Legally speaking, our hands are tied when it comes to putting certain belongings inside our big rigs and embarking on cross-country moves. When you consider the following items, you’ll likely see these restrictions make lots of sense—even if they sometimes might seem inconvenient.
The #1 rationale behind government-dictated legal restrictions is safety. For prohibitions based on A Team Moving and Storage’s own safe-moving policies, our primary consideration is protecting your possessions. Either way, we can’t budge when it comes to not moving these objects.
Hazardous Items Ahead
Federal officials are unmovable on relocating what are deemed hazardous materials, primarily flammable, explosive, corrosive or eco-unfriendly items. Plain and simple, it’s illegal to transport these items because they can explode under certain conditions. Consider recycling or taking these items to a hazardous-waste collection site before your cross-country move. You also might give them to friends or family members. Consult municipal or county officials on proper disposal methods if required.
This prohibited-items list isn’t exhaustive. Please talk with your pro movers if you’re unsure about an item’s safety.
- acids
- ammunition
- bottled gas or propane
- lamp oil
- charcoal
- all flammables, including matches and lighter fluid
- explosives and corrosives
- fireworks
- fire extinguisher
- car batteries
- motor oils and fuel
- paints, thinners, oils and varnishes
- cleaning solvents
- chafing-fuel cans and cooking-fuel cans
- aerosol cans
- ammonia and liquid bleach
- nail polish and nail-polish remover
- pool chemicals
- poisons
- pesticides, fertilizer and weed killer
Plant Plan
A Team Moving and Storage has a no plant policy. Plants get to hot or too cold in the trailers and create too much of a mess. Plant preservation also involves not transporting eco-hostile pests, including the destructive gypsy moth.
Thought for Food
Do we transport food items? Yes…and no.
We say, “yes,” to dry, jarred or canned goods.
Sorry, but it’s a no-go for any perishable or unsealed food items. That includes produce, refrigerated or frozen food, and other opened food items. Perishable items attract vermin and other hazardous pests that might damage your belongings.
Cherish is a Word
They’re not explosive or corrosive or potentially messy nor do they attract hazardous insects or vermin. Still, we don’t advise moving certain prized possessions via our tractor-trailers. We’re pro movers and experts in knowing how to pack fragile items for shipping, but accidents sometimes happen. We’d much rather a mishap occur involving an easily replaced item vs. a priceless heirloom. That’s why we say you shouldn’t place the following items on our moving vans cross country. Instead, carry them with you.
- coins
- valuable papers (e.g., bank bills, currency, deeds, notes and drafts)
- jewelry and precious stones
- stamp collections
- passports
- birth certificates
- cash
- car keys
- financial or medical records
Other cherished items are ideal candidates for our specialty moving services, which are designed for unique and precious objects. From antique pianos to billiards tables and fine art, some belongings require special handling and delivery instructions to maintain their value. Discussing these added protections with your residential movers can provide you peace of mind on the move ahead.