Massachusetts Moving Company Regulations
Massachusetts in-state movers need a license from the Department of Public Utilities and must file a tariff.
Do Movers Need a License in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts in-state movers need a license from the Department of Public Utilities and must file a tariff.
- The DPU publishes a list of licensed movers.
What this means when you hire a mover in Massachusetts
Because Massachusetts requires state authority, a mover doing in-state work there has filed with Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities — and the state can refuse, suspend or revoke that authority. Ask any mover quoting an in-state move for its state license number (Household goods carrier license) and check it with the regulator before you sign.
A USDOT number alone doesn't prove a mover holds Massachusetts authority: the FMCSA record and the state record are separate. Our listings show the federal record; the state check is one you make with Mass.gov — DPU.
Moving Out of Massachusetts? Federal Rules Apply
The state rules above only cover moves that start and end in Massachusetts. The moment your move crosses a state line, the mover answers to the FMCSA, and the federal consumer rules below protect you instead.
In short: the mover must give you a written estimate with two federal booklets, survey your belongings before quoting unless you waive it in writing, collect no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery, offer full value protection, and give you at least nine months to file a damage claim. Each guide below explains one of those rules and links to the regulation text.
Is Your Move In-State or Interstate?
It depends on where your belongings start and end, not on how far they travel. A move from Worcester to Brockton stays inside Massachusetts, so the state rules on this page apply. A move from Worcester to any city in another state is interstate, and federal rules apply instead — even if it's a short drive across the line.
The difference matters when you pick a mover. A company registered for in-state moves only can't legally take your belongings across a state line, so check the registration type before you compare prices.
Where to Complain About a Massachusetts Mover
- In-state move: Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, which can act against the mover's state authority, and the Massachusetts Attorney General's consumer protection office.
- Interstate move: the FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database — or, if a mover won't release your goods after you've paid what the rules allow, the FMCSA at (888) 368-7238. For loss or damage, file a written claim with the mover first — see damage claims & arbitration.
- Either way: keep the estimate, the bill of lading, the inventory, receipts and photos. A complaint with paperwork attached is one a regulator can act on.
Red Flags When Hiring a Mover in Massachusetts
None of these proves a scam on its own. Two or more together is a reason to walk away.
- A quote over the phone or by email with no survey of your belongings.
- A large cash deposit demanded before the move.
- No company name on the truck, or a name and USDOT number that don't match the estimate.
- A blank or incomplete contract you're asked to sign "to save time".
- A price that changes once your belongings are already on the truck.
- A company that can't give you a physical address or a license number.
Massachusetts Movers in Our Directory
Of the 618 Massachusetts-based movers we list from FMCSA records, 262 are registered for in-state moves only — for those, the Massachusetts rules above are what governs your move. 356 are registered to cross state lines.
Most are small: 76% report a single truck to the FMCSA, 20% run two to five, and 4 report more than 20. The largest fleet on file belongs to EASTGATES WIL-NR LLC in Wilmington, with 200 trucks. Worcester has the most movers (28), followed by Brockton (20).
Browse all Massachusetts movers →Massachusetts moving rules: common questions
Do movers need a license in Massachusetts?
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Yes. Massachusetts in-state movers need a license from the Department of Public Utilities and must file a tariff.
Who regulates moving companies in Massachusetts?
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For moves that stay inside Massachusetts: Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. For moves that cross a state line: the federal FMCSA, as in every state.
What rules apply to a move from Massachusetts to another state?
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Federal ones. The mover needs a USDOT number and interstate registration, must give you a written estimate with the two federal booklets, can't collect more than 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery, and must give you at least nine months to file a damage claim.
How do I check a Massachusetts mover before hiring?
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For in-state moves, check the mover with Mass.gov — DPU. For any mover, look up its USDOT number — our USDOT lookup shows the federal record, including whether it's registered for interstate moves.
Can a mover registered for in-state moves only take me out of Massachusetts?
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No. Crossing a state line needs federal registration for interstate operation. 262 of the Massachusetts movers we list are registered for in-state moves only; each listing on our site says which kind of registration a mover holds.
Where can I complain about a Massachusetts moving company?
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For an in-state move, the regulator (Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities) and the Massachusetts Attorney General's consumer protection office. For a move across state lines, the FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database.
Sources
Checked October 26, 2026. State rules change; confirm with the regulator before you rely on them. This page is general information, not legal advice.
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