Moving Blog
March 21, 2021

ABC's of Moving

Learning about MovingBy Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group 

Moving to a new home? If you're planning a move, there's no doubt you've been online to research moving companies and have gone down the rabbit hole of moving terms and jargon that you don’t quite understand. It's a lot easier to do your research and to make good decisions if you understand the vocabulary of the business. So, the first thing to do is to learn some of the lingo of the shipping and transport industry. This glossary of terms helps you familiarize yourself with “mover-speak” so that when you hear terms like accessorial charge and linehaul, you’ll know what they refer to.
 

Accessorial (Additional) Services:

Services such as packing, appliance servicing, unpacking, or piano stair carries that you request to be performed (or that are necessary because of landlord requirements or other special circumstances). Charges for these services may be in addition to the line haul charges.

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.

Bill of Lading:

The receipt for your goods and the contract for their transportation. NOTE: 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. Do not lose or misplace your copy.

Consignee:

The person to whom the shipment is to be delivered.

Destination Agent:

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

Expedited Service:

An agreement with the mover to perform transportation by a set date in exchange for charges based upon a higher minimum weight.

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 could not be avoided by exercise of due care.

Gross Weight:

Weight of the van and its contents after your goods are loaded.

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.

Intrastate Move:

A move in which goods are transported from one point to another within the same state; no state borders are crossed.

Interstate Move:

The transportation of goods from one state to a different state (including outside the United States); OR between two places in one state THROUGH another state or place outside of the United States. See more on the FAQ page.

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.

Order for Service:

The document authorizing the carrier to transport your household goods.

Overflow:

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):

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

Peak Season Rates:

Higher line haul charges applicable during the summer months.

Straight Truck:

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 on which the cab can be separated from the trailer).

Survey:

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

Third Party Services:

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

Unpacking:

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

Van:

Movers call all types and kinds of trucks used for moving "vans."

Warehouse Handling:

A charge may be applicable each time storage-in-transit service is provided. Charges for these services may be in addition to the line haul charges. This charge compensates the mover for the physical placement and removal of items within the warehouse.

Now that you know the lingo, you’ll be talking like a mover in no time! If you are ready to move and need some help from a professional mover, contact A-1 Freeman Moving Group today!

 

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