If your move crosses state lines, the federal rulebook matters more than the mover's origin story. Under 49 CFR Part 375, interstate household goods carriers must hand you a written estimate, explain liability options, and respect delivery payment limits. A move inside one state usually falls under state law instead. Start with the paperwork in your hand.
Check the mover's authority first
Ask for the USDOT number. For an interstate move, ask for the MC number too. Then look both up in the FMCSA SAFER lookup. The legal name and address should match your written estimate. A broker has to disclose in writing that it is a broker and give you the actual carrier's name and USDOT number before the move date. A mismatch is a stop sign.
- Get the legal name, USDOT number, and MC number.
- Search SAFER and confirm the authority is active.
- Match that name to the estimate, the bill of lading, and the truck.
Binding vs non-binding estimates
Thing is, the estimate type changes what you owe at delivery. A binding estimate fixes the price for the services listed. A non-binding estimate is a good-faith projection based on weight and services, but the final bill uses the carrier's actual tariff. The table below shows the delivery math.
| Estimate type | What it means | What you pay at delivery | What can be billed later |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binding | Price fixed for listed services | 100 percent of binding amount | Nothing if services match |
| Non-binding | Projection based on actual weight and services | Up to 110 percent of estimate | Amount above 110 percent, billed at least 30 days later |
For a non-binding move, you pay no more than 110 percent of the estimate at delivery. Anything above that must be billed at least 30 days later. There is a narrow exception for impracticable operations. Those charges cannot exceed 15 percent of the other charges due that day. Read every line. Packing, stairs, long carry, shuttle, storage, and fuel can change the final number if the estimate leaves them out.
Valuation is not insurance
Your estimate must explain two liability choices: Released Value and Full Value Protection. Released Value is the default. It pays 60 cents per pound per article, which usually will not replace a TV or a sofa. Full Value Protection is a higher level of carrier liability, not a separate insurance policy. Ask about the deductible. Ask how the carrier handles high-value items. Items worth more than $100 per pound often need to be listed on a high-value inventory form. That gap matters more than the brand name on the truck.
Delivery day payment and paperwork
On delivery, the cap is simple: 100 percent of a binding estimate or 110 percent of a non-binding one. To be honest, payment forms can include cash, certified check, money order, cashier's check, a specific charge card or credit card, or credit as allowed by 49 CFR Part 375. Don't assume the mover takes your credit card. Ask before loading day. If a crew demands more than the 110 percent cap in cash, treat that as a dispute, not a routine fee.
Damage claims and complaints
Note damage on the inventory before you sign it. File a written claim with the mover. Federal rules and the bill of lading set the deadlines. A common deadline is nine months from delivery. The mover should acknowledge the claim in writing; check the bill of lading for the exact clock. If the carrier won't resolve it, you can file a complaint with FMCSA for an interstate move. The FMCSA Protect Your Move page explains that route. Your state attorney general or consumer protection office may also help.
Local moves are a different rulebook
FMCSA rules cover interstate household goods moves. A move from one city to another inside the same state is usually regulated by that state. The licensing agency can be a public utility commission, a transportation department, or a consumer affairs office. Ask the mover for its state license number and verify it with the state. A USDOT number does not prove the mover is licensed for a local move.
Red flags
- No USDOT or MC number for an interstate move.
- No written estimate, or a refusal to put services in writing.
- A large cash deposit before loading.
- No physical business address.
- A quote that is far below every other written estimate.
- Pressure to sign a blank or incomplete inventory.
Turns out, the cheapest quote is often the one that adds fees at the truck.
Before booking, collect three written estimates. Check each mover's authority. Get the liability choice in writing. Keep the estimate, inventory, bill of lading, and payment receipts in one folder. If the final bill looks wrong, don't argue from memory. Use the documents.