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A moving company, also known as a removalist or van line, is a company that specializes in assisting individuals and businesses with relocating their goods from one location to another. Moving companies may offer additional or all-inclusive services for relocations, like packing, loading, moving, unloading, unpacking, and arranging of items to be shifted. Additional services may include cleaning services for houses, offices or warehousing facilities.
Overview
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2007, 40 million United States citizens had moved annually over the previous decade.[1] Of these movers, 84.5% relocated within their own state, 12.5% moved to another state, and 2.3% moved to another country.[2]
The U.S. Department of Defense is the largest household goods shipper in the world, with the Personal Property Program accounting for 20% of all moves.[3]
A 2020 OnePoll survey showed that 64% of participants consider their recent move to be one of the most stressful events they have ever encountered.[4]
Pricing and services
United States and Canada
In the U.S. and Canada, the cost for long-distance moves is generally determined by several factors:
- Weight of the items to be moved
- Distance between the original and new location
- Speed of the move
- Timing of the move, including the specific time of year or month
Some movers also offer consolidated shipping, which reduces costs by transporting several clients' items in the same shipment.
United Kingdom and Australia
In the United Kingdom and Australia, the price is based on the volume of the items rather than their weight. Some movers may offer flat rate pricing.
DIY moving
The use of truck rental services, or simply borrowing similar hardware, is referred to as DIY moving. Individuals or families may rent a truck or trailer large enough to transport their household goods. They may also acquire moving equipment such as dollies, furniture pads, and cargo belts to facilitate the move and protect their belongings.
Packing and materials
The moving process also involves finding or buying materials such as boxes, paper, tape, and bubble wrap with which to pack boxable and/or protect fragile household goods and to consolidate the carrying and stacking on moving day. Self-service moving companies offer another viable option: the person moving buys space on one or more trailers or shipping containers. These containers are then driven by professionals to the new location.
Legal regulations
The moving industry is governed by a dual framework of jurisdictional oversight designed to prevent unlicensed operations and ensure consumer safety. These regulations vary significantly based on whether a move is performed within a single state (intrastate), across state lines (interstate), or internationally.
United States
In the United States, oversight is divided between federal and state agencies. Interstate moves are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which mandates that carriers obtain a unique USDOT number and provide consumers with standardized documentation, such as the "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet.[5]
State-level oversight
Intrastate moves are governed by state-specific agencies, such as a Department of Transportation or a Public Utility Commission. While specific requirements vary by jurisdiction, most states utilize a standardized model for household goods (HHG) carriers:
- Licensing: Most jurisdictions require a "Common Carrier Certificate" or a state-specific permit. For example, in Louisiana, the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) requires a certificate under La. R.S. 45:164(E), while in Texas, movers must register with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.[6]
- Financial Security: Regulators typically mandate public liability (Form E) and cargo insurance (Form H). Minimum requirements often include specific liability thresholds and a mandatory surety bond, such as the $5,000 bond enforced in Louisiana to protect against unfair trade practices.[7]
- Advertising Compliance: To assist in identifying "rogue movers," many states require the display of license credentials in all marketing. Under LPSC General Order R-30507, carriers must list their legal name and certificate number on all websites and invoices.[8]
International variations
In Canada, moving services are regulated at the provincial level through consumer protection acts to prohibit "hostage load" tactics. In the United Kingdom and Australia, movers (often called "removalists") must adhere to national fair trading laws and transport safety standards.
See also
References
- ^ Stellin, Susan (2007-07-29). "The Movers Are Here. Have You Done Your Homework?". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-12-07.
- ^ "American Moving & Storage Association -- Industry Fact Sheet" (PDF). American Moving & Storage Association. American Moving & Storage Association. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-07. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
- ^ Gresik, Dylan; Shane III, Leo (2020-03-20). "Sudden halt on military moves due to coronavirus could cripple industry, officials warn". Military Times. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
- ^ "Americans say moving is more stressful than divorce, having children, survey claims". foxnews.com. 2020-09-30. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "Protect Your Move". FMCSA. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ "Louisiana Revised Statute 45:164". Louisiana State Legislature. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ "Application for Household Goods Carriers (Form T-77)" (PDF). Louisiana Public Service Commission. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ "Regulatory Credentials and Licensing Compliance". Atmosphere Movers. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
LPSC #6892-B; USDOT #1043891
