Hiring movers can take a huge weight off your shoulders. They’ll pack, lift, load, and transport almost everything you own to get you settled into your new place. But there are some exceptions.
If you’re counting on movers to handle everything from your plants to that box of cleaning supplies, it’s worth knowing ahead of time that certain items are off-limits. Some of these rules may be obvious, like hazardous materials, but others might catch you by surprise. So, what will movers not move? Here’s a closer look at the things you’ll need to plan for yourself.
What Will Movers Not Move?
Before we dive in, let’s quickly cover what items that our moving company, Eco Movers Moving & Storage, does not move.
Items not allowed on Eco Movers trucks or in storage:
- Aerosol cans
- Propane tanks
- Pressurized containers
- Corrosives, chemicals
- Turpentine, solvents
- Lighter fluid
- Flammable liquids
- Paints, stains
- Pets
- Firearms, ammunition
- Matches, fireworks
- Gas, kerosene
- Fire extinguishers
For more information, please review our company policies. Next, let’s cover more generally what items other movers may, or may not be willing to move.
Hazardous Materials
One of the biggest categories movers won’t load are hazardous materials. These are items that can spill, ignite, or explode in the back of a truck. Some common examples are paint, paint thinners, propane tanks, gasoline, charcoal, fireworks, motor oil, household cleaning chemicals, car batteries, and even scuba tanks if they’re still pressurized.
Why Movers Won’t Take Them
The short answer is safety. Moving trucks get hot, bounce around, and sometimes sit for hours in traffic. Mix that with flammable or pressurized items, and you have a recipe for accidents.. On top of that, many of these products are restricted by law, which means moving companies simply aren’t allowed to take them.
What to Do Instead
- Use It up Before Moving: Things like fertilizer, lighter fluid, or half-empty spray cans are best finished off at your current home.
- Dispose Safely: Leftover paint, batteries, and chemicals can be dropped off at a local hazardous waste facility. Many cities also host collection days just for these items.
- Bring It Yourself: If there’s something you really need, like a single propane tank or a set of cleaning supplies, transport it personally in safe containers, and check the rules in your area first.
Perishable Food
Food might seem like something movers would handle, but that’s not the case when it comes to anything that can spoil. Perishable foods like milk, cheese, meat, frozen dinners, fruits, and vegetables won’t make it onto the truck. Even opened pantry items, like a half-used box of cereal or pasta, are usually off-limits since they can spill during transit.
Why They Stay Off the List
Food doesn’t survive well in moving conditions. Without refrigeration, perishables can spoil quickly, creating leaks, odors, and even health hazards. Open packages can also cause messes or invite insects and rodents into the truck, which movers want to avoid at all costs.
What to Do Instead
- Plan Ahead with Meals: Try to eat through as much of your refrigerated and frozen food as you can before moving day.
- Donate What’s Unopened: Local food banks are a great option for sealed, non-expired pantry items.
- Bring a Cooler: For local moves, pack essentials in a cooler and transport them in your own car to keep them fresh.
Plants
Houseplants may feel like part of the family, but most movers won’t load them onto the truck. This includes potted plants, garden plants, and anything with soil.
Why Movers Leave These Out
Plants are fragile and don’t travel well in moving conditions. In a closed truck, they can tip over, lose soil, or wilt without sunlight and water. Many states also have agricultural laws that restrict the movement of plants across state lines to prevent pests and diseases from spreading, so movers are limited by regulations too.
What to Do Instead
- Short Moves: Transport plants in your own car, ideally in open boxes where they can get some airflow.
- Long-distance Moves: Consider gifting your plants to friends, family, or neighbors who can care for them.
- Check Regulations: If you’re moving across state lines, look into agricultural rules before attempting to bring plants with you.
Pets
This one is a little more obvious, but it’s important to call out: Movers cannot transport pets. That means cats, dogs, fish, birds, reptiles, or any other animals.
Why Movers Say No
Moving trucks aren’t equipped to safely house living creatures. They get hot, lack ventilation, and aren’t monitored during transit. For both ethical and safety reasons, movers leave pets entirely in their owner’s care.
What to Do Instead
- Drive with Them Yourself: For most pets, the safest option is to keep them with you during the trip.
- Make Them Comfortable: Pack a travel bag with food, water, and their favorite toys or bedding to reduce stress.
- Special Cases: For long-distance moves, especially across the country or internationally, look into professional pet relocation services that specialize in safe animal transport.
Valuables with Special Insurance
These valuables usually include things like fine jewelry, expensive artwork, antiques, coin or stamp collections, rare musical instruments, or anything else that’s been appraised and covered by a specialty insurance policy.
Why Movers Won’t Take Them
It comes down to liability. Even if a moving company offers its own coverage, it usually won’t match the protection of a specialized insurance policy. For example, an appraisal-backed piece of art or an antique with verified value can’t be fairly replaced under standard moving coverage, which often pays by weight rather than market value. That’s why movers leave these items out of their responsibility, they don’t want to risk a loss that can’t be properly compensated.
What to Do Instead
- Handle Them Yourself: Transport high-value insured items in your own vehicle whenever possible.
- Check Your Specialty Policy: Confirm whether your coverage extends to the moving process or if you need additional protection.
- Hire Specialized Carriers: For large or extremely valuable items, look into companies that focus on art, antiques, or luxury goods.
Liquor
Alcohol is one of those gray areas when it comes to moving. Some companies will move sealed bottles if they’re packed securely, while others won’t handle it at all. Rules often depend on the mover’s policies, the distance of your move, and even state regulations.
Check with your mover, ask directly whether they allow alcohol on the truck. If they don’t, packing bottles safely in your own car is often the simplest option.
Need Help Planning Your Move?
Knowing what movers can and can’t take is just one part of preparing for a smooth move.At Eco Movers, we can walk you through the details, answer your questions, and make sure nothing catches you off guard on moving day.
Explore our services whenever you’re ready. We’re here to help your move feel less stressful. Get a free quote online today or call us at (206) 971-6895!
