Interstate Moving Regulations 2026 — FMCSA 49 CFR 375 and Your Rights
If your household goods cross a state line with a mover, federal law — not your state's consumer code — sets the floor for what the company must do. The rules live in 49 CFR Part 375, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Household Goods Consumer Protection Regulations. This guide explains the parts that decide whether your move goes smoothly or turns into a dispute, and how to check a mover before you hand over a deposit. Updated September 2026.
Who regulates an interstate move
An interstate move is any shipment of household goods that crosses a state line, or travels between two points in the same state but passes through another state. Once a mover is involved, FMCSA's rules apply to at least that portion of the shipment. FMCSA registers carriers and brokers, enforces 49 CFR Part 375, and runs the Protect Your Move program where you can verify a company's U.S. DOT number and file a complaint. Intrastate (within-one-state) moves are regulated by state agencies instead — but the federal layer is what most long-distance consumers actually encounter.
The written estimate is not optional
Under 49 CFR §375.401, every estimate — even one given over the phone — must be in writing. A verbal "rate quote" is not an estimate and does not bind the mover. There are two kinds:
| Estimate type | What it means | What you pay at delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Non-binding | Based on weight and services; the mover is not bound by the number. | No more than 110% of the estimate at delivery; the rest is billed later (at least 30 days). |
| Binding | Guarantees you will not pay more than the stated amount for the items/services listed. | 100% of the binding estimate at delivery. |
The 110% rule (49 CFR §375.405) is the single most important protection for consumers. If the final bill exceeds 110% of a non-binding estimate, the mover must release your goods once you pay that 110%, and may not demand the balance for at least 30 days. If a mover refuses to relinquish your shipment after you offer the 110% payment (plus any services you added after the bill of lading), that is a failure to transport with "reasonable dispatch" and exposes the mover to cargo-delay claims. Always get the estimate based on an actual or virtual survey of your home, not a phone guess.
The documents you must receive
Federal rules require specific paperwork on every interstate shipment. If a company skips these, treat it as a red flag:
| Document | What the law requires |
|---|---|
| Order for service | Prepared on every shipment; must include 15 elements, including the mover's name, address, and U.S. DOT number, the form of payment honored at delivery, and the maximum you'll be charged to take possession. |
| Bill of lading | The contract of carriage; a copy must travel with the shipment and stay with the driver at all times. |
| Inventory | The mover must list each item with an identification number, so loss and damage claims can be tied to specific pieces. |
| Rights booklet | "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" must be given to you — it summarizes the protections above. |
State registration is a second layer
Federal law sets the floor, but many states add their own licensing or registration for movers that operate within their borders, and some run dedicated household-goods complaint programs (for example, California's Bureau of Household Goods and Services and New York's Department of Transportation 18-A program). For an interstate move, FMCSA preemption generally controls the economic terms, but state consumer-protection agencies can still act on fraud and deceptive practices. Before you sign, check both the federal U.S. DOT registration and any state license the mover claims to hold.
How to vet a mover before you pay
- Verify the U.S. DOT number on FMCSA's SAFER system and Protect Your Move. A missing or mismatched number is the clearest warning sign.
- Distinguish carrier from broker. A broker arranges transport but does not own trucks; both must be registered, and a broker must disclose in writing that actual charges may differ from its estimate (§375.405).
- Read the estimate for the 110% language. If it does not state you won't pay more than 110% at delivery, ask why.
- Watch the deposit. Large upfront deposits are unusual for reputable interstate carriers; many reputable movers request payment at delivery.
- Compare at least three written estimates built from the same inventory, not three phone quotes.
If something goes wrong
Movers must participate in a dispute settlement program (arbitration) for loss and damage claims — this requirement is codified at 49 CFR §375.205. Use it for valuation and damage disputes. For broader problems — a mover operating without valid registration, holding your goods hostage, or deceptive practices — file through FMCSA's Protect Your Move and your state consumer-protection agency. Keep every document: the order for service, bill of lading, inventory, and all written estimates. They are what any complaint or arbitration turns on.
Sources
- FMCSA — Summary of the Household Goods Consumer Protection Regulations (49 CFR Part 375): fmcsa.dot.gov
- eCFR — 49 CFR Part 375, Subpart D (Estimating Charges) and Appendix A (Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move): ecfr.gov
- FMCSA — Protect Your Move (verify a U.S. DOT number and file a complaint): protectyourmove.fmcsa.dot.gov
- FMCSA FAQ — Written Estimates for Interstate Moves (binding vs. non-binding, 110% rule): fmcsa.dot.gov/faq