A cat sitting tall and looking at the camera
You are a careful person. You’re not going to let someone load your belongings onto a truck without checking what’s going on. And, if you’re planning to move using a professional moving company, you’re making the right decision! There are a lot of things that can make your moving experience go wrong (we have a whole list of those right here) but with professional movers, you at least know that they're going to do their best to keep your stuff safe. However, be aware that there are some things that even the best professional movers won't allow on their trucks, so you'll want to be prepared and understand what those things are before hiring a moving company — it could save you time, money and stress in the long run!

Professional movers will not move hazardous items

You can't simply place hazardous items in your moving truck and expect the movers to take them. The federal government has strict regulations regarding the transportation of hazardous materials, which include oxygen generators, pesticides, flammable liquids (such as gasoline), compressed gases (like propane and helium), and chemicals that could cause an explosion or release toxic fumes if misused.

Hazardous waste also requires special handling—it must be disposed of by an authorized facility that specializes in disposing of hazardous waste. Before you hire a mover or pack up all your boxes yourself, check with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website to see if there are any local laws regarding how to dispose of certain items like batteries or bulbs.

Perishable food items are not able to be moved either

Movers won't move perishable food items, which are food items that are sensitive to temperature changes and spoil easily. These include:

  • Dairy products, such as milk, eggs, yogurt and cheese
  • Meats and meat byproducts (including poultry and seafood)
  • Fruit juices with pulp or seeds (such as orange juice)
  • Vegetables that have been cut or peeled (such as avocado)

Movers won't move Personal or Sentimental Items

While movers are happy to move all of your items, they won’t move anything with sentimental value. Before you start packing, take a moment to think about what matters most to you and what should be packed separately.

  • Valuables: Valuable items like jewelry, art and antiques should be packed in a separate container that clearly identifies the contents within as valuable.
  • Sentimental items: If you have an item that has special meaning but no monetary value, make sure it is clearly labeled so that the movers know not to handle it with extra care (such as a wedding dress or baby blanket).

As a general rule, movers will not move plants

As a general rule, movers will not move plants. According to the National Plant Board it regulate the shipment of nursery and greenhouse stock in an effort to minimize the spread of harmful insects, diseases, and other pests. We suggest packing and bringing the plants yourself.

Movers won't move valuable documents

If you have any important documents to move, it's best to keep them with you. Your movers should not be responsible for transporting anything containing sensitive information, such as medical records or other paperwork with personal information on it. Make sure that all of your important paperwork is organized and easily accessible so that you can grab it before loading the truck without worrying about where everything is located. Also remember to bring along irreplaceable items like photo albums or keepsakes that are too large to fit in a box but aren't worth storing long term in a safe deposit box or safety deposit box at the bank (if you don't already have one).

Pets are not allowed to be moved either

Moving pets isn't allowed either. The Moving Crew makes sure that every item on the truck is packed securely, but it can be difficult to monitor what's happening inside every box as it travels from one location to another. Pets can't be transported by movers, so if you want to move with your pet, you'll have to transport them yourself.

You can't transport pets on a moving truck because there are no regulations or laws in place that allow it. You should take your animals with you in a car or plane instead of risking injury by putting them on an unsafe journey with strangers.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has helped you to understand what professional movers won't move. As a general rule, it's better to know in advance than have your stuff left behind at the old house! So if you're planning on moving soon, be sure to check out our other articles for more information about how we can help make your next move as smooth as possible.

More of moving blog

Get a free quote