A

Definition

Accessorial (Additional) Services

Services such as packing, appliance servicing, unpacking, or piano stair carries that you ask to be performed (or that are necessary because of landlord requirements or other special circumstances). Charges for these services may be in addition to the line haul charges.

Advanced Charges

Charges for services performed by someone other than the mover. A professional, craftsman, or other third party may carry out these services at your request. The mover pays for these services and adds the charges to your bill of lading charges.

Agent

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

Appliance Service by Third Party

The preparation of major electrical appliances to make them secure for shipment. Charges for these services may be in addition to the line haul charges.

B

Definition

Bill of Lading

The receipt for your goods and the contract for their transportation.

NOTE: 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. The bill of lading is an important document. Do not lose or misplace your copy.

Broker

A company that arranges for the truck transportation of cargo belonging to others, utilizing for-hire carriers to provide the actual truck transportation. A broker does not take responsibility for the cargo and usually does not take possession of the cargo.

C

Definition

Carrier

The mover transporting your household goods.

Cash on Delivery (COD)

Payment is required at the moment of delivery at the destination residence (or warehouse).

Commercial Shipper

Any person who is named as the consignor or consignee in a bill of lading contract who is not the owner of the goods being transported but who assumes the responsibility for expense of the transportation and other tariff charges for the account of the beneficial owner of the goods. The beneficial owner of the goods is normally an employee of the consignor and/or consignee. A freight forwarder tendering a shipment to a carrier in furtherance of freight forwarder operations is also a commercial shipper. The Federal government is a government bill of lading shipper, not a commercial shipper.

E

Definition

Estimate, Binding

An agreement made in advance with your mover, which guarantees the total price of the move based upon the quantities and services shown on the estimate.

Estimate, Non-Binding

This is what your mover believes the price will be, based upon the estimated weight of the shipment and the accessorial services requested. A non-binding estimate is not binding on the mover. The final charges will be based upon the actual weight of your shipment, the services provided, and the tariff provisions in effect. You must be prepared to pay 10 percent more than the estimated charges at delivery (110 Percent Rule).

Expedited Service

An agreement with the mover to perform transportation by a set date in exchange for charges based upon a higher minimum weight.

F

Definition

Flight Charge

A charge for carrying items up or down flights of stairs. Charges for these services may be in addition to the line haul charges.

For-Hire Carrier

A trucking company that is paid to transport cargo belonging to others.

Force Majeure

A defense protecting the parties in the event that a part of the contract cannot be performed due to causes which are outside the power of the parties and could not be avoided by exercise of due care.

Freight Forwarder

A company that arranges for truck transportation of cargo belonging to others, utilizing for-hire carriers to provide the actual truck transportation. A freight forwarder assumes responsibility for the cargo from origin to destination and typically takes possession of the cargo at some point during the transportation. Freight forwarders typically assemble and consolidate less-than-truckload shipments into truckload shipments at origin, and disassemble and deliver shipments at destination.

Full Value

Under this option, the mover is accountable for the replacement value of lost or damaged goods (as long as it doesn't exceed the total declared value of the shipment). If you elect to purchase full value protection (FVP), and your mover loses, damages or destroys your articles, your mover must repair, restore with like items, or settle in cash at the current market replacement value, regardless of the age of the lost or damaged item. The minimum declared value of a shipment under this option is $5,000 or $4.00 times the actual total weight (in pounds) of the shipment, whichever is greater.

For example, the minimum declared value for a 4,000-pound (1,814.4-kilogram) shipment would be $16,000. Your mover may offer you FVP with a $250 or $500 deductible, or with no deductible at all. The amount of the deductible will affect the cost of your FVP coverage. The $4.00 per pound minimum valuation rate may be increased annually by your mover based on changes in the household furnishings part of the Consumer Price Index established by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Unless you specifically agree to other arrangements, the mover must assume liability for the entire shipment based upon this option. The approximate cost for FVP is $8.50 for each $1,000 of declared value; however, it may vary by mover. In the example above, the valuation charge for a shipment valued at $16,000 would be $136.00. As noted above, this fee may be adjusted annually by your mover based on changes in the household furnishings element of the Consumer Price Index.

Alternatively, see Released Value.

G

Definition

Government Bill of Lading Shipper

Any person whose property is transported under the terms and conditions of a government bill of lading issued by any department or agency of the Federal government to the carrier accountable for the transportation of the shipment.

Guaranteed Pickup and Delivery Service

An additional level of service featuring guaranteed dates of service. Your mover will present reimbursement to you for delays. This premium service is often subject to minimum weight requirements.

H

Definition

High Value Article

Items included in a shipment valued at more than $100 per pound ($220 per kilogram).

NOTE: These items should be disclosed to the mover to ensure that they are protected accordingly.

Household Goods (when used in connection with transportation)

The personal effects or property used, or to be used, in a dwelling, when part of the equipment or supplies of the dwelling. Transportation of the household goods must be arranged and paid for by the individual shipper or by another individual on behalf of the shipper. Household goods include property moving from a factory or store if purchased with the intention to use in a dwelling and transported at the request of the householder, who also pays the transportation charges.

I

Definition

Individual Shipper

Any person who is the consignor or consignee of a household goods shipment identified as such in the bill of lading contract. The individual shipper owns the goods being transported and pays the transportation charges.

Interstate Move

The transportation of goods in the United States from a place in one State to a place in a different State (including a place outside the United States); OR between two places in one State through another State or place outside of the United States.

Intrastate Move

The transportation of goods inside one State that never crosses State lines or includes a segment outside of that same State.

NOTE: Intrastate moves are NOT regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Please check with State and Local Resources for assistance with intrastate moves.

Inventory

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

L

Definition

Line Haul Charges

The charges for the vehicle transportation part of your move. These charges, if separately stated, apply in addition to the accessorial service charges.

Long Carry

Charge for carrying articles excessive distances between the mover's vehicle and your residence. Charges for these services may be in addition to the line haul charges.

M

Definition

Motor Carrier

A company that provides truck transportation. There are two forms of motor carriers: private and for-hire carriers.

O

Definition

110 Percent Rule

Movers are required by law to deliver your goods for no more than 10 percent above the price of a non-binding estimate.

Order for Service

A document authorizing a mover to transport an individual shipper's household goods.

P

Definition

Peak Season Rates

Higher line haul charges applicable during the summer months.

Pickup and Delivery Charges

Separate transportation charges applicable for transporting your shipment between the storage-in-transit warehouse and your residence.

Private Carrier

A company that supplies truck transportation of its own cargo, usually as part of a business that produces, uses, sells and/or buys the cargo being hauled.

R

Definition

Reasonable Dispatch

The performance of transportation on the dates, or during the period, agreed upon by the mover and the individual shipper and shown on the Order For Service/Bill of Lading. For example, if a mover deliberately withholds any shipment from delivery after an individual shipper offers to pay the binding estimate or 110 percent of a non-binding estimate, the mover has not transported the goods with reasonable dispatch. The term "reasonable dispatch" excludes transportation provided under a mover's tariff provisions requiring guaranteed service dates. The mover will have the defenses of force majeure, i.e., superior or overpowering force, as construed by the courts.

Released Value (Basic Value)

This is the most economical protection option available. This no-additional-cost option provides minimal protection. Under this choice, the mover assumes liability for no more than 60 cents per pound ($1.32 cents per kilogram), per article. Loss or damage claims are settled based upon the pound (kilogram) weight of the article multiplied by 60 cents per pound ($1.32 cents per kilogram).

For example, if your mover lost or destroyed a 10-pound (4.54-kilogram) stereo component valued at $1,000, your mover would be liable for no more than $6.00. Obviously, you should think carefully prior to agreeing to such an arrangement. There is no extra charge for this minimal protection, but you must sign a specific statement on the bill of lading agreeing to it.

Alternatively, see Full Value protection.

S

Definition

Shuttle Service

Use of a smaller vehicle to provide service to residences that are not accessible to the mover's normal line haul equipment (large moving vans).

Storage-in-Transit (SIT)

The temporary warehouse storage of your shipment pending further transportation, with or without notice to you. If you (or someone representing you) cannot accept delivery on the agreed-upon date or within the agreed-upon time period (for example, because your home is not quite ready to occupy), your mover may place your shipment into SIT without notifying you. In those circumstances, you will be accountable for the added charges for SIT service, as well as the warehouse handling and final delivery charges.

However, your mover also may place your shipment into SIT if your mover was able to make delivery before the agreed-upon date (or before the first day of the agreed-upon delivery period), but you did not concur with early delivery. In those circumstances, your mover must notify you immediately of the SIT, and your mover is fully accountable for redelivery charges, handling charges, and storage charges.

Surface Transportation Board (www.stb.dot.gov)

This agency within the Department of Transportation regulates household goods carrier tariffs among other responsibilities.

T

Definition

Tariff

An issuance (in whole or in part) containing rates, rules, regulations, classifications or other provisions related to a motor carrier's transportation services. The Surface Transportation Board requires that a tariff contain three exact items. First, an accurate description of the services the mover offers to the public. Second, the specific applicable rates (or the basis for calculating the specific applicable rates) and service terms for services offered to the public. Third, the mover's tariff must be arranged in a way that allows you to determine the precise rate(s) and service terms applicable to your shipment.

V

Definition

Valuation

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

All movers are required to assume liability for the value of goods that they transport. Most movers offer two levels of liability—basic and full value. "Basic value" is also referred to as "released value."

W

Definition

Warehouse Handling

A charge may be applicable each time SIT service is provided. Charges for these services may be in addition to the line haul charges. This charge compensates the mover for the physical placement and removal of items within the warehouse.