FMCSA updates transportation of household goods regulations

Entrusting your items to a professional moving company is the best solution. After all, only true professionals with enough knowledge, skills, and experience will ensure your belongings arrive safely at your new destination. But are you entirely sure you give your trust to the right company? We have the solution. Check the FMCSA updates transportation of household goods regulations. Get familiar with all the rules and regulations and know in advance what to expect from your company. Moreover, it’s good to know what your rights are and what your movers must respect. Hence, you’ll be prepared for the relocation and it can be executed without complications.

What is the goal of FMCSA updates transportation of household goods regulations?

First of all, you are to be well-informed about the mission and goals of FMCSA. Relying on them and their regulations is very helpful in case you plan to relocate. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration was established in 2000 within the Department of Transportation (DOT) and ever since it has been of enormous help in applying safety regulations. Moreover, you have the opportunity to see which movers don’t fulfill your requirements. That is why you will be able to be calm knowing you can rely on your best cross country movers San Francisco. Hence, make sure to frequently check the regulations and rules issued by FMCSA.

However, regulations tend to change. Therefore, certain FMCSA updates dealing with the relocation of household items have been established and they are effective as of October 31, 2022. Generally speaking, these updates influence the paperwork and processes that are positive for both moving companies and customers. As a result, this will rationalize document requirements, increase efficiency in all stages of the move, and will show great support in fighting against fraudulent movers.

What are the FMCSA updates transportation of household goods regulations?

What matters is that all the changes and updates are established with the goal to increase the safety of the clients. Of course, even the movers will feel the benefits of the changes. Now is the time to get yourself introduced to the changes in regulations.

• the requirement of physical surveys for all shipments
• the need for new estimates in case changes happen prior to the loading
• early information about consumer protection
• no need for an Order for Service document
• changes concerning the Bill of Lading
• no signature on blank documents
• the need to use an invoice to collect charges
• the necessity for FMCSA’s Ready to Move? pamphlet

Professional movers must do a physical survey

According to the updates, the best interstate movers Tampa is obligated to conduct a survey to make an accurate cost estimate for the clients. What does it imply? Well, a representative of a moving company should come to your home and check the household items you plan to transport to your new home. What matters is to check the type of items and quantity. Thus, the representatives may see if there are valuables, fragile things, bulky items, or some other particular things to pay attention to. With this in mind, the movers will come prepared when the moving day comes. This change is quite important since physical surveys were not required before when handling shipments beyond 50 miles away from the location of the moving company.

Furthermore, one more thing that has changed is that now your movers can conduct a virtual survey. It can be live or pre-recorded in a suitable video format. Thus, your movers may see your home and household item and make an estimate.

In case the shipper refuses a survey in writing form or a moving company signs a weaver before the items are loaded onto a truck there’s no need for conducting a physical survey. Also, it may happen that the weaver is retained as a supplement to the Bill of Lading and no survey is necessary in this case as well.

Have you decided to make changes regarding your shipment?

Of course, we all forget something when moving to a new destination. So many things on your mind. Thus, it’s no surprise you forget something and remember it later on when the moving day approaches. For instance, you decide to add some items or require additional services from a company.  Before the changes in transportation of household goods regulation by FMCSA, the movers had to prepare a revised estimate. New regulations imply your best interstate movers Detroit must make a new estimate in these situations. Still, remember that they can make new estimates only before the loading of the truck. Otherwise, they’ve lost the right to do that, no matter what changes to the shipment have happened.

What type of estimates you can count on?

Well, there are two types of estimates, binding, and non-binding ones. It all depends on what is most suitable to your needs and possibilities. A binding estimate is one that guarantees you won’t pay an additional amount of money. Nevertheless, if some changes do occur during the relocation you and your best cross country movers Minnesota may agree to convert it into a non-binding one, accept the original estimate, or create a new estimate.

On the other hand, by accepting a non-binding estimate you agree that the final costs may change due to certain circumstances. Still, it should be reasonably accurate.

Moreover, we advise you not to sign an incomplete or blank estimate. Fraudulent movers may change the terms without your knowledge. Hence, be careful which movers will become your allies.

You’ll get information about consumer protection on time

According to the newly updated regulations concerning the transportation of household goods by FMCSA, movers and household brokers must provide their clients with both the FMCSA’s Ready to Move pamphlet and the Rights & Responsibilities When You Move booklet after providing a written estimate to the shippers of your belongings.

Furthermore, cross country movers New York City have to make certain estimates that need to be completely accurate. Thus, observe the following ones your moving company needs to provide before the execution of the Bill of Lading.

• charges and fees
• details about the applicable sections of their tariff
• information about their arbitration program
• consumer complaint
• inquiry process

Movers don’t need to provide an Order for Service document

Up to the moment the updates took place, interstate movers in Portland had to provide Order for Service documents for their customers. Thus, clients had to possess a copy of this document. However, things have changed. Nowadays movers have to provide a Bill of Lading instead Order for Service.

Bill of Lading has changed due to the new regulations

Bill of Lading has become an important document during the relocation process. The carrier issues a Bill of Lading and it consists of all the important information that is related to the move. The upgraded transportation of your belongings regulations established by FMCSA imposes the need for additional information.

• physical address
• phone number
• DOT number of all the movers related to the transportation of your belongings

Also, an additional change is that the movers must issue this document at least 3 days before loading of the truck. The movers must also sign and date the bill of Lading 3 days before loading the shipment as well. With this in mind, when moving from Minot you can rely on your best moving companies New Hampshire and you’ll get the Bill of Lading 3 days or 72 hours prior to your move.

What if clients decide to change their minds and reject the Bill of Lading? In this case, they can do this without penalty for a 3-day period after the people who are moving have signed this document.

What does a Bill of lading contain?

We are to inform you of the most important parts each Bill of Lading should consist of.

• your mover’s name and address
• the names and addresses of other movers participating in the process
• the name, address, and phone number of the office to contact your movers if necessary
• the form of payment at delivery
• the agreed dates for pickup and delivery of the shipment for bor both guaranteed and non-guaranteed service
• the real date of pickup
• the identification number of the vehicles
• the terms and conditions for payment 
• the maximum amount your movers will demand from you at delivery of your belongings
• evidence of any type of insurance coverage from an independent insurer
• any kind of attachment to the Bill of lading
• two options for liability where you are expected to opt for the one (Full Value protection or Waiver of Full Value protection)

Don’t allow fraudulent movers to trick you by learning about FMCSA updates transportation of household goods regulations

This change in regulations set up by the FMCSA is specifically designed to protect clients from all types of fraud. While in the past there were situations when clients had to sign a blank document this is no longer something that may happen. It’s absolutely forbidden to sign a blank Bill of Lading or any other document related to the move. 

Nevertheless, as in many other cases, there is an exception to this rule as well. You can sign incomplete documents only prior to shipping. Still, these documents must have all the expenses except those that depend on the weight of the shipment. Therefore, you are totally protected in these situations. When moving from Florida be certain your best cross country movers Miami won’t request you to sign a blank document. After all, you are dealing with honest and reliable movers. hence, we all owe a big gratitude to FMCSA for this matter and many others too.

Movers must use an invoice in order to collect their charges

Prior to the changes in regulations related to the transportation of household items established by FMCSA, some companies used a freight bill since it wasn’t obligatory. However, now it is a required document. After the delivery of the items best movers Chicago will collect the charges by issuing an invoice that must contain all the relevant information. In addition, if the shipment wasn’t transported on a binding estimate the invoice must include certain relevant information.

• identification of each service provided
• the rate or charge per service
• total charges for each service

Display the FMCSA’s Ready to Move? pamphlet

First of all, FMCSA adopted the updates to the Rights & Responsibilities When You Move booklet in 2013. As a result, movers can distribute hard copies or electronic copies of the booklet. Also, your best cross country movers Ohio may provide a link to the accurate version of this booklet on their websites. Due to the changes, all movers are in obligation to display the link to this pamphlet. Why is this link so important? Well, this link may lead you to the FMCSA site or to an accurate copy of the pamphlet on the mover’s and brokers’ websites.

Move safely with trusted allies by learning about FMCSA updates transportation of household goods regulations

All in all, there are a number of movers in the market. How to find the most suitable one? Believe us, this isn’t easy. Thus, don’t let someone trick you. You are to know your own rights and responsibilities and the responsibilities of your companies. After all, the safety of your shipment is a priority. Thus, make sure to visit the FMCSA website and check your company. Get familiar with new rules and regulations. Hopefully, the FMCSA updates transportation of household goods regulations will be helpful in knowing what to expect from a relocation. This will facilitate the process of recognizing fraudulent movers and safely evading them. Cooperate with only the most reliable moving companies and enjoy your relocation.