Your Rights When You Move Across State Lines

Before you book

• Check the mover's USDOT number and that it's registered for interstate household goods moves. Its ads must show that number.
• Expect a survey of your belongings — in person or by video — before a written estimate, unless you waive it in writing.
• With the written estimate you must get "Ready to Move?" and "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move", as copies or links. If you use the links, the mover needs your signed, dated receipt.
• A non-binding estimate is free; a binding one may cost money.

Before loading

• You get the bill of lading at least 3 days before the scheduled loading, and can cancel it without penalty for 3 days after signing.
• You must also receive a notice that the mover's tariff is available, a summary of its arbitration program, and a summary of its complaint procedure with its main phone number.
• Nobody may make you sign a blank document.
• An itemized inventory is prepared at or before loading, and you may watch and verify it.
• Choose your valuation: Full Value Protection unless you waive it in writing.

In transit and at delivery

• The mover must deliver on the agreed date or within the period on the bill of lading, and tell you as soon as a delay becomes apparent.
• You may watch any weighing and demand a reweigh before unloading.
• Non-binding estimate: pay up to 110% (plus services you added and capped extras) and the mover must release your goods.
• Binding estimate: the mover collects the estimate amount, plus only services you signed for and capped extras.
• The form of payment agreed at the estimate must be honored at delivery.

After the move

• You have at least 9 months to file a damage claim.
• The mover has 30 days to acknowledge it and 120 days to resolve it.
• Disputes up to $10,000 can go to binding arbitration at your request, and you pay at most half the cost of starting it.

If something goes wrong

If a mover refuses to deliver unless you pay more than it's entitled to, the federal rules tell you to contact the FMCSA immediately at (888) 368-7238. Holding goods hostage carries a civil penalty of at least $10,000 per violation, and each day can count separately.

For complaints in general, the mover must have its own written complaint procedure and give you a summary of it. Use it first, keep everything in writing, and file with the FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database if it doesn't resolve.

The tariff: the mover's price list

A mover's rates and rules live in its tariff, and every charge on your bill — including the method of payment — has to follow it. Federal law requires household goods movers to make the tariff available for you to inspect on reasonable request, and a tariff can't be enforced against you unless you were given notice that it's available, on the bill of lading or otherwise. The mover must also give you an honest, truthful invoice.

You rarely need to read a tariff end to end, but asking for the sections that set the rates in your estimate is a fair check, especially on a non-binding move where the final bill follows them.

Moving within one state?

These federal consumer rules apply only to interstate moves. In-state moves follow your state's rules, which range from full licensing with capped rates to no mover license at all.

Common questions