A Complete List of Prohibited Items that Movers Won’t Move: How To Handle Those Items

Common prohibited items include:

Gasoline, kerosene, and lighter fluid

Propane tanks and aerosol cans

Paint, paint thinner, and solvents

Ammunition and fireworks

Bleach, ammonia, and liquid cleaners

Pesticides and lawn chemicals

Car batteries and anti-freeze

Matches and lighters

Scuba tanks and welding gases 

These restrictions exist for safety, not convenience. A single leaking container in an enclosed truck can endanger the entire shipment and crew.

The truck also heats up during transit. Gas fumes in a hot, enclosed space are a serious fire hazard . Federal law prohibits commercial carriers from transporting these items, regardless of how small the quantity .

What to do instead: Use up what you can before move day, donate unused items, or dispose of them through your local household hazardous waste program. Most Georgia counties offer designated drop-off days

Firearms are a gray area. Some movers will transport unloaded, locked firearms with written disclosure. Others refuse entirely, especially for interstate moves. Rules vary by company and by state law at both origin and destination .

Our recommendation: Transport firearms and ammunition yourself in compliance with federal and state laws. If that’s not possible, a federally licensed firearms dealer can ship them to your new location .

Never pack a loaded firearm or loose ammunition in a moving box without disclosing it first. Discovery during loading can halt the entire move .

Why plants are restricted:

State laws often prohibit moving plants across state lines to prevent pest and disease spread

Soil can harbor insects, larvae, and eggs that could infest the truck and your belongings

The truck’s temperature, humidity, and lack of light will likely kill the plants during transit 

For local moves: Some movers will take plants if they’re carefully packed. Ask your specific mover.

What to do instead: Transport plants yourself in your vehicle with the AC running. For long-distance moves, consider gifting them to friends, family, or local nursing homes and schools .

Florida and Tennessee have particularly strict agricultural restrictions on incoming plants. Check state rules before moving there .

Why pets can’t ride in the truck:

The cargo area can become dangerously hot with no airflow

Heavy items can shift and fall during transit

The experience would be terrifying and potentially fatal for your pet 

What to do instead: Drive your pets yourself. For long-distance moves, book pet-friendly hotels along the route. If you absolutely cannot transport your pet yourself, hire a USDA-certified pet transport service .

Don’t forget: For airline travel, your pet may need a certificate of health from your vet. Schedule this well in advance.

Why perishables are prohibited:

The truck environment won’t keep food fresh

Spoiled food causes odors and can attract insects that infest your other belongings

Melted or leaking food can damage furniture and boxes 

Plan ahead:

Eat through your refrigerator and freezer in the weeks before your move

Give unopened perishables to friends and neighbors

Donate unopened non-perishables to a local food bank

Pack a cooler for anything you want to keep during the drive 

Sealed, non-perishable dry goods (canned food, spices, sealed boxes) are usually fine for local moves. Ask your mover to confirm .

Items you should always keep with you:

Cash, coins, and bonds

Jewelry and precious stones

Passports, birth certificates, Social Security cards

Wills, deeds, vehicle titles

Medications and medical equipment

Family photos and heirlooms 

Why: Even with full-value protection, proving the existence and value of cash or jewelry packed in a random box is extremely difficult. If something is irreplaceable or tied to your identity, keep it in your personal vehicle .

Pro tip: Consider a portable lockbox (around $30) to keep your valuables organized and secure during the move .

The full list of prohibited cleaning items includes:

Liquid bleach

Ammonia

Disinfectants

Window cleaners

Nail polish and remover

Aerosol sprays (hair spray, air freshener)

Liquid detergents 

Why: These items are corrosive, flammable, or pressurized. They can leak, ignite, or contaminate other belongings during transit .

What to do: Use them up before the move, give them to neighbors, or dispose of them properly. For items you absolutely need immediately, seal caps with tape, place them in a plastic bin, and transport them in your car — never in the moving truck .

Consequences of packing prohibited items:

Loading delays that throw off the entire day’s schedule

Additional fees for time lost

Your mover may refuse to transport the items, leaving you to dispose of them last-minute

In extreme cases, your shipment could be delayed or refused 

The most common culprits: Aerosol cans packed inside bathroom boxes, paint cans left in garage boxes, cleaning chemicals mixed with kitchen items, and propane tanks placed near grills. These are easy to overlook because they live in cabinets that get packed quickly .

Prevention: Do a room-by-room sweep 48 hours before pickup. Open every cabinet, drawer, and storage bin. Pull out anything flammable, pressurized, corrosive, or perishable. Set those items in a separate area so the crew knows they’re not part of the shipment .

Option 1: Dispose properly. Take hazardous materials to your local household hazardous waste facility. Georgia counties typically have designated drop-off days — check your county’s website .

Option 2: Donate. Usable items like sealed cleaning products, non-perishable food, and gently used household goods can go to local charities.

Option 3: Transport yourself. Valuables, documents, medications, firearms, and pets should travel with you in your personal vehicle .

Option 4: Ship separately. For firearms, plants, or other restricted items, use a licensed specialty carrier when personal transport isn’t possible .

For items that need temporary storage: Note that prohibited hazardous materials cannot be stored either. Storage applies only to approved household goods .