Glossary
A
Accessorial (Additional) Services
Services such as packing, unpacking, extra stop or a shuttle that you request (or are necessary because of landlord requirements or other special circumstances). Charges for these services are in addition to the transportation costs.
B
Bulky Article
To ensure safe transportation, some articles included (e.g., big screen TVs, motorcycles, hot tubs, pianos, etc.) require extra handling and therefore carry additional charges.
Binding/Non-Binding Estimate
A binding estimate is an agreement made in advance between you and the mover that guarantees the total cost of the move based on the quantity of items and services shown on the estimate.
A non-binding estimate is an approximation of the cost based on the estimated weight of the shipment for a long distance move or the number of trucks, men, and hours (and days) for a local move as well as the services requested. A non-binding estimate means that the final charges will be based on the actual weight and tariff provisions in effect or the actual time and materials used to complete your move.
Bill of Lading
Your receipt for your shipment and services. Your signature acknowledges that your household goods can be loaded on the van and released to the mover. It is also the contract for transportation.
C
Carrier
The moving company providing interstate transportation of household goods under whose DOT (Department of Transportation) registration the shipment is moved.
Crates
Individual containers for storing and protecting your household goods in the warehouse. Also referred to as a vault. Each crate only contains your items.
Certified Scale
Any scale designed for weighing motor vehicles, including trailers or semitrailers not attached to a tractor, and certified by an authorized scale inspection and licensing authority.
Cash on Delivery (COD)
COD means that payment is required at the time of delivery at the destination (residence or warehouse).
Claim
Statement of loss, damage, or delay to a household good shipment while in the care, custody or control of the mover/carrier.
Carrier Packed (CP)
Articles that are packed by the mover and not you (PBO Packed by Owner).
D
Diversion
A change of the shipment’s destination after it is en route, transportation charges would be calculated from the point of origin, to the point at which the carrier is able to effect the diversion, plus the transportation charge from the diversion point to the new destination point.
Department of Transportation (DOT)
The federal agency which, through the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) within the DOT, governs the interstate transportation industry, including movers of household goods.
E
Expedited Service
An agreement to perform transportation by a set date in exchange for an agreed upon additional charge.
En Route Services
Conditions which make it physically impossible to perform in a usual and customary manner so that specialized equipment and/or additional labor is required to complete pickup or delivery of your shipment. Charges for services required due to necessary operations, even if you do not request these services, require payment at the time of delivery. The specific services considered to be necessary or impracticable operations are defined in the tariff.
Extra Pickup or Delivery
Line-haul/transportation charge includes pickup from a single address and delivery to a single address. Additional charges are assessed for each stop requiring an additional pickup or delivery.
Extra Labor
Hourly labor charge for performing any requested services for which specific fees are not published. This generally covers activities such as removing/placing items in attics/crawlspaces, packing/unpacking owner’s furnished containers, etc.
Exclusive Use of Vehicle
Upon request and subject to availability, you may request an exclusive unit for a shipment. Additional charges are applied based on weight and distance.
F
Flight Charge
An additional charge for carrying items up or down flights of stairs. Charges for these services may be in addition to the line-haul charges.
Full-Service Packing & Unpacking
The full-service packing rates include cartons and packing labor. The full-service unpacking rates include the unpacking of the carrier/mover’s packed cartons and the removal of such debris.
Fuel Surcharge
The tariff provides for a percentage adjustment to the transportation charge (and SIT Pickup and Delivery) to aid in the recovery of the increased cost of fuel. The surcharge, which can change monthly, is based upon the national average cost of diesel as reported by the U.S. Department of Energy.
H
High-Value Article Inventory Form
A special high-value inventory form is used to list items included in a shipment that are valued at more than $100 per pound to ensure they are protected accordingly.
I
Inventory
A detailed descriptive list of items and their condition before your household goods are loaded. Each item is assigned a unique number as an identifier on the inventory.
Insurance-Related General Increase (IRR Surcharge)
The tariff provides for a percentage adjustment to the transportation charge (and SIT Pickup and Delivery) to aid in the recovery of the increased cost of liability insurance expenses.
L
Long Carry
A charge for carrying articles excessive distances between the moving van and your residence.
N
Non-Allowable List (Prohibited Items)
Any property that will contaminate or damage (i.e., bug infestations, chemicals, propane tanks, etc.) the mover’s property or the property of other customers. In addition, any item(s) that would pose a safety concern to the mover(s). It also may apply to items that would damage the article or the premises (i.e., furniture that will not fit through doorways).
O
Overtime Loading & Unloading Service
If you request loading or unloading on a specific date which is a Sunday or a holiday, an overtime charge, based on the weight of your shipment can be assessed. This is also true if prevailing laws, ordinances or landlord requirements will not allow loading/unloading during normal working hours on week days.
Overflow
When articles to be shipped are left behind due to insufficient space on the primary van. An additional van is then utilized for transportation and delivery. Or storage for an item that is too large or bulky to fit into a storage crate.
Origin and Destination Service Charge
Charges which compensate for basic handling and servicing of the shipment and are based on the weight of the shipment, plus any weight additives, and the location where the shipment is being picked up and delivered.
Order for Service
A document authorizing the services as outlined in your estimate.
P
Peak Season Rates
Higher line-haul charges and/or hourly rates that may be applicable during the busy moving season (usually between May and September.)
Packed By Owner (PBO)
When articles are packed by you for moving.
S
Storage
Short-term or long-term placement of your household goods in containers in a warehouse facility providing safe custody and protection.
Survey
Examination of your belongings in order to develop an estimate of move charges and requested services.
Storage-In-Transit (SIT)
The temporary storage of your household goods in the warehouse, pending further transportation out of state at a later date. SIT service may not exceed a total of 180 calendar days. After 180 days, the interstate nature of the shipment ends and is converted to the rules of the local warehouseman.
Shuttle Service
A shuttle service is the use of a secondary, smaller vehicle to complete the pickup or delivery of your shipment. A shuttle will be used if logistical constraints (extremely narrow road, weak bridge, etc.) prevent the tractor-trailer from access to your residence. Inadequate parking, resulting in an excessive long carry, could also necessitate the use of a shuttle. Charges for this service are based on the weight of the shipment and the location where the service is performed.
T
Third-Party Services
Performed by someone other than the mover at your request or required by federal, state or local law (appliance servicing for example).
Tariff
A publication containing the rates, rules and regulations for services performed. The mover’s tariff must provide you the rates, services, and terms applicable to your shipment.
U
Unpacking
Removing your items from containers and placing them on a flat surface, as well as the disposal of containers and packing materials. Unpacking service, has to be requested and is not a typical part of a move and is performed at the time of delivery unless requested otherwise.
V
Valuation
The monetary value that you declare for your household goods while they are in the care, custody and control of the carrier/mover. This is the maximum amount that your mover is liable for in the event of a total loss or damage. Valuation is NOT insurance.
W
Waiting Time
If you are unable to accept delivery of your shipment within 2 hours after notification of arrival at destination, you may request waiting time until delivery can be made. The alternative is unloading your shipment at an agent’s warehouse. You will have storage, handling and delivery from warehouse expenses, and consequently it may be less expensive to pay for waiting time, if it is not for an excessive length of time. Carriers/movers are not obligated to provide waiting time, but we will do so when it does not result in the delay in the delivery of other shipments or does not cause other undue inconvenience or cost to the carrier/mover.
