Knowledge is power, especially when you’re moving your entire life from one place to another.
If you’ve ever tried planning a move, you know it’s not just about packing boxes and hiring a truck. There’s a whole moving glossary full of terms that movers and industry professionals use every day, and if you’re not familiar with them, it can feel like they’re speaking another language.
From the bill of lading to the difference between “binding” and “non-binding” estimates, understanding the common moving terms can save you from misunderstandings. In fact, a recent survey found that nearly 62% of customers felt stressed during their move simply because they didn’t fully understand the paperwork or moving terminology used by their movers.
So, here’s your glossary of moving terms, written for real people, not industry insiders. Let’s discuss the definitions of moving terms, so the next time you see a phrase like “accessorial charges” or “valuation coverage,” you won’t be scratching your head.
A
Access
Access refers to how easy or difficult it is for movers to reach your home for picking up or delivering your belongings. Things like how close the moving truck can park, the number of stairs, the presence of a freight elevator, or even the layout of the neighborhood can make a big difference. Limited access may require special arrangements and could affect the total moving cost.
Accessorial (Additional) Services
These are extra services you can request from your moving company beyond simply transporting your items. Examples include packing, unpacking, appliance servicing, or arranging split pick-ups and deliveries.
Sometimes, these services aren’t optional, for instance, if a moving truck can’t get close to your property and a smaller shuttle vehicle is needed, or if furniture has to be hoisted through a window. Accessorial services are billed separately from the standard transportation cost, so always make sure they are listed in your final estimate.
Adjustor
An adjustor is the person who manages claims for loss or damage to your belongings during a move. They handle everything from assessing the damage to resolving the claim, including any property damage or injuries that might occur during the process.
Advanced Charges
These are costs for services provided by outside professionals hired through your moving company. This might include specialized technicians, craftsmen, or insurance agents. Your mover pays these providers first and then adds the total to your bill of lading.
Agent
An agent is a local moving company that works on behalf of a larger national carrier. They may coordinate customer communications, handle the actual move, or manage certain parts of the process.
Agreed Delivery Date
The agreed delivery date is the scheduled time frame for your shipment to arrive at its destination, as outlined in your moving contract. It may be a specific date or a delivery window, which your mover will confirm in advance.
Agreed Pick-up Date
This is the confirmed time frame for your movers to load your belongings. Depending on the size of your shipment and any extra services required, this can range from a single day to multiple days.
Appliance Service
Specialized services to disconnect, move, and reconnect household appliances like refrigerators, washers, dryers, and dishwashers. Often, certain tasks — such as disconnecting an electrical supply — must be handled by a licensed professional, and those charges are separate from standard moving costs.
Appliance Dolly
A sturdy wheeled platform designed to safely move large, heavy items like appliances or oversized furniture. Dollies can be used vertically, horizontally, or at an angle to make transport easier and safer.
Assessed Value
The estimated value assigned to your shipment for insurance purposes. When purchasing moving insurance, your cost will usually be calculated based on the assessed value, often charged per $1,000 worth of coverage.
B
Bill of Lading
The bill of lading is the official contract between you and your moving company. It outlines everything about your move — dates, services, special conditions, payment method, and the type of insurance coverage you’ve chosen. It also lists the exact charges and acts as a receipt for your shipment.
This is one of the most important moving industry terms you’ll come across, so review it carefully before signing. Double-check every detail, ask questions if anything is unclear, and make sure you agree with all terms in writing.
Binding Estimate
A binding estimate is a written offer from the moving company that guarantees the total cost of your move based on the services and shipment size discussed during an in-home survey. Once agreed, this price won’t change, unless you add extra services or your shipment ends up being larger than originally estimated. In those cases, your mover will provide a revised estimate before proceeding.
Booking Agent
This is the agent responsible for officially registering your move with the moving carrier. They handle the paperwork, confirm the details, and, in some cases, perform an in-person survey of your belongings to give you an accurate cost estimate. If the booking agent is based at your starting location, they may also act as your origin agent.
Bulky Items
Large, heavy, or awkwardly shaped belongings, such as pianos, motorcycles, hot tubs, campers, or playground sets, are considered bulky items. These can’t be packed in standard moving boxes and require special handling, equipment, and sometimes extra crew members. Because they take up more space in the truck and require more effort to load and secure, moving companies often charge an additional bulky item fee or a weight-based surcharge.
C
Cancellation Fee
If you cancel a confirmed move, the moving company may charge a cancellation fee. This fee compensates them for the time, scheduling, and resources they’ve already committed to your booking.
Carrier
A carrier is a licensed and authorized company that transports household goods. In the moving glossary, this term specifically refers to the professional mover responsible for getting your belongings from origin to destination.
Carrier Liability
This is the level of financial responsibility the carrier accepts if your belongings are lost or damaged while in their care. The terms and coverage limits are outlined in your moving contract and should be reviewed before signing.
Claim
A claim is a formal request for compensation if your household goods are lost, damaged, or destroyed during the move. You’ll need to submit it to the moving company along with details and proof of the damage.
Cash on Delivery (COD)
A payment method where you pay for your move at the time your shipment is delivered. Most companies accept cash, money orders, or cashier’s checks for COD moves, while credit card payments usually require prior approval.
Consignee
The person who receives the shipment at the destination point.
Consignor
The person from whom the shipment is collected at the starting location. In many moves, the consignor and consignee are the same person.
Consolidation
When movers combine shipments from two or more customers onto the same truck for transportation along the same route, it is referred to as consolidation. This can be more cost-effective for customers, especially for smaller loads, as the expenses are shared.
Crating
A method of protecting fragile or valuable items by packing them into custom-built wooden crates. Crating is often used for things like fine art, antiques, or large glass pieces.
CWT (Per-Hundred Weight)
A pricing term that refers to the cost per 100 pounds of shipment weight. It’s a standard unit used in the moving industry for calculating charges.
D
Deadhead
The distance a moving truck travels without carrying any cargo in order to reach the pick-up location. These empty miles can impact scheduling and costs in certain situations.
Declared Value
The value you assign to your belongings before the move. This figure helps determine the carrier’s maximum liability if your goods are lost or damaged during transit. If you don’t declare a value, your shipment will be covered only under the mover’s basic liability policy.
Delivery
The process of transporting your shipment to its destination, unloading it, and handing over the items to you or your authorized representative.
Delivery Window
The agreed time frame in which your movers are expected to deliver your shipment. Depending on distance, weather, and whether your items are part of a consolidated load, a delivery window may span from a couple of days to nearly a week.
Department of Transportation (DOT)
The U.S. federal agency that oversees and regulates transportation, including the moving of household goods. For interstate moves, the DOT works through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to ensure carriers meet safety and licensing requirements.
Deposit
A partial payment, often 10–15% of your estimated moving cost, is made to reserve your moving date and services. In some cases, the moving company may retain the deposit if you cancel the move.
Destination Agent
A representative in your delivery area who coordinates the arrival of your shipment. The destination agent can arrange final delivery, assist with storage, and provide additional services if needed.
Destination Services
Tasks are performed once your belongings reach the destination. This can include unpacking, arranging furniture, reconnecting appliances, or other services provided by the driver, the destination agent, or a third party.
Door-to-Door Services
A type of service where the moving company handles your shipment from the pick-up location all the way to the delivery address, without storage or warehouse handling in between.
E
Essentials Box
A box containing the items you’ll need right away during or after your move, such as medications, toiletries, a first-aid kit, chargers, snacks, and a change of clothes for each family member. This box should travel with you, not in the moving truck, so you can access your essentials at any time. It’s sometimes called an “open-first box” or a “survival kit.”
Estimate
An estimate is the mover’s approximation of your total moving cost. It’s based on factors like shipment weight (or volume in cubic feet), travel distance, and any additional services you request. Understanding your estimate type, whether binding, non-binding, or binding-not-to-exceed, is key to avoiding cost surprises.
Estimated Weight
The mover’s best approximation of your shipment’s weight, determined from your inventory list or a visual inspection by a moving specialist. This number can influence your quoted price.
Exclusive Use of Vehicle
For an extra fee, you can request a truck dedicated solely to your shipment. This option eliminates sharing space with other customers’ belongings and can speed up delivery.
Expedited Service
A premium service where the mover agrees to deliver your shipment by a specific date. Because this often requires adjustments to schedules or routes, it comes with a higher price tag.
Extra Pick-up / Extra Delivery
Any additional stop for loading or unloading items beyond the main origin and destination addresses. These added stops typically involve extra charges.
F
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
A division of the U.S. Department of Transportation responsible for regulating interstate moving companies. The FMCSA sets safety, licensing, and operational standards for carriers, moving vehicles, and their drivers.
Flight Charge
An extra fee for carrying items up or down stairs during a move. This is sometimes called a stair-carry charge and is usually applied when elevators aren’t available or can’t be used.
Freight Service
A budget-friendly moving option that covers only the transportation of your belongings from the pick-up point to the delivery location. Packing, loading, appliance servicing, and other related services are not included.
Fuel Surcharge
An additional fee is calculated based on the national average cost of fuel. It's common on long-distance moves to help offset fluctuations in fuel prices.
Full (Replacement) Value Protection
A valuation option where the moving company is responsible for repairing or replacing lost or damaged items at their current market value, without factoring in depreciation. This is the highest level of protection offered by most carriers.
Full-Service Move
A moving service where the company handles every step of your relocation, from packing and loading to transporting, unloading, unpacking, and even removing packing materials. While this is typically the most expensive option, it’s also the most convenient and least labor-intensive for customers.
Furniture Blankets
Thick, padded covers are used to protect large furniture pieces, appliances, and other bulky items during a move. They can also be taped over railings, door frames, or walls to prevent scratches and dents.
Furniture Pads
Felt pads are placed under heavy furniture or appliances to make sliding them across the floor easier and safer, reducing the risk of damage to both the items and the flooring.
G
Gross Weight
The combined weight of the moving truck and all its contents after your household goods have been loaded. This number is used along with the empty truck’s weight (tare weight) to determine the total shipment weight.
Guaranteed Pickup and Delivery Service
A premium option where the moving company commits to specific pick-up and delivery dates. If the schedule isn’t met, the carrier typically provides compensation. This service may have minimum shipment weight requirements and often comes at an additional cost.
H
Hauler (Hauling Agent)
The van operator or authorized agent is responsible for physically transporting your shipment from the origin to the destination using their own truck and equipment. In some cases, the hauling agent may be subcontracted by the moving company.
High-Value Article
Items in your shipment are worth more than $100 per pound (about $220 per kilogram). These are also called "items of extraordinary value." To ensure proper protection, you'll need to list them on a high-value inventory form provided by your mover.
Hourly Rates
A pricing method where you’re charged by the hour for each mover and each truck used. Hourly rates are most common for local or short-distance moves.
Household Goods
All personal belongings and property typically found in a home, including furniture, appliances, clothing, and other everyday items.
Hoisting Services
Specialized moving services for getting large or heavy items in or out of a home through windows or other openings when they can’t fit through doors or stairways. Hoisting requires specialized equipment such as cranes or lifting platforms.
I
Individual Shipper
The person listed on the bill of lading as the consignor or consignee of a shipment. The individual shipper owns the goods being moved and is responsible for paying the moving charges.
(In-home) Survey
A visual inspection of your home is performed by a moving company representative. This allows them to see the type and quantity of household goods you plan to move and determine what services will be needed. An in-home survey helps ensure you receive an accurate moving estimate.
International Move
A relocation that involves crossing an international border, no matter the distance. Planning an international move requires careful coordination, including documentation, customs requirements, fees, and logistics.
Interstate Move
Any move that crosses a state line, even if the origin and destination are within the same state, but the route passes through another state. Interstate moves are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Intrastate Move
A move within the same state that typically covers more than 50 miles but does not cross a state border. These moves are regulated at the state level, not by the FMCSA.
In-Transit
The stage when your shipment is actively traveling between its pick-up and delivery locations.
Inventory
A detailed list of all household goods being moved, including descriptions, quantities, and the condition of each item. The inventory is signed by both you and the driver at pick-up and delivery to verify the condition of the items and note any pre-existing issues. It serves as both a receipt and a condition report.
L
Line Haul Charges
The base transportation fees for a long-distance move cover the cost of moving your shipment from origin to destination. These charges are calculated based on the actual weight of your goods and the miles traveled. They are separate from any additional service fees.
Loading
The process of removing your belongings from your home, placing them into the moving truck, and securing them so they remain safe during transport.
Loading Ramp
A sturdy, often retractable platform that connects the moving truck to the ground, making it easier and safer to load and unload items. Some ramps are built into the truck, while others are portable.
Local Move
A move within the same state and typically under 100 miles (160 km). Local moves are generally charged by the hour and are regulated by state transportation authorities or public utilities commissions.
Long Carry Fee
An extra fee is charged when movers must carry items a long distance — usually more than 75 feet — between your home and the moving truck.
Long Haul (Long-Distance) Move
A move covering 450 miles or more, often completed with tractor-trailers. Because of the distance, long hauls usually take more than one day to complete.
Long-Term Storage
Storage of household goods for more than 30 days. This option is useful for moves with delayed delivery dates or for keeping items safe during extended transitions.
Low-Ball Estimate
A quote that is much lower than the others you've received. These unusually low offers often come from unreliable movers trying to secure a job, only to increase the price later through hidden fees or other tactics. If an estimate seems too good to be true, research the company thoroughly before committing.
M
Method of Payment
Reputable moving companies typically accept payment via cash, traveler’s checks, money orders, cashier’s checks, or credit cards. Credit card payments generally require prior approval before moving day.
Motor Carrier
A company licensed to transport goods by truck. In the moving industry terms, a motor carrier may specialize in household goods transportation.
Moving Broker
A company that arranges moves but doesn’t perform the actual transportation. Instead, moving brokers sell the job to licensed movers and may act as a middleman, coordinating communication and logistics for a commission.
Moving Company (Mover)
A licensed and authorized motor carrier that transports household goods. Depending on the company, your mover might handle the entire process — from planning to unpacking — or work with subcontractors for specific tasks.
Moving Cost
The base cost of transporting your belongings to your new home is often quoted without insurance or extra services like packing or storage.
Moving Dolly
A hand-operated, wheeled platform designed to make moving boxes and heavy items easier. Always ensure the load is secured before moving it.
Moving Process
The complete set of activities involved in a relocation is typically divided into three stages: pre-move preparations, moving day, and post-move tasks. This includes planning, packing, loading, transporting, unloading, and unpacking.
Moving Tips
Practical advice from experienced movers and industry professionals to help make your move safer, smoother, and more cost-effective.
Moving Truck / Van
The vehicle used to transport your household goods from your old home to your new one.
N
Net Weight
The actual weight of your shipment is calculated by subtracting the empty truck's weight (tare weight) from the total loaded truck weight (gross weight). You have the right to request a copy of the scale ticket to verify your shipment's net weight.
An estimate provided by the moving company serves as an approximate cost based on the projected shipment weight and any requested accessorial services. This type of estimate is often given without an in-home survey and is typically free. However, the final cost is determined by the actual shipment weight, job complexity, and the applicable tariff at the time of the move — meaning the price can increase or decrease.
Non-Allowables
Items movers will not transport due to safety, legal, or contamination concerns. This includes hazardous materials (flammables, corrosives, explosives), perishable goods (such as certain foods, plants, or animals), and any items that could cause damage to the mover’s property or other shipments. Always request a copy of your mover’s prohibited items list before you start packing.
O
Operating Authority
A certification issued by state or federal authorities that grants a carrier permission to transport household goods within a specific geographic area. Without this authorization, a mover cannot operate legally.
Origin Agent
The representative located at the starting point of your move who handles all origin-related services. This can include conducting the survey, preparing documentation, coordinating third-party services, getting your shipment ready for transport, and arranging pick-up.
Order for Service
A written contract between you and the moving company authorizing the carrier to transport your household goods.
Order Number
A unique tracking number is assigned to your shipment. It appears on the bill of lading and all related moving paperwork, ensuring your move can be identified and tracked at every stage. Sometimes called a registration number.
Origin
The location where your shipment is picked up and loaded onto the moving vehicle. This is usually your current home, but can also be a storage facility or another location where your belongings are kept.
Origin Services
Services performed at the starting location of your move, such as packing, appliance preparation, or cleaning.
Overflow
Portion of a shipment that doesn’t fit into the assigned moving vehicle due to limited space. Overflow items may be transported in a separate truck for an additional fee.
Overtime
An additional charge applies when loading or delivery takes place outside regular weekday business hours (typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Overtime may be scheduled for customer convenience or required due to building regulations or local laws.
P
Packers
Professionals who pack a customer’s belongings at the origin location to prepare them for safe transport. Upon request, they can also unpack and arrange items at the destination.
PBO (Packed By Owner)
Items packed by the customer rather than the moving company. Movers may not accept liability for damage to PBO items, especially if they require special handling, such as fragile, valuable, or irregularly shaped belongings. For these items, it's generally best to use professional packing services.
Packing
The process of preparing household goods for transport involves wrapping them securely, placing them in suitable containers, and sealing and labeling each box. Using the right materials and techniques is essential to keeping items safe and undamaged during the move.
Packing List
A detailed inventory of all items to be packed and shipped. In many cases, the moving inventory also serves as the packing list.
Packing Services
Full-service movers offer packing services in which trained professionals handle all packing and unpacking tasks, ensuring items are properly protected and organized.
Packing Supplies
Materials used to protect and secure belongings during a move. Common packing supplies include cardboard boxes in various sizes, packing paper, bubble wrap, foam sheets, packing peanuts, tape, and other protective materials.
Pallet
A large wooden platform or container used to store and separate goods in a warehouse. Larger items, such as furniture, are typically wrapped and stored separately from palletised goods.
Paperwork
All documents, forms, and receipts related to the move. Keep your paperwork safe and with you at all times during the move and retain it for several months afterward for potential disputes or tax purposes.
Peak Season Rates
Higher moving rates are charged during the busiest time of year — typically between May 15 and September 30 — when demand for moving services is highest.
Permanent Storage
Storage of household goods for an indefinite period, beginning after the expiration of any initial storage-in-transit period.
Pick-up and Delivery Charges
Additional fees for transporting items between a storage-in-transit warehouse and the customer’s home.
Q
Quote (Moving Quote)
An estimate provided by a moving company that outlines the expected cost of your move based on factors such as shipment size, distance, and requested services. Moving quotes are typically free and can help you compare pricing between different movers before making a decision.
R
Reasonable Dispatch
The agreed time frame for pick-up and delivery of a shipment is determined by the customer and the moving company. This time period is recorded on the bill of lading and outlines when the mover is expected to complete the transport.
Released Value
The basic level of liability coverage movers provide at no additional cost. Under this option, the mover is responsible for only 60 cents per pound per item, regardless of the item’s actual value. While it’s the most affordable coverage, it offers minimal protection.
Reweigh
A second weighing of the shipment, performed at the destination, can be requested by either the customer or the mover. There's no fee for the reweigh, but the updated weight will be used to calculate the final moving charges, which could change your total cost.
S
Scale Ticket
An official document showing the weight of your shipment, issued after it has been weighed at an approved scale location. The driver obtains this ticket as part of the moving process.
Self-Service Mover
A moving service where the customer packs and loads their belongings into the moving truck or portable container, and the mover transports them to the destination. Once delivered, the customer unloads the items and notifies the mover to retrieve the vehicle or container.
Shipper of Household Items
The person whose belongings are being moved from the origin to the destination. This is often the same individual arranging and paying for the move.
Short Haul
A move covering more than 50 miles but less than 450 miles. Short hauls are often completed with straight trucks, although tractor-trailers can be used when needed.
Shuttle Service
A service used when the moving truck cannot access your home due to narrow streets, limited parking, low bridges, or other restrictions. A smaller vehicle is used to transfer goods between the main moving truck and your residence. This may require multiple trips and typically involves an additional charge.
Storage in Transit (SIT)
Temporary storage of your belongings in the mover’s warehouse while waiting for final delivery. SIT is often used when your new home isn’t ready on the scheduled delivery date. Additional charges apply if SIT is requested by the customer, but not if the mover delivers early and storage is needed as a result. The maximum SIT period is usually 90 days, though this may vary by carrier.
Straight Truck
A smaller, single-unit moving truck with the cab and cargo area on the same chassis. These trucks are easier to maneuver in tight spaces and are commonly used for local or short-distance moves.
T
Tag
A numbered or color-coded label is attached to each item in a shipment. Tags correspond to entries on the inventory list, making it easier to track and identify items during the move.
Tare Weight
The weight of the moving truck — including essential equipment and packing materials — before any household goods are loaded. Also known as the light weight, this figure is used to help calculate your shipment’s net weight.
Tariff
A document outlining a moving company’s rates, rules, and additional fees. A tariff must clearly list all services offered, the associated charges, and the terms of service so customers can determine exactly what applies to their shipment.
Third-Party Services
Services provided by an outside company, rather than the mover or its agents, either at the customer’s request or due to legal requirements. Examples include appliance servicing, crating, vehicle transport, or professional cleaning.
Tractor-Trailer
A large moving vehicle consisting of a truck (tractor) that tows a detachable trailer. Commonly used for long-distance shipments or moves involving large volumes of goods. Due to their size, tractor-trailers may require shuttle service if access is limited at either the origin or destination.
Transit Time
The period between the pick-up of your belongings and their delivery to the destination address. Transit time can vary depending on distance, route, and service type.
U
Unpacking
The process of removing a customer’s belongings from their moving boxes, crates, or other containers after delivery. When unpacking services are requested, movers typically perform them at the time of delivery — placing items on flat surfaces, tables, or countertops for the customer to organize. This service also includes disposing of the used packing materials.
V
Valuation
An amount that represents the declared worth of your belongings for transport. Valuation determines the mover's maximum liability in case of loss or damage, but it is not the same as moving insurance.
Van Line
A large motor carrier that coordinates long-distance, cross-country, or international moves. Van lines work with local agents at both the origin and destination to manage each stage of the move.
Van Line Agent
A smaller, local moving company authorized to provide moving services on behalf of a national van line.
Van Operator
The person responsible for overseeing the loading, transportation, and unloading of your household goods.
W
Waiting Time
An optional service customers can request if they’re unable to accept their shipment within two hours of its arrival at the destination. A fee is charged for each additional hour the movers wait. In some cases, paying for short waiting periods can be less expensive than having the shipment moved to a warehouse for storage.
Warehouse Handling
An extra fee is applied when items are placed into storage-in-transit. This charge covers the labor and time required to move goods into, within, and out of the warehouse.
Weight Additive
An additional weight amount is added to the net weight of certain large but lightweight items to account for the extra space they occupy in the truck.
Weight Ticket
An official document issued when a moving truck is weighed at a certified scale. It records the total loaded weight, the truck’s empty weight, and the net shipment weight. Customers are entitled to receive a copy of this ticket.
Y
Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move
A government-issued booklet outlining the key rights and responsibilities of individuals hiring a moving company. Movers are required to provide a copy to all COD (Cash on Delivery) customers when booking services. This publication explains important topics such as estimates, liability, claims, and dispute resolution. Click here to download the booklet for free.
123
110% Rule
If you receive a written non-binding estimate from your mover, you are only required to pay up to 110% of the estimated cost at the time of delivery, even if the actual charges turn out to be higher. The remaining balance must still be paid later, but this rule helps protect customers from having their belongings withheld until full payment is made.
If there’s a moving term you don't see in this glossary, let us know, and we'll update the list as soon as possible. You're also welcome to contribute to our moving industry terms by suggesting additions or clarifications we might have missed.
Sharing your insights helps keep this glossary accurate and useful for everyone planning a move.
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