(800) 611-6001

Moving Term Glossary

Accessorial Services (TOP OF PAGE)

Services other than Line haul transportation that are performed by an agent or the van operator. For example: packing, unpacking, an extra pickup, a long carry, an elevator carry, etc.). Accessorial services are charged in addition to Line haul transportation charge.

Additional Transportation Charge (ATC) (TOP OF PAGE)

This regionally adjusted charge compensates the carrier for services performed in areas where the labor rates are higher than the national average. It also compensates the carrier for additional costs incurred due to traffic congestion and added time traveling to a remote area for pickup or delivery.

Advanced Charges (Third Party Service) (TOP OF PAGE)

Charges for services of others engaged by an agent or the carrier at your request. These charges are advanced to your Bill- of- Lading charges. For instance, if you have a pool table dismantled for transport by a billiard service company prior to packing, that is considered a third party service.

Agent (TOP OF PAGE)

An affiliated moving company authorized to act on behalf of a motor carrier (i.e.; Mayflower, North American, Allied, Paul Arpin, etc.). The affiliated moving company (the agent) may serve as the booking agent, the origin agent, the hauling agent and/or the destination agent.

Auxiliary Service (Shuttle) (TOP OF PAGE)

If the assigned over-the-road van is unable to make a normal pickup/delivery because of physical constraints and a second, smaller vehicle is needed, this is considered Auxiliary Service (a shuttle). Examples of such physical constraints include situations such as a road or driveway that is too narrow, a bridge unable to support the weight of the van, or the inability to park the moving van within a reasonable distance of the pickup or the delivery residence. Charges for the second, smaller vehicle are assessed on an hourly basis in addition to charges for the extra labor involved in making the pickup with the shuttle truck.

Bill of Lading (TOP OF PAGE)

This is your contract with the carrier. It is your receipt for your goods and the contract for its transport. Your signature on this document acknowledges that your goods have been loaded on the moving van and "released to the carrier".

Binding Quote (TOP OF PAGE)

A guaranteed price based on the inventory "no more, no less."

Booking Agent ("Writing Agent") (TOP OF PAGE)

The agent who accepts the order for your move and registers it with the van Line. The booking agent may or may not act as your origin or destination agent.

Bulky Article (TOP OF PAGE)

Items such as cars, horse-trailers, sailboats and campers usually carry a bulky article charge to compensate the carrier for the difficulty of loading and unloading such articles, and their unusual bulk or low weight density. In some cases, an additional "weight additive" rate is applicable.

Carrier (TOP OF PAGE)

The company providing transportation for your household goods and on whose interstate or intrastate operating authority the shipment is moved.

Carrier's Liability For Loss Or Damage (TOP OF PAGE)

The liability that the Carrier assumes for your possessions. This amount ranges from a low of $0.30 per pound per article (for moves within a State) or $0.60 per pound per article (for Interstate moves) to "Full Replacement Value" with no deductible. There are several different liability options available to you so be sure to ask the Carrier's Representative to explain each option, its ramifications and its cost. Carrier's Liability For Loss or Damage is often incorrectly referred to as "insurance". It's good to know the difference between Carrier's Liability For Loss or Damage and insurance, so ask your van Line representative to explain the differences.

Claim (TOP OF PAGE)

Shippers statement of loss or damage to any of his/her household goods while they were in the care of the carrier or its agent. Such statements are generally made on a "Claim Form". C.O.D. (Cash On Delivery) Shipments where customer pays moving charges at the time of delivery. For C.O.D. shipments, payment is required in cash, or by travelers check, money order, cashier's check or credit card (pending a prior credit card approval process). Personal checks are not accepted for payment of C.O.D. charges.

Consignee (TOP OF PAGE)

The person to whom the shipment is to be delivered.

Consignor (TOP OF PAGE)

 The person from whom the shipment was picked up from.

CP (Carrier Packed) (TOP OF PAGE)

Articles packed into cartons or crates by the carrier, not the shipper.

CWT (TOP OF PAGE)

This abbreviation stands for the rate or charge per 100 pounds.

Deadhead (TOP OF PAGE)

Empty (unloaded) miles traveled by a driver in order to move his or her truck to pick up a paying load.

Declared Valuation (TOP OF PAGE)

The Shipper's indication of the value declared for the possessions being shipped, thereby establishing the carrier's maximum liability for loss or damage to the shipment. If no value is declared, the liability is then controlled by the tariff under which the shipment is moved.

Destination Agent (TOP OF PAGE)

The agent designated in the destination area to be available to assist or provide information to you or the van operator regarding your shipment.

Distance Carry (TOP OF PAGE)

See "Long Carry".

Elevator Carry (TOP OF PAGE)

A charge to compensate the carrier for the additional labor required to move a shipment by way of an elevator.

Estimate (TOP OF PAGE)

A professional assessment of the van space requirements, weight of household goods and cost of the move determined by the physical/visual inspection of a shipment by a representative of the carrier.

Expedited Service (TOP OF PAGE)

A program which, for an additional charge, allows a specific delivery date to be requested. If the date is not met, only standard charges apply.

Extra Stop (Extra Pickup or Delivery) (TOP OF PAGE)

If a van operator is required to make an extra stop at either origin or destination (other than the main pickup or delivery points), an extra charge is assessed - the charge is determined by the tariff.

Flight Carry (TOP OF PAGE)

See "Stair Carry".

Flight Charge (TOP OF PAGE)

See "Stair Carry".

Full Replacement Value Protection (TOP OF PAGE)

A valuation program which does not incorporate depreciation as a factor in settling claims for loss or damage.

International (TOP OF PAGE)

Any move which crosses a country boundary, regardless of the number of miles.

Interstate (TOP OF PAGE)

Any move which crosses a state boundary, regardless of the number of miles. Distinguished from intrastate.

Intrastate (TOP OF PAGE)

Any move which does not cross a state boundary, typically over 40 miles. Distinguished from interstate.

Inventory (TOP OF PAGE)

The list itemizing the goods (and their condition) that you have released to the carrier.

Leave-over (TOP OF PAGE)

See "Overflow".

Line haul (TOP OF PAGE)

The tariff transportation charge to move your shipment from point of origin to its final point of destination.

Local (TOP OF PAGE)

In the same city.

Long Carry ("Distance Carry") (TOP OF PAGE)

A charge assessed when a shipment must be moved more than 75 feet from the rear of the moving van to the entrance of the residence.

Long Haul (TOP OF PAGE)

A move over 450 miles from point to point. Long hauls are (generally) performed with tractor-trailers.

Lowball (TOP OF PAGE)

An estimate of moving costs that is purposely estimated low in order to secure a sale from the customer.

Non-Binding Quote (TOP OF PAGE)

Based on the weight of the shipment.

Operating Authority (TOP OF PAGE)

Certification issued by a state or federal governmental entity authorizing a carrier to move household goods between designated geographical areas. A van Line's agent may also have its own separate "operating authority" issued by a state or federal governmental entity, to move shipments within a certain geographical area.

Order For Service (TOP OF PAGE)

The document authorizing the carrier to transport your household goods. Order For Service Number: The number used to identify your shipment. It appears in the upper right corner of the Bill of Lading and on the Order for Service.

Origin Agent (TOP OF PAGE)

The agent designated in the origin area to be available for preliminary readying of the shipment before movement (such as packing cartons), or to provide information to you regarding your move.

Overflow ("Leave-over") (TOP OF PAGE)

Articles that are left behind due to insufficient space on a van, to be loaded on a second van for transportation and delivery.

PBO (Packed By Owner) (TOP OF PAGE)

Articles packed into cartons or crates by the shipper, not the carrier.

Re-weigh (TOP OF PAGE)

Second weighing of shipment performed at destination at the shippers or the carrier's request.

Road Van (TOP OF PAGE)

A long haul tractor-trailer that moves shipments long distance (which is generally considered over 450 miles).

Shipper (TOP OF PAGE)

The person (customer) whose goods are being transported.

Short Haul (TOP OF PAGE)

A move that takes place under 450 miles. Short hauls are (generally) performed with straight trucks, although tractor-trailers can, and are, often employed to complete large short haul moves.

Stair Carry (TOP OF PAGE)

An extra charge to compensate the carrier for the additional labor and time required to move a shipment (such as pianos) up or down flights of stairs which lead to or from an origin or destination residence.

Storage In Transit (S.I.T.) (TOP OF PAGE)

Temporary storage of your household goods in the warehouse of the carrier's agent, pending further transportation.

Straight Truck (TOP OF PAGE)

A truck, generally one half the size and capacity of a tractor-trailer. Straight trucks are single cab and body vehicles (as opposed to a tractor-trailer in which the cab can be separated from the trailer).

Survey (TOP OF PAGE)

When the booking or origin agent examines (i.e., surveys, or visually inspects) the shipper's goods to develop an cost estimate.

Tariff (TOP OF PAGE)

The carrier's provisions, including rates, for services performed during the course of moving a shipment.

Third Party Services (TOP OF PAGE)

Services performed by someone other than the carrier at your request or as required by federal, state or local law.

Unpacking (TOP OF PAGE)

The removal of your goods from containers (boxes) and crates and the disposal of such containers and packing materials.

Valuation (TOP OF PAGE)

Shipper's declaration of the value declared for the possessions being shipped, thereby establishing the carrier's maximum liability for loss or damage to the shipment. If no value is declared, the liability is then controlled by the tariff under which the shipment was moved.

Van (TOP OF PAGE)

Movers call all types of trucks used for moving "vans". A van can be as small as an EconoLine pack van or as large as an 80 foot long tractor-trailer rig.

Van Operator (TOP OF PAGE)

The driver of the vehicle carrying your household goods.

Writing Agent ("Booking Agent") (TOP OF PAGE)

The agent who accepts the order for your move and registers it with the van Line. The booking agent may or may not be your origin or destination agent.