Moving Glossary

Whenever you make a major life decision, you want to make sure that every choice made along the way is the best for yourself and your family. To ensure your transition goes smoothly and stays stress-free, you want to make sure that you read and agree to all the terms and conditions offered by all service providers who will help you in the process. Relocating to a new home is no exception.

When you choose A. Arnold as your carrier, we take empowering you a step further. We want you to understand every detail of the fine print. That’s why we’ve compiled this easily referenced glossary of relocation service terms, just in case you would like more clarity on any of our products or moving services. Knowing exactly what we offer, exactly what to expect, and exactly how long you can relax until your belongings arrive will take the chaos and uncertainty out of your move.

Accessorial (Additional) Services – Services such as shuttle service, extra labor and waiting time that you request to be performed (or are necessary because of landlord requirements or other special circumstances). Charges for these services are in addition to the transportation charges and packing charges.
Origin and Destination Service Charge – An Origin and Destination charge is a fee to reflect the varying cost of providing services in different geographic areas of the country. This service is charged once at origin and once at destination based on the total weight of the shipment. It reflects local labor cost, traffic congestion and time to travel to an area.
Advanced Charges – Charges for services not performed by the mover but instead by a professional, craftsman or other third party at your request. The charges for these services are paid for by the mover and added to your bill or are collected by the service provider directly from the shipper. Examples of these services are crating special pieces and servicing appliances, pool tables and waterbeds.
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—a shuttle charge is applied.
Examples of such physical constraints include situations such as a road or driveway that is inaccessible, a bridge that cannot support the weight of the van, or the inability to park the moving van within a reasonable distance of the residence. Charges apply based on the weight of the shipment, or portion thereof, which is loaded or unloaded, subject to a minimum weight of 1,000 pounds.
Bill of Lading – The receipt for your goods and the contract for their transportation. 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.
Bulky Article – Items such as cars, boats, snowmobiles and campers usually constitute 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.
Carrier – The moving company providing transportation for your household goods and on whose interstate or intrastate operating authority the shipment is moved.
Carrier’s Liability for Loss or Damage – This is the liability the Carrier assumes for your possessions. This amount can vary from $0.30 per pound per article (on moves within a state), $0.60 per pound per article for Interstate moves, up to Full Replacement Value with no deductible. There are several liability options available to you; be sure to ask the Carrier’s Representative to explain each option, its cost and its limitations.
Claim – Shipper’s statement of loss or damage to their household goods caused by the carrier. Such statements are normally made on a "Claim Form."
C.O.D. (Cash on Delivery) – Shipments where the customer pays moving charges at the time of delivery, before unloading. Most carriers require that COD payments be made by cash, money order, cashier’s check or credit card. Personal checks are not normally accepted for such charges.
Commercial Service – Anything not related to household goods, i.e. office moving, commercial storage, logistics accounts.
Estimate – An estimated cost for moving your household goods. It is determined by a visual inspection and assessment of the van space requirements, weight of your household goods, mileage from origin to destination and other services to be performed.
Control and Exclusive Use of Vehicle – In order to meet specific load and delivery dates, a customer may request Expedited Service, a Space Reservation or Exclusive Use of a moving van. The charges will be based on the space reserved, not on the actual weight of the shipment.
Fuel Surcharge – A mechanism for distributing additional revenue to van operators and haulers who are responsible for purchasing fuel. This surcharge is determined on the first Monday of each month and is based on the "National U.S. Average" price per gallon of diesel fuel as stated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) survey of "Retail On-Highway Diesel Prices." The Fuel Surcharge rate in effect on the date the shipment is loaded will apply.
Guaranteed Pickup and Delivery Service – An additional level of service whereby dates of service are guaranteed, with the mover providing reimbursement for delays. This premium service is often subject to minimum weight requirements and smaller discounts.
High Value Article – Items included in a shipment that are valued at more than $100 per pound. These items must be disclosed to the mover on a High Value Inventory form to ensure that they are protected accordingly. Failure to do so may limit the amount of recovery in the event of loss or damage.
Inventory – The detailed descriptive list of your household goods showing the number and condition of each item.
Linehaul – The tariff transportation charge to move your shipment from point of origin to its final point of destination.
National Accounts – Corporate clients, typically under contract.
O&I – Office and Industrial moves.
Operating Authority – Certification issued by a state or federal government entity authorizing a carrier to move household goods between designated geographical areas.
Order for Service – The document authorizing the mover to transport your household goods.
Overflow – Articles, left behind due to insufficient space on a van, to be loaded on a second van for transportation and delivery.
PBO – Articles packed into cartons or crates by the owner, not the carrier.
Pickup and Delivery Charges – Separate transportation charges applicable for transporting your shipment between the warehouse and your residence.
Reweigh – Second weighing of shipment performed at destination at the shipper’s or carrier’s request.
Road Van – A long haul tractor-trailer that moves shipments long distances (usually over 450 miles).
Shipper – The person (customer) whose goods are being moved.
Short Haul – A move that takes place under 450 miles.
Spread Dates – Number of consecutive dates needed to plan the packing, loading and delivery of a move.
Storage-In-Transit (SIT) – Temporary warehouse storage of your shipment pending further transportation; for example, if your new home isn't quite ready to be occupied. Added charges for SIT service and final delivery charges from the warehouse will apply.
Straight Truck – A single cab and body vehicle, generally one half the size and capacity of a tractor-trailer.
Survey – A visual examination of the shipper’s goods to develop an estimated moving cost.
Tariff – The carrier’s provisions, including rates, for services performed during the course of a move.
Third Party Services – Services performed by someone other than the carrier at the shipper’s request or as required by federal, state or local laws.
For example, having a pool table dismantled by a company other than the carrier is a 3^rd party service.
Transportation Charges – Charges for the vehicle transportation portion of your move. These charges apply in addition to the packing and additional service charges.
Unpacking – Removing shipper’s household goods from boxes, containers or crates and placing them on a flat surface. (Does not include placement in cabinets, closets, etc.)
Valuation – The released value of the shipment by the customer. The valuation charge that you are assessed compensates the mover for assuming a greater degree of liability than that provided for in the base transportation charges.
Van – Movers refer to all types of trucks used for moving as "vans." A van can be as small as an Econoline pack van or as large as an 80-foot-long tractor-trailer.