What Do Movers Not Move? A Guide to Items Moving Companies Can’t Transport
Moving day is stressful enough without discovering that something you packed can’t be loaded onto the moving truck. While professional movers can safely transport most household belongings, there are certain items that moving companies generally cannot, or should not, move.
If you're planning a local move in Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Casselberry, Maitland, Orlando, or elsewhere in Central Florida, knowing what movers can’t transport ahead of time can help your move go much more smoothly.
At Easy Peasy Moving LLC, we want our customers to be prepared before moving day so there are no surprises when our professional moving team arrives.
Why Can’t Movers Transport Everything?
Licensed Florida moving companies have to follow safety regulations and law set forth by the FL Department of Agriculture, designed to protect customers, movers, and the public. Some items are considered hazardous, illegal to transport, perishable, or simply ill advised to place inside a moving truck.
Even if an item seems harmless, it may become dangerous when exposed to heat, pressure, vibration, or other conditions during transportation.
When you're unsure about a particular item, it's always best to ask your moving company before moving day.
Florida moving company regulations and laws can be found on FL Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services website, Chapter 507, Florida Statues.
Common Items Movers Do Not Move
1. Gasoline, Fuel, and Other Flammable Liquids
Gasoline and other flammable liquids cannot be transported by household moving companies.
This includes items such as:
Gasoline
Diesel fuel
Kerosene
Propane
Camping fuel
Lighter fluid
Certain solvents and cleaning chemicals
If you have lawn equipment, generators, pressure washers, or other gas-powered equipment, ask your moving company about their requirements before moving day.
Important: Gas-powered equipment needs to be completely emptied of fuel before movers can transport it. Check with the moving company for their policy on transporting gas powered equipment.
2. Propane Tanks and Compressed Gas Cylinders
Propane tanks, oxygen cylinders, and other compressed gas containers present serious safety concerns during transportation.
This can include tanks used for:
Grills
Campers
Patio heaters
Fire pits
Welding equipment
These items should not be transported in a moving truck.
3. Explosives and Fireworks
Fireworks, ammunition, explosives, and similar materials should not be placed on a moving truck.
These items can create significant safety risks and may be prohibited from transportation.
If you're cleaning out a garage, shed, or storage area before your move, pay particular attention to anything labeled flammable, explosive, or hazardous.
4. Certain Chemicals and Hazardous Materials
Households often contain more chemicals than they realize.
Examples may include:
Pesticides
Herbicides
Pool chemicals
Certain fertilizers
Strong solvents
Paint thinners
Industrial chemicals
Some automotive chemicals
Before packing these products into a box, check with your moving company.
If you're not sure whether something is considered hazardous, don't put it on the moving truck until you've confirmed that it can be transported.
5. Perishable Food
Moving companies typically have restrictions on transporting perishable foods.
This can include:
Fresh meat
Frozen food
Fresh produce
Dairy products
Open containers of food
Refrigerated items
Food can spoil during transportation, especially during Florida's hot weather.
For local moves, customers may be able to transport certain non-perishable foods themselves, but policies can vary by moving company.
6. Plants and Certain Living Things
Florida moving companies are prohibited from transporting plants, trees, sod, grass and living organisms.
If you're moving locally within Central Florida, ask your mover for suggestions on how to handle moving these items on your own.
Pets and other animals should never be placed inside a moving truck. They should always travel with you or through an appropriate pet transportation service.
7. Weapons and Ammunition
Moving companies in Florida are prohibited from transporting ammunition.
Moving companies may have restrictions regarding firearms and other weapons.
Because laws and company policies can vary, customers should discuss these items with their moving company well before moving day and make their own arrangements when required.
Do not pack restricted or prohibited items in your moving boxes. Concealing dangerous materials puts both the moving crew and the public at risk.
What About Cleaning Supplies?
This is an area where customers frequently have questions.
Many homes contain everyday cleaning products that may be perfectly normal to have around the house but may not be appropriate for transportation.
Examples include:
Bleach
Strong acids
Drain cleaners
Certain aerosols
Solvents
Paint products
Certain pesticides
When preparing for your move, separate questionable chemicals instead of automatically packing them.
What About Alcohol?
Policies regarding alcoholic beverages can vary depending on the type of move, the company, and applicable regulations.
If you have a large wine collection, liquor collection, or other alcoholic beverages, talk to your moving company before packing them.
For many moves, the safest option is to transport certain personal items yourself when legally permitted.
What About Valuables?
Not everything that a moving company can move is necessarily something you should put on the moving truck.
We recommend keeping important personal items with you whenever possible.
This may include:
Cash
Jewelry
Important documents
Passports
Birth certificates
Personal identification
Irreplaceable photographs
Small family heirlooms
Sentimental items
These items are often difficult or impossible to replace, so keeping them with you provides an extra level of peace of mind.
What About Items That Are Extremely Valuable or Fragile?
Some specialty items may require additional planning.
Examples can include:
Large safes
Fine art
Antiques
Pianos
Extremely fragile collectibles
Certain specialty equipment
A professional moving company can often transport many specialty items, but you should disclose them during the estimate process.
The more your mover knows about your belongings ahead of time, the better they can prepare the appropriate equipment, materials, manpower, and truck space.
Moving in Florida? Don't Forget the Heat
Central Florida presents an additional consideration that customers don't always think about: heat.
A moving truck can become extremely hot inside, particularly when sitting in the Florida sun.
That's another reason certain products, chemicals, food items, and temperature-sensitive belongings shouldn't be placed on a moving truck.
If you're moving during the summer or Florida's hurricane season, talk with your moving company about any items you're unsure about transporting.
What Should You Do With Items Your Movers Can't Move?
Don't wait until the morning of your move to figure this out.
A few days before moving day, walk through your home, garage, shed, attic, and storage areas and create a separate pile for items that may not be transportable.
Then you can:
Dispose of them properly.
Check with your local municipality about household hazardous waste disposal.
Give them away.
Some usable products can be given to friends, neighbors, or organizations that accept them.
Sell them.
Items such as certain lawn equipment or other household products may be worth selling before your move.
Transport approved items yourself.
For items that are legal and safe to transport personally, you may be able to take them in your own vehicle.
Ask your movers.
If you're uncertain about something, contact your moving company before moving day.
The Best Way to Avoid Moving-Day Surprises
The easiest way to prevent problems is to be upfront with your moving company during the estimate process.
Tell your mover about anything that might require special handling, including:
Gas-powered equipment
Large propane tanks
Pool chemicals
Heavy safes
Pianos
Large appliances
Valuable artwork
Fragile antiques
Unusual or oversized items
A reputable moving company would rather answer your question ahead of time than discover a prohibited or unsafe item when the truck is ready to leave.
Easy Peasy Moving Is Here to Make Your Move Easier
At Easy Peasy Moving LLC, we believe a successful move starts with good communication.
Our professional moving teams serve Altamonte Springs and communities throughout Central Florida.
From carefully protecting your home to safely loading and transporting your belongings, our goal is to provide a professional, careful moving experience from the first conversation to the last box is placed.
If you're not sure whether we can move a particular item, just ask us before moving day. We'd much rather help you figure it out ahead of time than have you find out when the truck is being loaded.
Planning a Move in Central Florida?
Let Easy Peasy Moving LLC help make your next move a little less stressful.
Contact Easy Peasy Moving LLC today to discuss your upcoming move and find out how we can help.