TIPS 

FOR A 

SUCCESSFUL 

INTERSTATE 

MOVE...

Moving Checklist

Before the Move ❑ Obtain the booklet Your Rights and

Responsibilities When You Move from the mover. 

❑ Ask for recommendations from neighbors,

friends, and relatives regarding the mover.

❑ Check with the Better Business Bureau

regarding the mover.

❑ Find out what the mover’s responsibilities 

are for damages that may occur to your belongings.

❑ Ask if the mover has a dispute settlement program. ❑ Obtain estimates from at least three movers,

and compare costs and all other services to be

provided by the mover.

❑ Check to determine whether the interstate mover is

registered with FMCSA, and has a USDOT number.

❑ Find out how and when pickup and delivery of

your household goods will occur.

❑ Ask the mover how

they can be contacted

before the move,

during the move, and

after the move.

Moving Day ❑ Be present to answer questions and give directions

to the movers. Stay until they finish.

❑ Accompany the movers as they inventory your

household goods and resolve any questions

regarding the condition of materials being moved.

❑ Carefully read the information on the estimate,

order for service, bill of lading, inventory, and all

other completed documents before you sign them.

❑ Keep the bill of lading until your goods are delivered,

the charges are paid, and any claims are settled.

❑ Before the moving van leaves, take one final look

throughout the house to make certain nothing has

been left behind.

❑ Give the driver directions to your new home. ❑ Inform the driver and the moving company of

where you can be reached during the move.

Delivery Day ❑ Be present to answer any questions and

give directions.

❑ Pay the driver before your goods are unloaded. ❑ Supervise unloading and unpacking of your goods. ❑ Note on the inventory list all boxes or other items

that are damaged before you sign any documents.

Useful Web Sites &

Telephone Numbers

What is the FMCSA official Web site?

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov

Where can I get a copy of Your Rights and

Responsibilities When You Move?

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/moving.htm

Where can I find out whether a mover is registered 

with FMCSA? 

http://fmcsa-li.volpe.dot.gov, or call (202) 366-9805

Where can I obtain information about a mover, broker,

or freight forwarder’s insurance and process agent? 

http://fmcsa-li.volpe.dot.gov, or call (202) 385-2423

How do I get assistance to determine if a carrier has

assessed the correct transportation charges? 

Call the Surface Transportation Board at (866) 254-1792

Where may I file a complaint against a mover? 

http://www.1-888-dot-saft.com, or call FMCSA’s 

24-hour toll-free hotline at (888) 368-7238.

How can I learn more about movers and transportation?

http://www.moving.org/

Publication No. FMCSA-ESA-03-005

U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

June 2003
This brochure has been developed by the

U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT),

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

(FMCSA) to assist you in a successful move

across state lines. While most household

moves go smoothly, FMCSA is concerned

about consumers who experience difficulties

in resolving disputes with household goods

carriers (movers) – or worse, are defrauded

by dishonest movers. We want you to be

informed and aware of your options when

choosing a reputable mover.

FMCSA regulates interstate household

goods movers and requires them to register

with the agency. These movers must

provide each customer with the names of

process agents in every state in which

they operate, so that legal documents can

be served on the mover, if required. For

the protection of your household goods,

FMCSA also requires registered movers to

have proof of cargo insurance.

Know Your Rights 

and Responsibilities 

Before Selecting 

a Mover 

Before moving your goods, movers are required to give

you a pamphlet entitled Your Rights and Responsibilities

When You Move. It provides basic information that will

help you understand the documents that the mover will

ask you to sign. The pamphlet also explains your rights if

your household goods are lost or damaged by the mover.

A copy of that pamphlet can be downloaded from

FMCSA’s Web site.

Use Only

Registered Movers

Make sure the mover you

select has been

assigned a USDOT

number, is licensed by

FMCSA to engage in

interstate

transportation of

household goods, and

has proper insurance. 

You can determine if a

mover is registered with

FMCSA by accessing our licensing and insurance Web site

at http://fmcsa-li.volpe.dot.gov, or call FMCSA at (202)

366-9805 for licensing and (202) 385-2423 for insurance.

The best way to avoid problems is to be informed and plan ahead.

REMEMBER

DO NOT SIGN BLANK

PAPERWORK

OR

DOCUMENTS 

YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND!

Read and Understand 

All Information 

Provided by the Mover

The mover should provide you with the following basic

documents as part of your move:

Estimates

The estimate should clearly describe, in writing, all

charges for services the mover will perform. Make

sure the estimate is signed by the mover.

Do not accept oral estimates.

Order For Service

The order for service is a list of all the services the

carrier will perform and shows the dates your

household goods will be picked up and delivered.

Bill of Lading 

The bill of lading is a contract between you and the

mover and a receipt of your belongings. You should

be given a completed copy of the bill of lading before

your goods are loaded.

Inventory List

The inventory is the receipt showing each item you

shipped and its condition. Be sure you receive a

written copy of the inventory after your household

goods are loaded, and that you agree with its

description of your household goods’ condition.

What if There 

Is a Problem? 

Dispute Settlement Program

Before moving your household goods, interstate movers

are required to provide you with information regarding

their dispute settlement program. Movers must offer a

neutral arbitration program as a means of settling disputes

that may arise concerning loss or damage of your

household goods.

Loss or Damage of Goods

If your goods are damaged or missing at delivery, request a

company claim form from the mover. Complete the claim

form to the best of your ability. The mover will tell you

where to mail the completed form. You must file a written

claim with the mover within 9 months of delivery. Your

claim must be in writing but does not have to be submitted

on a mover’s claim form. It is suggested that you send the

claims information to the mover by certified mail.

If you are not satisfied with the settlement offer made by

the mover, you have the option of submitting a loss and

damage claim with the carrier’s dispute settlement

program or of seeking other legal remedies. 

Applicable Transportation Charges 

The charges that a mover assesses for its services must

be contained in a published tariff, which must be made

available to you upon request. If you feel that a mover

has overcharged you, you can contact the Surface

Transportation Board at (866) 254-1792 to obtain assistance.

Filing a Complaint 

FMCSA does not have authority to resolve claims against

a moving company. However, you can file a complaint

against the mover or call FMCSA’s 24-hour toll-free

hotline at (888) 368-7238, or by going to FMCSA’s Web

site. Your complaint may trigger a Federal enforcement

investigation against the mover.