Once upon a time, moving companies stacked everything in a horse-drawn wagon and headed wherever their client paid them to go. There were beds, chairs, chests and cabinets, just like today. But there were also items that no modern moving company is permitted to carry anymore, like chemical cleaning detergents, bottles of paraffin oil and poisons.

Why? Well, health and safety basically, and the lengthy list of regulations designed to prevent the type of occupational hazards that movers once faced daily. Of course, these regulations also help to protect possessions from needless damage, but times have certainly changed. There is a clear lit of substances legally banned from being transported.

Commonly known as non-allowable items, the list is pretty extensive. I’ve been working with Viktoria Professional Movers for a while now, and yet I find myself having to re-check the list just to be sure. Our moving teams are well versed in what these non-allowable items are, and don’t hesitate to notify clients, but our clients are often shocked at some of the things they are told not to pack.

So, I thought I’d fill you in on some of the non-allowable items, and why they are blacklisted.

Hazardous Substances

Most of the substances and materials in this category are no-brainers. Who wants to drive a truck knowing that an explosive substance, like dynamite, is in the back, or a highly flammable liquid, like gasoline, is sloshing about in a container as you drive over humps and bumps on your way to your new home.

Why the concern? Well, the risk relates to the chemicals used in the formula of a liquid or substance or the ingredients in the manufacture of the items, how they might react to heat, sudden movement and even interaction with each other.

There can be no prizes for guess those types of hazardous items, but there are also some pretty surprising items too, ones that surely are of no threat to anyone.  I’ve broken this category own to three types: the obvious; the logical; and the surprising.

Obvious

These are substances that everyone understands should not be transported in a moving van because they are explosive, flammable or corrosive. Here is a brief rundown of just some of them:

• Acids
• Poisons
• Fireworks
• Loaded guns
• Ammunition
• Kerosene
• Propane tanks
• Gasoline

Logical

These are substances and items that you might not think of at first, but it makes sense to exclude them if you are to err on the side of caution. These include items like:

• Aerosols
• Paints
• Car batteries
• Cleaning solvents
• Motor oil
• Weed killer
• Fertilizer

Surprising

These are head scratchers, but believe it or not are considered safer off the moving truck than on it. Like the other groups, the risk relates to several factors, and it’s probably better to be safe than sorry. The list includes:

• Paint thinner
• Nail polish remover
• Nail polish
• Kids Chemistry sets
• Charcoal
• Household batteries
• Matches

Perishable Items

It’s always tempting to put a few items from your larder into a box and have the movers take it to your new home. But movers are not permitted to bring perishable goods, like fresh vegetables and frozen foods, nor are they permitted to carry living plants.

The reason has to do with hygiene, with spoilt foods attracting pests, like flies. Foods might also drip, staining or damaging other items onboard. With that in mind, canned foods and dry foods are usually alright.

With short-distance residential moving services (within 24 hours), the company might be willing to agree, but only if the items are properly packed and secured. So, it may be worth having a conversation, but unless you are talking about a few weeks’ worth of supplies, it better to just feast the night before your move and then visit a grocery store in your new neighborhood.

Perishable items include those listed below.

• Frozen food
• Refrigerated food
• Produce
• Opened food products
• Plants, including indoor

Personal Items

This group of non-allowed items basically comprise of personal property with a special value. The problem for moving companies is that the insurance risks are too high to take responsibility for them. For example, you put the spare key to your car in a small box and load it onto the moving truck. That night your car is stolen, and the spare key is missing. It’s the start of an insurance nightmare for both parties. Best if important documents and items stay in the hands of the client for them to keep safe.

Admittedly, the description I’ve given of is a little vague but the items can be broken down to two types: property relating to identity; property of real value.

• ID – This category comprises documents that are targets in identity theft. Perfect examples are financial documents, property deeds, tax records, stocks or bonds, and even medical or dental records.

• Value – This can include precious stones and metals, like expensive jewelry, and valuable practical items, like iPads, Smartphones, laptops, and (of course) car keys.

Know More

There are many more non-allowable items that the ones I’ve mentioned here, so For more on the subject, it’s a good idea to check out some other sources. I recommend checking out:

• Moving Non Allowable Items – Be Careful What You Pack on Moving.com
• Canada’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, which includes reference to moving hazardous substances