United’s Restricted Items

It’s time to start packing for your long distance move, but before you start wrapping and boxing your belongings, make sure you understand what items are allowed or restricted.

Moving companies – like United – that are experts in ensuring a professional move experience for its clients, can provide you with an important checklist of items they will not move.

Many of these restricted items are likely to be found in your garage or with your household cleaning supplies. Other items could be around your house in bathrooms and storage rooms. Items such as gasoline and ammunition may seem obvious, but others are not so apparent, such as wax candles and indoor plants.

Many people are surprised to find out that a smart move experience should begin before the packing phase — and oftentimes, that’s with you — the customer. That’s why we’ve put together this summary list of United’s restricted items to ensure your packing process is efficient and hassle-free.

United suggests you view our complete Non-allowable List prior to packing so that you can separate these prohibited items from the rest of your belongings. If you have questions about a particular item, please reach out to your United move coordinator for clarification.

Safe Moving Guidelines

Prohibited Items

United will not transport hazardous items, including explosives, flammable gases and toxic substances, or other items on United’s Non-allowable List. Keep in mind that these hazardous items must be disposed of properly to comply with federal, state and local laws and to protect the environment. Contact your city or county for where to dispose of these items.

The following items cannot be included in your shipment(*).

• Batteries,  alkaline  &  lead-acid  (automobile)
• Household cleaning products
• Corrosive chemicals or poisons
• Lawn and garden chemicals
• Flammables and explosives
• Live animals or plants
• Gas and oil products
• Compressed gas cylinders
• Wax candles
• Illegal items or substances
• Ammunition including gunpowder
• Other items may be prohibited at United’s discretion.

Moving Tip: You may find you no longer need these materials or consider replacing these items once you’ve moved into your new house.

(*) See United’s tariff for additional information

Restricted Items

These following items may be included in your shipment after thorough preparation and prior written notice to your move coordinator. Please be aware that you include these items at your own risk. Claims for loss or damage resulting from shipping these items, even if prepared properly, may be denied.

• Batteries powering personal mobility devices
• Cordless power tools
• Scuba tanks
• Firearms (unloaded)
• Clean gasoline cans & other fuel storage
• Alcoholic  beverages

Moving Tip: Research the average high and low temperatures during the season your possessions will be transported. You may wish to exclude any items that could be adversely affected by humidity, heat or cold.

Not Recommended

We recommend transporting sentimental, personal items yourself or discussing options with your agent.

Examples of sentimental items include:

• Wedding and other photo albums
• Jewelry and precious metals
• Heirlooms
• Children’s artwork

Important personal items and documents that you may need right away and want to bring yourself include:

• Passports and official IDs
• Medications including prescriptions
• House and car keys
• Mobile phones
• Title documents
• Professional files
• Checkbooks, credit cards, and financial records
• Insurance policies
• School records
• Eyeglasses or contacts
• Personal records
• Small electronics and chargers
• Bed linens and towels
• Toothbrushes, shampoo and toilet paper
• Household cleaning products
• Paper towels and trash bags
• Small hand tools

Moving Tip: To save yourself the trouble of digging through boxes to find items you will want immediately, we recommend putting together a few boxes of essentials that should travel with you. Click here to learn more about the First Night Box.

Printable Non-Allowable Checklist

Would you like to print this checklist? Click here! If you have any questions about the suitability of an individual household item, feel free to ask your move coordinator.