Items prohibited by moving companies
Moving companies may refuse to transport certain items. Which rules apply sometimes depends on the type of moving company you hire. Federal moving regulations generally apply to interstate movers, while state and local authorities primarily regulate local and intrastate movers.
Movers may also refuse to transport or accept liability for valuables and other items that are difficult to insure or replace, even when transporting them is legal.
Items moving companies may refuse
The following table outlines items movers may not carry, along with examples and why companies may refuse:
| Restricted item | Examples | Why movers may refuse |
|---|---|---|
| Flammable materials | Gasoline, lighter fluid, paint thinner | Fire risk; hazmat restrictions |
| Explosives | Fireworks, ammunition, black powder | Detonation risk; hazmat restrictions |
| Corrosives | Pool chemicals, acids, drain cleaner | Leaks; burns; property damage |
| Compressed gases | Propane tanks, oxygen tanks, aerosols | Rupture or explosion risk |
| Perishable food | Meat, produce, refrigerated food | Spoilage; pests; odors |
| Plants | Houseplants, garden plants | Damage; agricultural restrictions |
| Pets | Dogs, cats, fish, birds | Safety and welfare concerns |
| Valuables | Cash, jewelry, family heirlooms, important documents | Theft, damage or loss risk |
| Weapons | Guns, ammunition | Hazmat rules; state laws; company policy |
Why movers restrict certain items
There are three main reasons moving companies may refuse to move some of your belongings:
- Legal restrictions: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and state regulations prohibit the commercial transport of certain items. Companies that ship prohibited items could face fines or other legal penalties.
- Insurance liability: A mover’s insurance may exclude valuables and other difficult-to-replace items. The company may refuse to transport these belongings rather than risk a dispute over compensation if they are lost or damaged.
- Company policy: Individual moving providers also have their own policies that may go beyond legal or insurance restrictions.
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Hazardous materials and moving restrictions
Hazardous materials are substances that pose a risk to human health and safety. Many are prohibited from being transported by commercial carriers under FMCSA regulations, but moving companies may also refuse to ship materials they deem dangerous even if they’re not federally prohibited.
Set hazardous materials aside before the movers arrive so they aren’t accidentally packed or loaded onto the truck.
Common household hazardous materials
You likely have more hazardous materials in your home than you realize. Many of the items people use every day are classified as hazardous under federal law or are considered too risky to transport by moving companies, such as:
- Propane tanks
- Drain cleaner
- Paint and paint thinner
- Motor oil and antifreeze
- Pesticides and insecticides
- Aerosol cans (hairspray, spray paint, cleaners)
- Nail polish remover
- Bleach
- Gasoline (for mowers, generators)
Some everyday products are prohibited.
Many common cleaners, aerosols and garage products are classified as hazardous materials and can’t go on the moving truck.
What to do with hazardous materials
You should never try to hide hazardous materials from movers. Transporting restricted hazardous materials can be dangerous and may violate federal or state law. It could even result in chemical spills, fires, explosions or environmental contamination.
The best option is to properly dispose of any hazardous materials that you aren’t moving yourself. Avoid throwing these items in the general trash or recycling. Your city or county likely has a local hazardous waste collection program or disposal site where you can safely get rid of these materials.
If you need to move hazmat items, like a propane tank, do so in your own vehicle. This still presents a safety risk, though. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations on how to safely transport the item in question before attempting to do so.
Items movers may not pack or cover
Providers often refuse to take responsibility for items of high financial or sentimental value and those that would be difficult or impossible to replace, even if they’ll ship them for you.
Nonhazardous goods that moving companies may still be unwilling to deal with fall into a few categories.
Cash, jewelry and collectibles
Moving companies may not agree to handle high-value items because of liability concerns. Some items may not fall under the carrier’s insurance policy or exceed its coverage limit. Shipping these items also carries the risk of shippers filing fraudulent loss claims to get a payout.
An expensive watch or rare baseball card, for example, could cost thousands of dollars but easily get misplaced while packing. That’s a risk many movers and their insurers just aren’t willing to take.
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Documents and keys
Movers may refuse to pack important documents and keys because they can be difficult to replace and could create privacy or security risks if lost. Keep passports, deeds, birth certificates, financial records and keys with you during the move.
Medications and medical devices
There are several reasons why a moving company may refuse to transport your medications or medical devices. Some medications are regulated as controlled substances, and transporting them, especially across state lines, is illegal without proper authorization.
Movers may also refuse to carry medications or medical devices because delays or misplaced items could leave customers without important medical care.
Irreplaceable sentimental items
Moving companies may also refuse to pack, insure or even ship items with a strong sentimental value, especially if they are one of a kind.
In terms of liability, it’s difficult to establish a replacement value for these items, and the company risks losing or damaging something that simply can’t be replaced.
Items restricted by state laws
In addition to federal regulations, states also have their own restrictions that can affect whether or not a moving company can transport certain items between your old home and your new home.
Generally speaking, California has the most transportation restrictions of any state due to strict environmental regulations and a large agricultural sector. Other states with large agricultural industries, such as Florida, may restrict items like soil and firewood because they can harbor pests or spread invasive species.
It may also be difficult to transport guns and ammunition to or through states that have tighter firearms restrictions, like New York and New Jersey.
Alcohol transportation laws vary by state, and moving companies may refuse beer, wine and liquor, particularly opened bottles that could leak. Check the laws in your destination state and ask your mover about its policy.
How to handle state restrictions
Check the laws in the state you’re moving to before packing regulated items. If an item requires an inspection or documentation, complete those steps before moving day. Otherwise, you may need to leave it behind or safely dispose of it.
FAQ
Will movers move things not in boxes?
Generally speaking, movers will move some things that aren’t in boxes, such as appliances or furniture that won’t fit. However, unless you pay for packing services, movers may not move loose items that aren’t secured in boxes or other containers.
Will movers move liquids?
Movers will move some liquids as long as they aren’t hazardous chemicals or otherwise restricted by insurance regulations, state or federal law, or company policies. Moving companies won’t move flammable, caustic or otherwise dangerous liquids.
Are there items movers won't pack but will move?
Yes, there are some items that movers won’t pack but may be willing to move, such as jewelry, collectibles or other high-value items. Packing and loading these items may be a liability that isn’t covered under a provider’s cargo insurance policy, even if transporting them is.
What will movers not move on interstate moves?
Movers won’t move items that are prohibited for commercial carriers to transport under FMCSA or state laws on interstate moves. They may also refuse to move certain items restricted by their cargo insurance plan or under company policies.
What’s the best way to transport sentimental items?
The safest way to move your most prized possessions is to do it yourself. Keep them close by throughout the move, and take them into your hotel room rather than leaving them in your vehicle overnight.
If you must put sentimental items on the moving truck, photograph them and note which box contains them. Ask the mover whether its liability coverage applies before loading them.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, "Chapter I - Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation." Accessed Aug. 10, 2026.
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, "Part 397—Transportation of Hazardous Materials; Driving and Parking Rules." Accessed Aug. 10, 2026.
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, "49 CFR Part 387—Minimum Levels of Financial Responsibility for Motor Carriers." Accessed Aug. 10, 2026.
- California Department of Transportation, "Special Cargo/Environment." Accessed Aug. 10, 2026.
