Do movers move everything? The answer is no. There are certain types of items movers won’t move. This is especially important when moving overseas. International movers are quite rigorous about this issue for a good reason. Objects that are labeled as hazardous for long-distance shipment can cause huge problems both for people relocating and for companies. Hence, it is necessary to know what objects are banned.
It Is Important to Learn What Items Movers Won’t Move When Moving Internationally
After hiring an international moving company, you’ll certainly want to relocate as much as you can to your new home. However, it is important to know what you can add to a household inventory list for a move to be efficient. It is best to contact the company and ask for information about this issue.
When relocating across the world, you can make a huge relocation mistake that can really slow down the entire process. It can happen that a relocating crew will refuse to load something onto their trucks as it contains objects that are banned. Therefore, you would have to go through all your containers again and remove everything that is not acceptable. Relocation is stressful as it is, and this will only increase the anxiety.
Will Movers Move Things Not in Boxes? Smaller Objects Have to Be Placed in Containers for Transport
First of all, it is impossible to relocate without adequate packing materials, and one of the tasks that will be on your relocating to-do list is buying boxes. The general rule that all relocating enterprises follow is that everything that can be stored in containers should be stored. Boxes prevent things from breaking, especially during these long-distance moves where storage services will have to be employed as well.
Keep in mind that you will have the opportunity to purchase packing services as well. If you do so, there will be no need to worry about this issue as everything will be performed by professionals. Don’t forget that there will be fragile things or smaller dismantled parts of furniture that all go into boxes, but that all require special attention when preparing for transport.
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Can International Moving Services Move My Prized Possessions?
When moving to a foreign country, you’ll certainly want to take all valuable things to the new home. To answer this question, yes, a relocating crew can pack and move things like jewelry, but this is not recommended by relocation companies. You’ll be advised to pack items like jewelry, documents needed to travel abroad, money, and such by yourself by any professional. The good idea is to include items of this kind in the box of essentials which is an inseparable companion of every long-distance journey.
The most important fact is that relocation businesses will not take responsibility if a small piece of jewelry is lost during the relocation process. Your items will be insured against damages, but there will be no difference between a coffee mug and a golden ring. Therefore, in such cases, you will not receive the appropriate material compensation. And let us not forget that sentimental value cannot be compensated with any amount of money.
On the other hand, if you are relocating objects such as paintings or antique furniture, in short, prized objects that cannot easily get lost, it is recommended to leave the relocation of such possessions to professionals as they will perform the custom crating service which will ensure the maximum safety during long-distance transportation. Furthermore, you will be able to purchase special insurance for such objects.
It Is Also Recommended to Pack Items Like Smaller Electronic Devices by Yourself for Moving
Although it’s not forbidden to ask a relocating crew to pack your laptops, tablets, or phones, this is not advisable. These objects should be treated as jewelry since they are extremely fragile and can be quite expensive as well. Relocating crews do not take responsibility for their safety, and there does not exist any special insurance that can cover potential damages. Therefore, the best thing to do is to include smaller electronic devices in your bag of essentials as well. Of course, when it comes to larger electronic devices such as TVs, kitchen or bathroom appliances, professional help is always welcome.
Can a Relocation Crew Move My Piano?
If you are relocating a special object, such as a piano, you should definitely check with the relocating crew whether they perform such services. Moving a piano requires special attention and equipment, but luckily, most international moving companies perform such tasks. Moreover, having professional assistance is usually necessary when relocating such large, fragile objects.
What Won’t Removalists Take? Certain Types of Hazardous Objects Are Forbidden No Matter Where You Relocate
Before deciding what to pack when relocating abroad, it’s best to contact the company and ask about their policy regarding this issue. However, depending on the country where you relocate, their customs regulations can also differ. So, make sure that you obtain all the needed and valid information before doing anything.
Nonetheless, let us proceed to the main topic of this article and see what objects are commonly banned for long-distance shipments. We’ll begin with hazardous objects that are banned pretty much by every relocation company. By hazardous, we mean all home possessions that contain combustible materials, thus that can have potential explosive properties when exposed to certain conditions. The list has quite a lot of objects with such characteristics, and we will enumerate the main groups:
- Matches, lighters, or firecrackers,
- Ammunition and weapons,
- Batteries,
- Gasoline and any other type of fuel, including objects that may contain fuels,
- Any type of chemicals and acids like cleaning supplies and beauty products,
- Alcohol,
- Varnishes, dyes, paints,
- Fertilizers, pesticides, poisons.
These objects are strictly forbidden by every relocating enterprise and for obvious reasons. Moreover, we urge you not to take this lightly. There are people who may think in this way: “What is the problem of putting a nail polish remover into a box?”. Even such a tiny bottle containing a flammable substance can potentially cause huge problems during overseas relocations.
Objects Containing Combustible Materials Are the Most Important Ones, but Other Kinds Are Banned, Too
If you are relocating out for the first time, some of these policies may seem surprising. Although these objects are not as dangerous as the combustible ones, they can still cause major problems. Let us see what other types of objects are banned by professional moving crews.
Any edible materials – What will packers not pack? Food is always on top of every list of banned objects. The thing is, food can become spoiled during overseas shipment, and in such a putrid state, it can seriously damage both your home possessions and the company’s equipment. The odor can spread and permeate all other containers, and there is the danger of various liquid substances that food in such a state can leak. Moreover, spoiled food can attract various insects and rodents that can gnaw through anything and inflict irreparable damage. In some cases, you may be permitted to place tin cans and other metal containers, but it’s best to check with the relocating crew whether this is acceptable.
Any kind of vegetation – Unfortunately, plants are banned as well. First of all, there is a law that says that plants cannot be moved by relocating enterprises for more than 150 miles. This, of course, means that relocating abroad any type of plant is out of the question. We understand that some people love their plants and find it hard to relocate without them, but there are good reasons why plants are banned. A plant simply cannot survive an overseas shipping procedure and will most likely wither. Moreover, in such a withered state, a plant can also attract insects and rodents, which will cause some major problems. Although it may be hard for you, the best option is to find a new home for them before relocating.
Your furry friends – If you are relocating with your pets, relocating crews will not accept them. When you think about it, it would be horrific to transport a pet by storing it in a container and placing it in the back of a truck and then into a storage unit on a cargo ship. They are living beings that will require attention during a relocation. Ideally, if, for example, relocating with dogs, you should travel together, but that is not always feasible. The best way to travel to your new location is by air. Airline companies have specially devised procedures for pet travel, and they are the most convenient for your furry friends. However, there are also special relocating crews that only deal with pet transportation, so you may want to contact them as well if you have the opportunity to do so.
Certain Objects Require Special Preparation for Packing and Transport
There are various household possessions that will be refused by relocation crews if they are not properly prepared. Let us see what the most common types are:
- Outdoor equipment such as mowers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws that require gasoline and oil in order to function need to be emptied before they can be stored in a truck.
- Barbeques and grills also usually have tanks filled with some sort of fuel, and they will not be accepted if not emptied beforehand.
- Fridges, freezers, and other appliances used for preservation will not be accepted if they contain something.
- Objects that are too dirty or dusty will not be accepted as well, and this applies both to large and small ones that go into boxes.
Therefore, when organizing for a move, you should thoroughly clean all objects that are part of your inventory checklist. By doing this, you’ll prepare everything adequately for the relocating crews, but also, unpacking after the relocation will be much easier, knowing that everything is clean. Here is a useful video on how to clean dusty pieces of furniture and prepare them adequately for transportation.
Can I Leave Some Objects in My Car?
When relocating overseas, you’ll probably look to purchase a vehicle shipping service for your car. Hence, it may seem like a good idea to store something in the trunk or on the backseats. The general rule is to always empty your vehicle for car shipping, and most companies will probably demand that. However, there are cases where it’s possible to store something in the car, of course, something that is not part of the dangerous objects list. Nonetheless, you have to contact the relocating crew and make sure that it is allowed.
Take These Rules Seriously When Relocating Abroad
What won’t movers move? We hope that the answer to this question is clear now. There are many beautiful reasons to relocate abroad, and there is no reason to ruin the experience by acting irresponsibly. Not only can you pay huge fines for not following the rules, but you can also put at risk someone’s life and expose your household possessions to danger, especially by storing any of the mentioned combustible objects. Therefore, if you want your relocation to go smoothly, follow these simple rules.