If there is one thing that can drive anyone crazy that is state regulations. This gets even worse when you have to deal with the rules of multiple states. And while that is not a common issue for all people, you will often face it when moving or transporting items.
Sadly, most of us do not inform ourselves properly. For example, you may not know that you likely owe in-state taxes on certain items bought out of state. Or that certain items are not even allowed to cross a given state’s border. This is exactly what we are talking about today!
That is why we from Corsia Logistics believe you should know a bit about transporting prohibited items and our policies on them.
Why car carriers need personal items policies
You may be a bit surprised to hear that many car shipping companies are very particular about what items can be in your vehicle when shipped. There are several reasons why this is the case.
Firstly, loading personal items in your car increases its weight. This, in turn, leads to a higher shipping cost, which you may not like. Secondly, there are certain items, which simply cannot be transported due to safety concerns. And thirdly, there are forbidden items that can lead the carrier into trouble.
Take for example this news – a car career has recently been caught transporting drugs. One of the cars on the trailer was found with more than a hundred pounds of marijuana. Of course, it is likely that this was done on purpose and was not accidental. However, it is still possible that the carrier driver did not know what he was carrying. This goes to show how important it is for a car shipping company to stick to its policies. But what can you actually leave in your car when shipping it?
What to do with your personal belongings when shipping your vehicle
Technically, there is no law that forbids you from leaving the majority of items in your vehicle. However, auto transport companies usually have their own rules. Some may agree to only take your car if it is completely empty. Others are not as strict, but will probably still not allow a stuffed vehicle.
The best way to approach this is simple – leave your car as empty as possible. Do not forget to check your glove compartment as well. People often leave important documents there, which is not ideal. The carrier may not have a problem with that, but it is in your best interest to take them with you. After all, the company is not responsible for anything missing when shipping personal items in your car.
Nevertheless, it is understandable if you want to leave certain things inside your car. You may have some tools for changing a tire or a set of jump-starting cables. These are usually fine to leave in the car. A single box of other allowed items is also fine. Do not go overboard though! If there are too many items in your vehicle the carrier may refuse to take it. Or…
If you absolutely want to transport items with your car, there is a way to do it. You have to mention that when you contact the car shipping company of your choice. That way they can take into account the additional weight of your vehicle. Car carriers can then more accurately estimate if they can fit your car within their weight limits. But even then there are certain items, which are prohibited due to state regulations or company policy. Let’s see what these are!
What is the policy on transporting prohibited items?
We already saw how transporting drugs can turn out to be a huge problem for the carrier. However, there are many other things that can also be problematic. Because of that car shipping companies have their own specific rules. Some of these are there to comply with federal and state regulations. Others are just a part of the company policy.
In our vehicle transport terms and conditions, we have outlined what items are not allowed inside your car. For example, you can leave certain personal belongings, but we are not responsible for them. Furthermore, they cannot weigh more than 100 lbs collectively, and they are not covered by insurance.
You should also keep in mind that leaving items within your car, even if they are allowed, is still a risk. If they are loose, they may cause damage to the vehicle or get damaged themselves. This is again something that the company does not take responsibility for.
Additionally, we will not take any perishables, alcoholic beverages, drugs, guns and ammunition. Flammable items are forbidden too. You should also take with you all personal items of significant value (such as jewelry, important papers, etc.). Pets and plants are not allowed either, due to the detrimental effects the transport may have on them.
If you leave prohibited items and they are not noticed during the initial inspection, the carrier can still dispose of them later on. In such a case you will not be owed any reimbursement. Please, check our complete policies for more details.
The rules are not as strict as they look
Even though such measures may seem excessive, they are actually very logical. The idea behind them is to protect both the carrier and you, the client. For instance, you may not realize that heavier objects can move around in your car and damage it. Or that insurance does not cover the items inside the vehicle. In such cases, our rules can actually save you quite a lot of trouble.
We from Corsia Logistics always strive to provide the best auto transport services. Sometimes this requires certain preemptive measures. The good news is that, in reality, issues with personal items are rare. Most people realize the importance of such policies and they do their best to comply. If you take our advice on how to prepare your car for shipping you will not have any issues.
What do you think? Are carrier rules too prohibitive? Or do they make sense? In our opinion, auto transport is still one of the best ways to get your car across the country. And with us, you can do it easily. Just give us a call and start the process!
