Accessorial (or Additional) Services. Services such as packing, unpacking or shuttle service that you request to be performed (or are necessary because of landlord requirements or other special circumstances). Charges for these services are in addition to the transportation charges.
Advanced Charges. Charges for services not performed by the mover but by a professional craftsman or other third party at your request. The charges for these services are paid for by the mover and added to your “Bill of Lading” charges.
Agent. A local moving company authorized to act on behalf of a larger, national company.
Appliance Service by Third Party. The preparation of major electrical appliances to make them safe for shipment. Charges for these services may be in addition to the
Bill of Lading. The receipt for your goods and the contract for their transportation. It is your responsibility to understand the “bill of lading” before you sign it. If you do not agree with something on the “bill of lading”, do not sign it until you are satisfied that it is correct. The bill of lading is an important document. Don’t lose or misplace your copy!
Broker. A company that arranges for the truck transportation of cargo belonging to others, utilizing for-hire carriers to provide the actual truck transportation. A broker does not assume responsibility for the cargo and usually does not take possession of the cargo.
Binding/Non-Binding/Not-to-Exceed Estimate. A “Binding Estimate” is an agreement made in advance with the mover that guarantees the total cost of the move based on quantities and services shown on the Estimate. A “Non-binding Estimate” is the carrier’s approximation of the cost based on the estimated weight of the shipment and the accessorial services requested. A “Non-Binding Estimate” is not binding on the carrier and the final charges will be based on the actual weight and tariff provisions in effect. A “Not-to-Exceed Estimate” is performed in your home and provides you with the highest possible cost for the move. The “Not-to-Exceed Estimate” can be adjusted to a lower cost, once the actual services have been performed.
Carrier. The mover transporting your household goods.
Cash on Delivery (COD). Payment is required at the time of delivery at the destination residence (or warehouse).
Commercial Shipper. Any person who is named as the consignor or consignee in a bill of lading contract who is not the owner of the goods being transported, but who assumes the responsibility for payment of the transportation and other tariff charges for the account of the beneficial owner of the goods. The beneficial owner of the goods is normally an employee of the consignor and/or consignee. A freight forwarder tendering a shipment to a carrier in furtherance of freight forwarder operations is also a commercial shipper. The Federal government is a government bill of lading shipper, not a commercial shipper.
Expedited Service. An agreement made in advance with your mover, which guarantees the total cost of the move based upon the quantities and services shown on the estimate.
For-Hire Carrier. A trucking company that is paid to transport cargo belonging to others.
Force Majeure. A defense protecting the parties in the event that a part of the contract cannot be performed due to causes which are outside the control of the parties and cold not be avoided by exercise of due care.
Guaranteed Pick-up and Delivery Service. An additional level of service whereby dates of service are guaranteed, with the mover providing reimbursement for delays. This premium service is often subject to minimum weight requirements.
Freight Forwarder. A company that arranges for truck transportation of cargo belonging to others, utilizing for-hire carriers to provide the actual truck transportation. A freight forwarder assumes responsibility for the cargo from origin to destination and usually takes possession of the cargo at some point during the transportation. Freight forwarders typically assemble and consolidate less-than-truckload shipments into truckload shipments at origin, and disassemble and deliver shipments at destination.
Full Value. Under this option, the mover is liable for the replacement value of lost or damaged goods (as long as it doesn’t exceed the total declared value of the shipment). If you elect to purchase full value protection (FVP), and your mover loses, damages or destroys your articles, your mover must repair, replace with like item(s), or settle in cash at the current market replacement value, regardless of the age of the lost or damaged item. The minimum declared value of a shipment under this option is $10,000 or $4.00 times the actual total weight (in pounds) of the shipment, whichever is greater.
Your mover may offer you FVP with a $250, $500 or $1,000 deductible or, with no deductible at all. The amount of the deductible will affect the cost of your FVP coverage. The $4.00 per pound minimum valuation rate may be increased annually by your mover based on changes in the household furnishings element of the Consumer Price Index established by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unless you specifically agree to other arrangements, the mover must assume liability for the entire shipment based upon this option.
Government Bill of Lading Shipper. Any person whose property is transported under the terms and conditions of a government bill of lading issued by any department or agency of the Federal Government to the carrier responsible for the transportation of the shipment.
High Value Article. Items included in a shipment that are valued at more than $100 per pound. These items should be disclosed to the mover to ensure that they are protected accordingly.
Household Goods (when used in connection with transportation). The personal effects or property used or to be used, in a dwelling, when part of the equipment or supplies of the dwelling. Transportation of the household goods must be arranged and paid for by the individual shipper or by another individual on behalf of the shipper. Household goods includes property moving from a factory or store if purchased with the intent to use in a dwelling and transported at the request of the householder, who also pays the transportation charges.
Individual Shipper. Any person who is the consignor or consignee of a household goods shipment identified as such in the bill of lading contract. The individual shipper owns the goods being transported and pays the transportation charges.
The transportation of goods in the United States from a place in one state or a place in a different state (including a place outside the US); or between two places in one state through another state or place outside of the US.
Inventory. The detailed descriptive list of your household goods showing the number and condition of each item.
Interstate Move. Between a place in one state and a place outside of that state. Begins and ends in the same state, but the shipment travels through another state.
Intrastate Move. The transportation of goods within one state that never crosses state lines or includes a segment outside of that same state. NOTE: Intrastate moves are not regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Please consult State and Local Resources for assistance with intrastate moves.
Line Haul Charges. The charges for the vehicle transportation portion of your move. These charges, if separately stated, apply in addition to the accessorial service charges.
Long Carry. Charge for carrying articles excessive distances between the mover’s vehicle and your residence. Charges for these services may be in addition to the line haul charges.
Order for Service. The document authorizing the mover to transport your household goods.
Pickup and Delivery Charges. Separate transportation charges applicable for transporting your shipment between the warehouse and your residence.
Released Value (Basic Value). This is the most economical protection option available. This no-additional-cost option provides minimal protection. Under this option, the mover assumes liability for no more than $0.60 per pound per article. Loss or damage claims are settled based upon the pound weight of the article multiplied by $0.60 per pound.
For example, if your mover lost or destroyed a 10-pound stereo component valued at $1,000, your mover would be liable for no more than $6.00. Obviously, you should think carefully before agreeing to such an arrangement. There is no extra charge for this minimal protection, but you must sign a specific statement on the bill of lading agreeing to it. Alternatively, see “Full Value” protection.
Shuttle Service. Use of a smaller vehicle to provide service to residences that are not accessible to the mover’s normal line haul equipment (large moving vans).
Storage-In-Transit (SIT). Temporary warehouse storage of your shipment pending further transportation; for example, if your new home isn’t quite ready to occupy. Added charges for SIT service and final delivery charges from the warehouse will apply.
Transportation Charges. Charges for the vehicle transportation portion of your move. These charges apply in addition to the additional service charges.
