of safety risk, from a liability standpoint, these types of things can be difficult to insure and replace. As such, certain companies would rather not be held responsible, and will therefore instruct their customers not to pack any such items in with their belongings.
Some companies will also advise against including sentimental items and family heirlooms in boxes that are headed for storage. While most companies will do their best to ensure that all items placed into storage end up coming back out, there is always a chance that an item or two will get lost in the mix. And since all the insurance money in the world won’t replace things such as photographs and family keepsakes, it’s a better idea to safeguard those separately or store them in safety deposit boxes instead.
As a customer, it’s important that you strictly adhere to your moving company’s guidelines when it comes to items that they make it a policy not to move. After all, moving companies have rules for a reason, and in many cases, they are simply following their respective states’ laws. If you happen to find yourself unsure about a particular item during the packing process, then either err on the side of caution or contact your moving company and ask about the item in question. Remember, just as your moving company is responsible for transporting your belongings without harming them, you are responsible for following instructions to avoid compromising the well-being of your movers, their vehicles, and the rest of your belongings. By following the rules, you’ll be doing your part to ensure that your move is both safe and uneventful.
