Glossary of Moving Terminology:

ACCESSORIAL (ADDITIONAL) SERVICES - services such as packing, appliance servicing, unpacking, or piano stair carries that you request to be performed (or are necessary because of landlord requirements or other special circumstances). Charges for these services are in addition to the transportation charges.

ADVANCED CHARGES - charges for services not performed by the mover but instead by a professional, craftsman or other third party at your request. The charges for these services are paid for by the mover and added to your bill of lading charges.

AGENT - a local moving company authorized to act on behalf of a larger, national company.

APPLIANCE SERVICE - preparation of major electrical appliances to make them safe for shipment.

BILL OF LADING - the receipt for your goods and the contract for their transportation. It is your responsibility to understand the bill of lading before you sign it. If you do not agree with something on the bill of lading, do not sign it until you are satisfied that it is correct. The bill of lading is an important document. Don't lose or misplace your copy.

BINDING/NON-BINDING ESTIMATE - a binding estimate is an agreement made in advance with the mover that guarantees the total cost of the move based on the quantities and services shown on the estimate. A non-binding estimate is the carrier's approximation of the cost based on the estimated weight of the shipment and the accessorial services requested. A non-binding estimate is not binding on the carrier and the final charges will be based on the actual weight and tariff provisions in effect.

BOOKING AGENT - You or your company has placed your move directly with the booking agent. The booking agent is responsible for setting up and managing your move. 

BROKER -  a company that arranges for the truck transportation of cargo belonging to others, utilizing for-hire carriers to provide the actual truck transportation. However, the Broker does not assume responsibility for the cargo and usually does not take possession of the cargo.

CARRIER - the mover providing transportation of your household goods.

C.O.D. - transportation for an individual shipper for which payment is required at the time of delivery at the destination residence (or warehouse).

DESTINATION AGENT - The Destination Agent is responsible for providing the following services at destination:  Provides a crew to be hired by the driver to unload the truck and place your belongings inside your new home.  Provides a crew to unpack cartons (if you or your company has authorized unpacking service). Note that movers do not put the contents of unpacked cartons away into cabinets, drawers, or closets. The result of unpacking service is, therefore, quite often disorganized and cluttered. You may want to consider performing the unpacking of boxes yourself.  Provides storage at destination if this service has been requested and approved by you or your company.  Advise the van line and/or your booking agent of any problems that may arise at destination.

EXPEDITED SERVICE - an agreement with the mover to perform transportation by a set date in exchange for charges based on a higher minimum weight.

FLIGHT CHARGE - an extra charge for carrying items up or down flights of stairs.

GUARANTEED PICKUP AND DELIVERY SERVICE - an additional level of service whereby dates of service are guaranteed, with the mover proving reimbursement for delays. This premium service is often subject to minimum weight requirements.

HIGH VALUE ARTICLE - items included in a shipment that are valued at more than $100 per pound.

INVENTORY - the detailed descriptive list of your household goods showing the number and condition of each item.

LINEHAUL CHARGES - charges for the vehicle transportation portion of your move. These charges apply in addition to the additional service charges.

LONG CARRY - an added charge for carrying articles excessive distances between the mover's vehicle and your residence.

ORDER FOR SERVICE - the document authorizing the mover to transport your household goods.

ORDER (BILL OF LADING) NUMBER - the number used to identify and track your shipment.

ORIGIN AGENT - The Origin Agent is responsible for providing you with the following services at origin:  Estimates the size and the cost of your move.  Provides a crew to pack boxes (if you or your company has ordered this service).   Provides a crew to be hired by the driver to remove your belongings from your home and load the moving van.  Provides storage at origin, if this service has been requested and approved by you or your company.  Advises the Booking Agent and/or your van line's customer service team of any problems which may arise at origin.

PACK SLIP - This document details the quantity of cartons the mover provided and/or packed, applicable "Long Carries", "Stair Carries", "Elevator Carries", Additional Labor hours and other information affecting the cost of your move. Definitions of these services should be shown on the reverse side of this document. Remember that you are approving charges by signing this document. It is imperative that the quantities listed accurately reflect the work that is performed during your move.

PEAK SEASON RATES - higher linehaul charges that are applicable during the summer months.

PICKUP AND DELIVERY CHARGES - separate transportation charges applicable for transporting your shipment between the SIT warehouse and your residence.

REGISTRATION FEE - a non-refundable service fee or advanced charge.

SHUTTLE SERVICE - use of a smaller vehicle to provide service to residences that are not accessible to the mover's normal, larger linehaul equipment.

STORAGE-IN-TRANSIT (SIT) - temporary warehouse storage of you shipment pending further transportation, for example, if your new home isn't quite ready to occupy. You must specifically request SIT service, which may not exceed a total of 90 days of storage, and you will be responsible for the added charges for SIT service, as well as the warehouse handling and final delivery charges.

TARIFF - the mover's required, published price list of rules, regulations, rates and charges for the performance of interstate moving services.

VALUATION - the degree of "worth" of the shipment. The valuation charge compensates the mover for assuming a greater degree of liability than that provided for in the base transportation charges.

VAN OPERATOR - Your van operator is responsible for providing you with the following services:  The van operator prepares the "Household Goods Descriptive Inventory."   Hires and supervises an adequate number of helpers to load your shipment at origin and unload at destination. Inside pickup (removing the goods from inside the origin residence) is included.  Transports your shipment from point of origin to it's final point of destination (unless your shipment is placed into storage at an origin or destination agent's warehouse).  The driver will place everything you have moved inside your new home in a location which you specify.  The van operator should reassemble any articles which he or she dismantled at origin. Please note that this does not include unusual articles such as swing sets, waterbeds, sheds, etc... which may require a 3rd party service reassemble.

WAREHOUSE HANDLING - an additional charge applicable each time SIT service is provided. This charge compensates the mover for the physical placement and removal of items within the warehouse.