Moving is a major life change that most of us will face at some point in our lives. Whether you plan your move yourself or hire a professional mover, there are many terms that may be new to you throughout the move process. To help you better understand moving and the lingo, check out this quick list of moving terms frequently used in the moving industry.
Agent: An affiliated moving company authorized to act on behalf of the van line. The agent may handle the booking, origin, hauling, or destination services. Fry-Wagner Moving & Storage is an agent for United Van Lines located in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield, Missouri.
Bill of Lading: Customer’s receipt for goods and contract for transportation. The customer’s signature acknowledges that the household goods can be loaded on the van and released to the carrier.
Booking Agent: The agent that accepts the order for the customer’s move and registers it with the van line. The booking agent may or may not be the origin or destination agent.
Carrier: The moving company providing the interstate transportation of household goods under whose Department of Transportation registration the shipment is moved.
Claim: Statement of loss, damage, or delay to household good shipment while in the care, custody, or control of the carrier.
Delivery Spread: The window of time in which your items will be delivered to the destination.
Destination Agent: The agent designated in the destination area to be available to assist or provide information regarding the shipment to the customer or the van operator.
High-Value Inventory Form: The carrier will have the customer fill out a High-Value Inventory Form to list items included in a shipment that are valued at more than $100 per pound to ensure they are protected accordingly.
Inventory: A detailed descriptive list of the items in the shipment and their condition before the van is loaded.
Non-Allowable: Items that are prohibited to be transported.
Origin Agent: The agent designated in the origin area to be available for preliminary readying of the shipment before movement or to provide information regarding the customer’s move.
Overflow: When articles to be shipped are left behind due to insufficient space on the primary van. An additional van(s) is then utilized for transportation and delivery.
PBO (packed by owner): When articles are packed by the customer for moving.
Shuttle Service: The use of a secondary, smaller vehicle to complete the pickup or delivery. Used if the assigned over-the-road van is unable to make a normal pickup or delivery because of physical constraints (narrow road, inadequate parking, etc.)
SIT (Storage in Transit): The temporary storage of your household goods in the warehouse of the carrier’s agent, pending further transportation on a later date. SIT services may not exceed 180 calendar days.
Survey: Performed by an agent to examine the customer’s belongings in order to develop an estimate of move charges.
Third-Party Services: Performed by someone other than the carrier or its agents at your request or required by federal, state, or local law (e.g., appliance servicing, crating).
Van Operator: Oversees the loading, hauling, and unloading of your possessions.
Moving is a hectic and confusing time for many, but knowing the lingo of the industry will give you the knowledge to better understand everything involved in the move process. If you still have questions about your move or are in need of an estimate, reach out to one of our experts today. Learn more about all the terms associated with moving.
