You’ve sorted through closets, labeled boxes, and set your household move date. Then, a week before the truck arrives, you realize some things in your garage might not be allowed on board. This catches a lot of people off guard, and it’s worth knowing before moving day—not after.
Professional movers operate under federal and state transportation rules that spell out what can and cannot travel in a commercial truck. These rules protect you, the movers, and everyone on the road. Here’s what typically can’t make the trip—and what to do with those items instead.
Anything Flammable, Explosive, or Corrosive
This is the category with the strictest rules, and for good reason. Items that can ignite, leak, or react chemically become far more dangerous inside a sealed truck—especially in Florida’s heat. Gasoline and propane tanks are the most common surprises people try to include. Even an empty tank still contains flammable residue. Paint, paint thinner, aerosol cans, pesticides, pool chemicals, car batteries, and fireworks all fall into this category as well.
Cleaning supplies are another one that trips people up. That bottle of bleach under the sink or the oven cleaner you’ve had for years? Movers can’t take it, opened or not, in most cases. The safest move is to use what you can before the big day, donate what’s left, or drop it at a local hazardous waste collection site.
Pro Tip: Drain gas from lawn mowers, generators, and any other small-engine equipment at least 24 hours before your move. The equipment itself can usually go on the truck—the fuel cannot.
Perishable Food
Fresh, frozen, and refrigerated food can’t travel well in the back of a moving truck, and most movers won’t accept it. Spoiled food causes odors, attracts pests, and creates a mess that can affect other people’s belongings when shared in the same vehicle on longer hauls. The practical solution is to eat through your perishables in the weeks before you move, donate non-perishables to a local food bank, and pack a small cooler in your car for anything you’re determined to bring along.
Houseplants
Plants are living things, and moving trucks aren’t designed to keep them alive. Temperature swings, darkness, and poor air circulation make the journey difficult for most plants. On top of that, some states—including Florida—have agricultural regulations that restrict the movement of certain plant species across county or state lines to prevent the spread of pests and diseases. If you’re moving locally in the Melbourne, Orlando, or Fort Lauderdale area, transporting plants in your personal vehicle is your best option.
Pets
This one goes without saying, but it’s worth mentioning. Animals should never travel in a moving truck. Whether you have a dog, a cat, or something more exotic, arrange proper transport ahead of time—whether that’s in your own car, a pet-friendly vehicle service, or a professional pet transport company.
Cash, Jewelry, and Important Documents
These items aren’t prohibited by law, but every reputable mover will strongly recommend that you handle them personally. Jewelry, cash, passports, financial documents, and irreplaceable keepsakes don’t have a dollar value that any insurance policy can truly cover. Keep them with you on moving day. At Sorensen Moving & Storage, we’ve been helping Florida families move since 1956, and this is one piece of advice we give to every single customer.
Pro Tip: Put together a “personal essentials” bag before moving day. Include your documents, valuables, medications, phone chargers, and a change of clothes. Keep it in your car—not on the truck.
Firearms and Ammunition
Firearms and ammo are typically not accepted by movers, especially for interstate moves. Transport them yourself, in accordance with all applicable laws, or work with a licensed firearms dealer who can handle the process legally.
Plan Ahead, and You’ll Have No Surprises
The best time to sort through restricted items is a week or two before your move—not the morning the truck shows up. Set aside a separate area in your home for anything that can’t go on the truck and make a plan for each item: dispose of it, donate it, or pack it in your personal vehicle.
When you’re ready to move with Sorensen Moving & Storage, our team walks you through the process and answers any questions about what to expect. We’re here to make your move across Melbourne, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, or anywhere in between as smooth as possible. Contact us today for a free quote.
