Glossary of Moving Terms

Actual Cash Value (ACV): The cost of replacing lost, stolen or damaged property after depreciation. A method of determining the value of an improvement.
Advanced charges: Charges for services not performed by the moving company but by a third party at the shipper's request. The charges for these services are paid for by the moving company and added to your bill.
Agent: A local moving company authorized to act on behalf of the carrier.
Appliance service: Preparation of major electrical appliances to make them safe for shipment.
Bill of Lading: Contract for the services the carrier provides.
Broker: An interstate broker is a person or company who arranges for or offers to arrange the transportation of property by an authorized moving company.
Bulky article: Include such items as pianos, pool tables, boats, snowmobiles, golf carts, and campers. These items usually carry an extra charge to compensate the movers for the difficulty of loading and unloading.
Certified scale: Any scale designed for weighing motor vehicles, including trailers or semi-trailers not attached to a tractor, and certified by an authorized scale inspection and licensing authority. A certified scale may also be a platform or warehouse type scale that is properly inspected and certified.
Carrier/mover: The moving company and its agents, contractors, employees, and representatives.
Cash on Delivery (COD): Payment is required at the time of delivery and prior to unloading at the destination residence or storage.
Claim: A statement of loss or damage to any of the household goods while in the custody of the moving company or its affiliated agent.
Consultant: A representative with whom a shipper discusses the particular move requirements, who usually makes a note of items to be moved, provides information about their company and an estimate for services.
Cost per cubic meter/foot: A rate that represents the estimated space that the property will occupy on a truck or a container.
Cost per Pound: A rate given on the estimated weight of the property being transported.
Cost per hour: A rate given per hour based on the number of movers and the size of the truck used to carry out the move.
Department of Transportation (DOT): The federal agency which, through the Surface Transportation Board within the DOT, governs the interstate transportation industry, including movers of household goods.
Binding estimate: An agreement that is made in advance with the moving company and provides that the total cost of the move will be based upon the quantity and type of items moved and services performed.
Non-Binding estimate: The moving company’s appraisal of the cost of the move based on the estimated weight of the items and the services requested. This estimate is not binding on the mover and the final charges are based on the actual weight of the shipment, the services provided, and the tariff.
Guaranteed pickup and delivery service: An additional level of service featuring guaranteed dates of service, where the moving company provides reimbursement for any delays. This premium service is often subject to a minimum weight requirement.
High value article: Items included in a shipment that are valued at more than $100 per pound. The presence of these items should be disclosed to the moving company to ensure that they are protected accordingly.
Intrastate: Intrastate transportation of household goods is the movement of property from an origin to a destination within the same state. Moving companies performing services as an intrastate mover must be licensed with that individual state's regulatory body. Generally, the regulatory agencies governing intrastate moving companies are the States' Public Utilities Commission (PUC) or Department of Transportation (State DOT).
Interstate: Interstate transportation of household goods is the movement of property from an origin in one state to a destination in another state. Interstate moving companies transporting household goods are regulated and licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). More information about the regulatory and licensing requirements may be found at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
International: International transportation of household goods is the movement of property from an origin in one country to a destination in another country. For Unites States based companies, international moves are regulated by the Federal Maritime Commission. More information may be found at www.fmc.gov.
Inventory: A detailed descriptive list of household goods showing the number and condition of each item.
Line haul charges: The charges for the vehicle transportation portion of the move. These charges, if stated separately, apply in addition to the special/additional service charges.
Long carry: A charge for carrying articles excessive distances, usually over 75 feet, between the mover's vehicle and your residence. Charges for these services may be in addition to the line haul charges.
Operating authority: The certification issued by a state or federal governmental department authorizing a mover or carrier to move household goods between designated geographic areas.
Order for service: A document authorizing the motor carrier to transport the shipper’s household goods. An order for services is not a contract.
Order/Bill of Lading number: The number used to identify and track the shipment.
Packed by Owner (PBO): Occurs when the articles are packed by the shipper.
Peak season rates: Higher line haul charges that are applicable during the summer months.
Shipper: The customer or customer's agent or representative who engaged the carrier to perform moving services.
Shuttle service: The use of a smaller vehicle to provide service to residences not accessible to the mover's normal line haul vehicles.
Special/Additional/Accessorial services: These are services such as packing, appliance servicing, unpacking, or piano stair carries that the shipper request to be performed (or that are necessary because of landlord requirements or other special circumstances). Charges for these service.