Whether you are moving across Fort Myers or relocating across the country, every professional moving company maintains a list of items movers will not move. These restrictions exist to protect you, the moving crew, other customers' belongings on the truck, and to comply with federal transportation laws enforced by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Understanding what items will movers not move before packing day helps you avoid surprises, plan ahead for restricted items, and ensure your move runs smoothly from start to finish.
At Frank & Sons Moving and Storage, we provide every customer with a complete non-allowable items list during the estimate process. We want you to know exactly what to expect so you can make arrangements for restricted items well before moving day. Below is a comprehensive guide to the items most professional moving companies, including Frank & Sons, cannot transport.
DOTFederal regulations govern what movers can transport
$75KPer-violation fine for transporting hazardous materials
SafetyProtects you, the crew, and your belongings
FreeWe provide a full non-allowable list at your estimate
Plan Ahead for Restricted Items
The best time to address non-allowable items is during your free in-home estimate, not on moving day. Frank & Sons will walk you through our complete restricted items list so you can plan ahead. Call
(239) 574-4151 to schedule your estimate.
Hazardous and Flammable Materials
Federal law prohibits moving companies from transporting flammable, corrosive, or explosive items. These materials pose serious safety risks during transportation. Heat buildup inside a moving truck can cause combustion, leaks, or explosions that endanger the moving crew, other drivers on the road, and every item on the truck. The following hazardous materials are items movers will not move:
Fuels and accelerants - gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, lighter fluid, lamp oil, and any petroleum-based fuels. These are extremely flammable and can ignite from heat or static electricity inside a moving truck
Propane and compressed gas cylinders - propane tanks, butane tanks, oxygen tanks, helium tanks, and any pressurized gas containers. These can explode when exposed to heat or impact during transit
Paints, stains, and solvents - oil-based paints, paint thinner, turpentine, wood stain, varnish, and lacquer. These are both flammable and can leak, damaging other items on the truck
Fireworks and explosives - fireworks, flares, signal devices, and any explosive materials. These are strictly prohibited under all circumstances
Charcoal and lighter fluid - charcoal briquettes, charcoal lighter fluid, and fire starters. These are combustible and cannot be safely transported
Matches and lighters - strike-anywhere matches, safety matches, and butane or refillable lighters
Cleaning Products and Household Chemicals
Many common household cleaning products contain chemicals that are corrosive, toxic, or flammable, making them items movers will not move. Even sealed containers can leak during transit, potentially damaging furniture, clothing, and other belongings on the truck:
Bleach and ammonia-based cleaners - household bleach, ammonia, and any cleaning products containing these corrosive chemicals
Aerosol cans - hairspray, spray paint, air fresheners, insect spray, and any pressurized aerosol containers that can explode when exposed to heat
Pesticides and herbicides - bug spray, weed killer, rodent poison, and any chemical pest control products
Pool and spa chemicals - chlorine, muriatic acid, pH balancers, and shock treatment products. These are especially common in SWFL homes and are highly corrosive
Nail polish and nail polish remover - acetone-based products are highly flammable and are prohibited items on every moving truck
Fertilizers and lawn chemicals - many fertilizers contain ammonium nitrate or other compounds that become hazardous when combined with heat or other chemicals during transport
Perishable Food Items
Perishable foods are items movers will not move because they can spoil during transit, attract pests, and leak onto other belongings. This applies to both local and long-distance moves:
Refrigerated and frozen foods - meat, dairy, frozen meals, and any food requiring temperature control. Moving trucks are not refrigerated and interior temperatures can exceed 100 degrees in SWFL
Fresh produce and opened food - fruits, vegetables, opened packages, and partially consumed food items that can spoil, leak, or attract insects during transit
Opened condiments and liquids - opened bottles, jars, and containers of sauces, oils, and beverages that can leak and stain furniture, clothing, and boxes during transport
Our recommendation: plan to use up perishable food in the weeks before your move. Donate unopened non-perishable items to a local food bank and purchase fresh groceries once you arrive at your new home.
Plants and Live Animals
Living things require specific environmental conditions that a moving truck cannot provide. Both plants and animals are items movers will not move:
Houseplants and outdoor plants - most moving companies will not transport plants because they cannot survive the heat, darkness, and lack of water inside a sealed moving truck. Many states also have agricultural inspection laws that restrict plant transport across state lines to prevent pest and disease spread
Pets and animals - dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, and all other animals must travel with you or through a specialized pet transport service. A sealed moving truck is a dangerous environment for any living animal
For local SWFL moves: transport plants and pets in your personal vehicle on moving day. For long-distance moves, consider gifting plants to friends or neighbors and using a licensed pet transport service for animals.
Firearms and Ammunition
Firearms and ammunition are items movers will not move due to both safety and legal liability concerns:
Loaded firearms - no moving company will transport loaded weapons under any circumstances
Ammunition and gunpowder - all ammunition, reloading supplies, and gunpowder are explosive materials that are prohibited on moving trucks
Unloaded firearms - policies vary by moving company. Some movers will transport unloaded, properly secured firearms with advance notice, while others will not transport firearms under any circumstances. Always discuss this with your mover during the estimate
Valuables and Personal Items
While these items are not necessarily prohibited, most professional movers strongly recommend you transport the following items yourself rather than placing them on the moving truck. The risk of loss, damage, or theft during transit makes these items too important to entrust to a moving truck:
Cash, jewelry, and precious metals - keep all cash, coins, jewelry, watches, and precious metals with you at all times during your move
Important documents - passports, birth certificates, Social Security cards, financial records, insurance policies, wills, property deeds, medical records, and tax returns should travel with you personally
Prescription medications - all prescription drugs, medical devices, and essential medications should remain in your personal possession throughout the move
Family photos and irreplaceable items - photo albums, heirlooms, and one-of-a-kind items with sentimental value that cannot be replaced if lost or damaged
Laptops, tablets, and external drives - personal electronics containing important data should travel with you to prevent data loss from heat exposure, vibration, or impact
Keys - house keys, car keys, safe keys, and any other keys you will need access to during or immediately after the move
Additional Items Movers Typically Will Not Move
Beyond the major categories above, there are several additional items that often surprise homeowners during the packing process. These are items movers will not move or items that require special arrangements:
Car batteries and wet-cell batteries - these contain acid and are classified as hazardous materials. Remove batteries from any vehicles, boats, or equipment before moving day
Scuba tanks - compressed air tanks are pressurized containers that cannot be transported on a moving truck. Common in SWFL homes near the coast
Wax candles - candles can melt in the heat of a moving truck, especially during SWFL summers, and the melted wax can damage furniture, boxes, and other belongings
Opened or partially used motor oil - motor oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and other automotive fluids are flammable and can leak during transport
Fire extinguishers - pressurized fire extinguishers are classified as compressed gas containers and are typically restricted from moving trucks
Darkroom chemicals and chemistry sets - these contain chemicals that may be toxic, corrosive, or reactive when combined with other substances during transit
How to Handle Non-Allowable Items Before Moving Day
Knowing what items will movers not move is only half the equation. Here is how to handle restricted items properly before your move:
Use up what you can - in the weeks before your move, use up cleaning products, pool chemicals, fuel, and perishable food rather than trying to transport them
Donate what you can - unopened non-perishable food, sealed cleaning products, and plants can often be donated to neighbors, friends, or local charities
Dispose of hazardous materials properly - contact your city or county for hazardous waste disposal locations. Lee County offers household hazardous waste collection events throughout the year. Never pour chemicals down the drain or throw them in regular trash
Transport valuables yourself - pack a personal essentials box or bag with jewelry, documents, medications, electronics, and keys. Keep this with you in your personal vehicle on moving day
Ask your mover for the complete list - every moving company has its own version of a non-allowable items list. Request yours during the estimate so you have plenty of time to make arrangements
Restock at your new home - for most cleaning products, pool chemicals, and household supplies, the easiest solution is simply to purchase replacements after you arrive at your new home
Understanding what items will movers not move is an essential part of planning any successful relocation. At Frank & Sons Moving and Storage, we walk every customer through our complete non-allowable items list during the free in-home estimate so there are never any surprises on moving day. With over 40 years of SWFL moving experience, we help you plan for every detail, including the items that need to stay off the truck.
Have questions about specific items? Call (239) 574-4151 and our team will let you know exactly what we can and cannot transport for your upcoming move.
