Your Moving Rights (Household Goods)
These federal protections apply to interstate moves. For intrastate (within-state) moves, your state adds its own rules — see the state-by-state guide.
Interstate household-goods movers must hold active FMCSA authority and display a valid USDOT number. Verify any mover at safer.fmcsa.gov before paying.
Nonbinding estimate: the mover may collect up to 110% of the estimate at delivery; any balance above that is due within 30 days under a written agreement (49 CFR Part 375.505).
Binding estimate: the total charged cannot exceed the agreed price unless you request additional services in writing.
Binding Not-to-Exceed: you never pay more than the estimate, and if the actual cost is lower you pay the lower amount.
Minimum released-value liability is $0.60 per pound per article. Full-value protection (FVP) is available for an added fee and is recommended for valuable loads.
You have the right to request a reweigh if you dispute the recorded shipment weight.
The mover must provide a written estimate (in-person or virtual) and a Bill of Lading, which is your contract of carriage.
A mover may not hold your household goods hostage to force payment above the lawful limit. Report ransom demands to FMCSA and the OIG.
Confirm any mover's authority at safer.fmcsa.gov (interstate) or the state regulator (intrastate). FMCSA hotline: 1-888-368-7238.
Minimum liability vs full-value protection
Carriers' default "released value" coverage is just $0.60 per pound per article — a 10 lb TV is covered for $6. Full-value protection (FVP) covers repair/replacement and is strongly recommended for valuable loads; it costs extra and may carry a deductible.
Print and carry
Take our State Rights Card and Document Checklist to every estimate walkthrough.
Sources: FMCSA Consumer Protection, 49 CFR Part 375. Not legal advice.