Written by Move and Care Team
Edited and Fact Checked by Taras Kim
Updated: January 10, 2024
Imagine the shock when you get the call that all of your belongings that were being transported in a moving truck have completely burned. And it's not just a simple scarecrow, it's reality: that's exactly what happened to Kenny's family, who lost everything in a fire that happened right in a moving truck on an Illinois highway. The exact cause of the fire has not been determined, but the source was something among the customer's belongings. A disaster like this is a reminder of the dangers of transporting hazardous items. The story was covered by Fox2 News.
The Kenny family's experience shows why moving companies refuse to transport certain items such as flammable chemicals, toxic materials, aerosol cans and more. These items can pose a safety hazard to the truck, its contents, and everyone involved in the move.
Our article will tell you what movers won't move. Both the obvious items and the surprising ones await you. We will also give tips on how to handle these items and how to move them.
Quick Reference - Table of Items Movers Won’t Move
This quick-reference table helps you quickly identify what movers won’t transport. Each item is linked to subsection, where you can learn more and how to handle it.
The No-Move List: 25+ Common and Surprising Items
1. Hazardous Materials
Moving companies steer clear of hazardous materials. These substances pose risks and they can't be moved. Hazardous materials include chemicals, corrosives and also include other dangerous substances:
- Acids (e.g., battery acid, pool chemicals)
- Solvents (e.g., paint thinners, cleaning agents)
- Gasoline (or other flammable liquids)
- Cleaning chemicals (e.g., bleach, ammonia)
- Compressed gas canisters (e.g., propane, helium)
- Pesticides (weed killers, insecticides)
Find out what to do with hazardous materials here: Disposal Tips for Hazardous or Perishable Items
2. Flammable Items
Flammable objects can easily ignite. This is a serious security issue. They are dangerous during transportation. To avoid fires and injuries, moving companies try to stay away from them.
- Fireworks
- Aerosols (e.g., hairspray, spray paint)
- Paint (especially oil-based)
- Charcoal & Lighter Fluid
- Matches
- Motor oil
Would you like to learn more about handling flammable objects? Read Disposal Tips for Hazardous or Perishable Items. Remember to be careful. Flammable objects can cause accidents and injuries.
3. Perishable Items
Moving trucks cannot separately maintain the necessary temperature control for perishable products. Besides, if they are damaged on the way, they will bring a lot of problems and can spoil other things as well:
- Frozen food
- Produce
- Pet food
- Dairy products (e.g., milk, cheese)
- Meats (raw or cooked)
Need more information? Learn more on Disposal Tips for Hazardous or Perishable Items
4. Pets and Animals
Pets require attention during the move. Movers cannot ensure their safe transportation at the same time as the items. Alternative transportation is necessary for your animals.
- Dogs
- Cats
- Exotic animals (e.g., reptiles, birds)
- Fish tanks (with live fish)
- Small rodents (hamsters, guinea pigs)
Learn about Alternative Transportation Services
5. High-Value and Fragile Items
Some items are fragile or valuable. Transportation by a moving truck carries too much risk. It is recommended to use specialized vehicles and loaders with professional skills to transport such goods.
- Firearms
- Antiques
- Expensive wine collections
- Jewelry
- Artwork
- Collectibles (e.g., rare coins, stamps)
Some of the movers are ready to work with such things, their movers are trained and they have all the necessary means to pack all fragile and expensive items and bring them in one piece. Learn more here: Creative Solutions for Moving Large or Unusual Items
How to Handle Prohibited Items
1. Alternative Transportation Services
Certain items can't be moved by regular moving companies. This is due to legality or safety concerns. For these items you need specialized services.
- Firearms: Licensed specialists are needed to transport firearms. You should contact a service that specializes in the safe and legal movement of weapons.
- Pets: Regular trucks are not equipped with the necessary equipment to transport pets. Moreover, . You will need a pet moving service. This service will ensure the safety and comfort of the animals.
- Wine: A climate control system is required to transport valuable wine collections. To do this, you should hire a wine transportation company. They will take care of the safety of your bottles during the move.
These services ensure that your items are moved securely and legally.
2. Disposal Tips for Hazardous or Perishable Items
Hazardous and perishable items should be disposed of. Transporting them involves too many risks and is often more expensive than buying new items. Here's what you can do.:
- Hazardous materials: Items such as cleaning chemicals for motor oils and paints should not be transported in trucks. This is necessary for security reasons. They must be disposed of at a local hazardous waste recycling facility.
- Perishable goods: Goods such as frozen foods and fruit and vegetable products must be consumed. Or they can be given away or thrown away. They won't survive the move.
- Pet food: Not all pet food belongs to the same category. You can donate non-perishable pet food. If we are talking about perishable products, throw them away.
Check local disposal resources for safe options.
3. Creative Solutions for Moving Large or Unusual Items
Delicate items and/or special fragile items require special handling. Movers are often willing to work with many such items, but this will require additional expenses and time spent:
- Heavy Items (e.g., pool tables, large furniture): Hire a moving company that specializes in transporting large items. Be prepared for the fact that if you have a lot of them, you may need to hire a large team and several trucks.
- Delicate or Valuable Items (e.g., art, antiques): Such items require individual packaging and professional, careful handling. If you are looking for a similar service, try searching for "white glove moving".
- Unusual Items (e.g., pianos, sculptures): Such items include experience and special equipment. Look for movers who provide services for transporting such items.
FAQs
Answer: Yes, most movers will pack your clothes for you. However, people often prefer to pack themselves, including clothes, in order to save money. But you can be sure that movers will transport your clothes, whether they are packed by them or by you.
Answer: Of course! In reality, most people pack their own things, while they pay moving companies only for loading/unloading and transportation. However, it is better to entrust delicate or fragile items to professionals. Find out if the movers are ready and for what price they will pack and transport your valuables.
Answer: As a rule, movers will transport the already assembled furniture and do not disassemble it. However, this does not work if the items are too large. In this case, the movers disassemble the furniture. Often movers are ready to disassemble and assemble the furniture back for an additional fee, some movers include this in their services. Pay attention to this if you are transporting large furniture, such as a bed, wardrobe, or the like.
Final Tip
Knowing that movers will not transport, you will avoid trouble and save your belongings. Take care of the prohibited items in advance and remember that our list is only approximate: go through our list and check with the movers if it is possible to transport your belongings. Or ask the company for a list of items that it does not transport.
Also, if you are preparing to move, we recommend that you use our relocation checklist. He will help you arrange the move.
Have a good move!
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