Before your movers arrive, there are certain items that cannot go on the truck — no exceptions. Some are federally regulated, some are safety hazards, and some are simply items that could be damaged or lost in transit. Knowing this in advance avoids delays on moving day and keeps your crew safe.
Here's a complete breakdown of what won't be transported and what to do with each category.
🐾 Pets
As much as we'd love the company, pets cannot travel on the moving truck. This applies to all animals — dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, and any other pets.
- All pets travel in your personal vehicle
- Prepare an overnight kit — food, water, bedding, toys, litter
- Contact your vet to collect records and medications
- Update your pet's microchip and tag with your new address
- Research pet-friendly stops if it's a multi-day drive
- For flights, check airline pet policies well in advance
🔥 Hazardous & Flammable Materials
Federal law prohibits transporting hazardous materials on moving trucks. This isn't a policy preference — it's a legal requirement. These items must be properly disposed of before your move.
- Aerosol cans
- Ammonia
- Ammunition
- Car batteries
- Charcoal & lighter fluid
- Charged scuba tanks
- Chemistry sets
- Cleaning solvents
- Darkroom chemicals
- Fertilizer
- Fire extinguishers
- Fireworks
- Fuels & oils
- Gasoline
- Household batteries
- Kerosene
- Liquid bleach
- Loaded guns
- Matches
- Nail polish & remover
- Paint thinners
- Paints & varnishes
- Pesticides
- Poisons
- Pool chemicals
- Propane tanks
- Sterno fuel
- Weed killer
What to Do With These Items
Contact your city or county for hazardous waste disposal locations — most areas have scheduled drop-off days. Many hardware stores also accept paint and batteries. Moving is actually a great opportunity to clear out items you no longer need anyway.
🥦 Perishable Items
Perishable food and plants generally cannot be transported on long distance moves. A truck in transit isn't temperature controlled, and many states have restrictions on importing certain plants and produce.
- Food without adequate preservation
- Frozen food
- Open or half-used foods
- Plants (indoor and outdoor)
- Produce
- Refrigerated foods
Refrigerator Tip
Empty your refrigerator and freezer and leave the doors open for at least 24 hours before loading day. This lets appliances dry out completely and prevents mold from forming during transit.
For plants you want to keep, transport them in your own vehicle with the windows cracked. Research your destination state's regulations — some states restrict importing certain plant species to protect local agriculture.
💎 Personal & Sentimental Items
These items should travel with you personally — not because we can't physically transport them, but because they're irreplaceable, time-sensitive, or too important to risk. Keep these in your car or carry-on.
- Car titles & deeds
- Cash
- Cell phones & chargers
- Computer backups & data
- Family photos & albums
- Financial documents
- Insurance policies
- Jewelry & furs
- Keys (car, home, furniture)
- Laptop & personal electronics
- Medical & dental records
- New home documents
- Passports & IDs
- Prescription medications
- Professional files & research
- School records
- Prosthetics & medical devices
- Anything truly irreplaceable
Pack These Last, Carry Them Yourself
Put everything from this list in a bag or box that stays in your vehicle — not on the truck. If the truck were delayed or something went wrong in transit, you'd still have everything you need to function at your new home from day one.
Preparing for Moving Day
The best time to deal with these items is a week or two before your move — not the morning the crew arrives. A little planning here avoids last-minute scrambles and keeps your moving day running on schedule.
- Do a walkthrough of every room, garage, and storage area specifically looking for hazardous materials
- Schedule a hazardous waste drop-off run 1–2 weeks before your move date
- Use up, give away, or dispose of perishable food in the weeks leading up to the move
- Collect all your personal documents into one folder that travels with you
- Arrange pet transport and plan your route with pet-friendly stops if needed