When planning a move, you will likely be faced with terms you that leave you scratching your head and wishing you had a glossary of moving terms and definitions handy. This article aims to give you that! We completely demystify several of the key moving terms and provide helpful links to additional resources to make the learning curve MUCH easier!
Basic Moving Terms
Agent – An affiliated moving company authorized to act on behalf of a motor carrier. The affiliated moving company (the agent) may serve as the booking agent, the origin agent, the hauling agent and/or the destination agent.
Declared Valuation – 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.
Operating Authority – 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.
Bill of Lading – The is your contract with the carrier. It is your receipt for your goods and the contract for their transportation. Your signature acknowledges that your goods have been loaded on the moving van and “released to the carrier”.
Consignee – The person to whom the shipment is to be delivered.
Consignor – The person from whom the shipment picked up from.
Moving Extras – Discuss with Your Mover
Auxiliary Service (Shuttle) – 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, and 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.
Storage In Transit (S.I.T.) – Temporary storage of your household goods in the warehouse of the carrier or carrier’s agent, pending further transportation.
Permanent storage – The warehousing of a shipment for an unspecified duration. NOTE: Cummings has a full service, state of the art, storage facility right here in the San Fransisco Bay Area!
Bulky Article – Items such as pianos, cars, boats, snowmobiles 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” is applicable.
High value article – Items included in a shipment that are valued at more than $100 per pound. These items should be disclosed with the mover to ensure they are protected accordingly. Also referred to as items of extraordinary value.
Extra delivery – A portion of a shipment unloaded at a location other than the destination address indicated on the Bill of Lading. Also referred to as an extra stop.
Extra pick up – A portion of a shipment loaded at a location other than the origin address indicated on the Bill of Lading. Also referred to as an extra stop.
Weight Related Moving Terms
Gross weight – Weight of the van and its contents after your goods are loaded. Also referred to as the heavy weight.
Net weight – Gross weight minus the tare weight.
Tare Weight – Weight of the van and its contents before your goods are loaded.
CWT – An abbreviation for “per 100 pounds of specified weight.” Per-hundred weight.
Additional Resources to Moving Terms and Definitions
As an Agent for Wheaton World Wide Moving, Cummings Moving Company is happy to share this full glossary of frequently used moving terms for you to use.
For more information about Terms and definitions used in the Moving Industry, check out this helpful page at CMSA – California Moving & Storage Association.
Cummings Moving Company | Residential & Small Business Moving & Storage | San Francisco Movers
Cummings Moving Company is a family owned and operated moving & storage company proud of its well-established reputation in San Francisco and throughout the region – reflected in their extended residential, small business and Realtor referrals. The company is a female, minority, and veteran-owned and operated moving company with over 45 years of exceptional client service – spanning the entire country and beyond. For more information about quality, stress-free moving, in San Francisco please call 415-387-4000 or from the Peninsula call 650-629-3000. Request a Free Moving Quote HERE or continue to explore our website and San Francisco Blog.
The advice on our website and blog is provided as a courtesy and is intended for informational purposes only. It is offered as-is with no warranty expressed or implied. We hope it provides you with helpful information that you can use.
