Generally, full service transportation of household goods can be divided into three types: international, intrastate, and interstate. Each of the types of moves is governed by different laws and regulatory bodies. The information contained on this website concerns interstate moves exclusively.
INTERNATIONAL transportation of household goods is the movement of property from an origin in one country to a destination in another country. For example, when a consumer shipper moves from the United States to England . For United Statesbased companies, international moves are regulated by the Federal Maritime Commission. For more information see www.fmc.gov.
INTRASTATE transportation of household goods is the movement of property from an origin to a destination within the same state. For example, when a shipper moves from Dallas , Texas , to Austin , Texas . Motor carriers performing intrastate transportation services must be licensed with that individual state's regulatory body, if any. Generally, the regulatory agencies governing intrastate motor carriers are the state Public Utilities Commission (PUC) or Department of Transportation (State DOT). Motor carriers should check with their individual state to receive information about the individual licensing and regulatory requirements.
INTERSTATE transportation of household goods is the movement of property from an origin in one state to a destination in another state. For example, when a shipper moves from San Francisco , California , to Phoenix , Arizona . Interstate motor carriers 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.
Legal Issues:
• Is your weight certificate legal?
• Are visual in-home estimates required?
• May a mover limit its liability?
• How long must you keep your records?
• Is charging by cubic feet legal?
• The 110% consumer protection rule.
