9 Things Movers Won't Move (and What to Do With Them)

Are you aware that movers do not move just any item? For various reasons, movers will not move some of your belongings for you.

In many cases, the moving company will give you a list of the items they do not move. But if they do not, this post will come in handy.

The thing is, if you pack a prohibited item, you will have to unpack. Else, the movers will not move such a package.

Of course, having to repack is not something you will want to do. Therefore, you should know what movers will not move before you set out to pack your things.

You might have guessed that movers do not move items like firearms, explosives, and weapons. But you will be surprised at the other things they do not move.

In this post, we offer you a list of items mover will not move. We also tell you what you can do with them.

1. Plants

You might be thinking, “what do plants have to do with anything?” Well, it appears there is a regulation by the USDA (the U.S Department of Agriculture) and various plant agencies. The said regulation prevents the unchecked shipment of plants over long distances.

If you intend to move your plant over 150 miles, you will have to get a license. The rule is set out to prevent the spread of plant diseases, insects, and pests into new areas.

Of course, this applies only to living plants. If what you have is a fake plant, then you are good to go.

When moving plants to a new state, you may contact the authorities in that state or check the laws yourself.

The plant you intend to take with you may be prohibited or may have special requirements for it to be brought into the new state.

If the plant is prohibited in your destination, you may give it out or put it up for sale. However, if the plant is allowed, wrap it up right to ensure it does not die or get damaged.

2. Perishable Food

If you have got any perishable stored up, you may have to consume them before you move.

Moving trucks cannot be kept cool for perishable foods. So, they may spoil in transit. Therefore, movers will not move them.

If you still have leftover perishable food on the day you are meant to move, you may pack them in a cool box and carry them in your car. Alternatively, you may dispose of them or give them out.

Unlike perishable foods, movers may move non-perishable foods. Since they do not require refrigeration for preservation, they are unlikely to spoil while in transit.

So, if you have non-perishable food items, you can move with them. Then again, you may donate them to a food bank. Generally, movers do not want to move any food item – perishable or not.

3. Pets

Movers cannot assure you of the safety of your pet in their vehicle. So, they will not help you move your pet.

For this reason, you have to take the pet along with you in your car or on the plane. Alternatively, you could get a pet relocation company to help you move the pet.

4. Flammables and Explosives

Well, this goes without saying. Flammables and explosives are highly dangerous; it does not take much for these items to ignite. When they do, lives could be lost. So, movers will definitely not move them.

If you have any flammables or explosives, dispose of them appropriately before moving. Do not try to move them yourself.

Now, you might know of common flammables like gasoline, kerosene, fireworks, aerosols, and lighter fluid.

But there are some other items you may not readily consider flammables. Some of them include the following:

Nail Polish and Nail Polish Remover

You may not know, but nail polish and nail polish remover are flammable. If they are not handled properly, they will go up in flames.

No mover wants that. So, it is no surprise they do not move such items. Rather than move your nail polish and nail polish remover yourself, it is best to discard them. They are not worth the risk.

Equipment Containing Fuel

It may not readily occur to you that any equipment containing fuel can potentially go up in flames. But movers will not move any tool containing fuel.

So, your snowblower, motorcycle, and lawnmower will not be moved until you empty the fuel in them.

Also, if you want to move your barbecue grill, you have to detach the propane tank. Then give the tank away if you are moving over a long distance. If you are moving locally, you may move it yourself.

Scuba gears also fall under this category because scuba tanks contain pressurized oxygen. If the tank is not handled as it should be, it could explode.

So, if you want your scuba gear moved with other items, you have to exclude the tank. If you decide to move the tank yourself, ensure you empty it. As long as the tank is not empty, the risk of explosion still stands.

5. Family Heirlooms, Personal Items, and Valuables

Movers usually decide against moving personal valuables and family heirlooms. Their reason is pretty simple.

Their liability coverage will only pay the current value of lost or damaged items. Of course, you will not be pleased if you are receiving less than their initial cost.

Some items may even be irreplaceable or hard to replace. So, ultimately the strain will be on you.

Besides, family heirlooms come with sentimental values; no amount of money can replace this value. So, the movers will rather have you move these items yourself.

So, items like your passport, jewelry, laptop, medical records, photo albums, keys, and many more should be moved by you.

6. Corrosives

This also goes without saying. Movers will not move corrosive items like batteries with acids, solvents, nitric acid, muriatic acid, and other similar chemicals.

If these items spill as they are being transferred into the truck, the movers will get hurt. Also, if they spill while in transit, other non-corrosive items may get damaged. The mover’s vehicle may even get damaged.

7. Medical Device and Medications

Movers may not move some medical devices or medications for your safety. This is especially true if they are those you use regularly.

You might need them at any time. But if they are with the mover, they will be inaccessible, and things could go bad really fast.

8. Liquids

Movers will generally turn down liquids. Whether they are toxic, non-toxic, safe, or potentially hazardous, movers may not move them.

Their reason? These items may spill and cause a mess or damage other items in the truck. If the liquid is toxic and it spills, it may harm the mover’s health.

9. Hazardous Items

You may have many other hazardous items without being aware of their potential danger. However, movers know these items, and they will not move them.

Some of such items include the following:

Fertilizers
Paints
Fire Extinguishers
Aerosol Containers
Pool Chemicals
Pesticides
Charcoal

Bleach
Cleaning Supplies
Anti-Freeze
Matches
Darkroom Chemicals
Sterno
Paint Thinner

Generally, if you cannot discard an item in a regular trash can, movers will not move it. This is one way through which you can figure out the hazardous materials you have.