What Is a Mover’s Tariff?
Here’s the quick answer: A mover’s tariff is a legal document that lists a moving company’s services, rates, fees, and rules, and federal law bars interstate movers from charging you anything different from it. You have the right to see it for free, so ask for it before you book to catch hidden fees early. This guide explains what’s in a tariff, how to use it, and how to find a trustworthy mover, like a moveBuddha Certified mover from our list of the best interstate moving companies.
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Why moveBuddha:
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
Jump to the mover’s tariff info you’re looking for:
What is a mover’s tariff?
A mover’s tariff is a published schedule of a moving company’s rates, charges, and rules for every service it offers. Federal rules require interstate movers to describe their services and list the specific rates, charges, and service terms that apply to your move.
Each interstate mover publishes its own tariff. Movers once shared an industry-wide tariff, but federal regulators ended that collective ratemaking in 2008. If you move with a national van line, though, its local agents generally use the van line’s tariff, so your pricing rules stay consistent from pickup to delivery.
A tariff also covers the rules behind your move, including:
- How your moving documents are prepared
- How your belongings are weighed and transported
- How and when you pay
- How much liability the mover takes on for loss or damage
- How to file a claim and how disputes are settled
Why is a mover’s tariff important?
A tariff is one of the most important documents you’ll get when moving, because it lists every service and its price. Think of it like a restaurant menu: an interstate mover can’t charge you more than its published rates, and it can’t invent a fee that isn’t in the tariff.
You also have the right to see it. Your mover must tell you that you can inspect its tariff, and it must give you a free copy of any tariff section you ask for. If a mover dodges the request, cross it off your list.
The catch is that you’re agreeing to the tariff, too. Your bill of lading includes the tariff’s terms, so a service listed in the tariff is fair game, even if it costs more than you expected.
Better Moves participant Irena M. saw this firsthand. Her final bill came in $150 higher because her stairs weren’t in the original quote. She wasn’t upset, since “the contract clearly indicates a charge for steps.”
Not everyone is as relaxed about it. In our Better Moves Project, 53% of responses rated their quote’s accuracy a 5 out of 5, but 13% rated it a 1 or 2.
What does a mover’s tariff include?
Most tariffs list these charges. You won’t need all of them, but knowing the price of each helps you spot surprises before moving day:
| Tariff item | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Packing | Per-box material & labor rates, often flat per carton |
| Valuation | Free released value vs. paid full-value protection |
| Long carries | Fees when your door is far from the truck |
| Stairs & elevators | Per-flight or per-trip fees |
| Bulky items | Extra fees for pianos, hot tubs, motorcycles & more |
| Storage | Daily or monthly rates, plus warehouse handling fees |
| Extra stops | Fees for added pickups or deliveries |
| Fuel surcharge | Usually tied to the national average diesel price |
| Custom crating | Rates for marble, art & sculptures |
| Appliance service | Disconnect & reconnect fees, if offered |
| Shuttle service | A smaller truck when a big rig can’t reach your home |
Storage is the fee that surprises people most. Even a short stay includes the labor to unload your items into the warehouse, so get storage prices upfront if there’s any chance you’ll need it.
Long carries and shuttle fees show up on real bills. Jen H. shared her itemized American Van Lines estimate, which listed a $312.82 fuel surcharge, a $325.50 shuttle fee, a $52.08 elevator fee, and a $39.06 long carry fee.
Kelly D.’s mover charged her $450 for a long carry because her apartment was far from the loading dock. Ask where your mover draws the line before moving day.
Crating is another one to price early. Mary K. paid $750 more when the item that needed crating turned out larger than the mover had scoped.
Fuel surcharges on interstate moves are typically tied to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s weekly diesel average, so they rise and fall with fuel prices.
How do you use a mover’s tariff?
You don’t need to read every page. Focus on the parts that affect your move:
- Ask each mover for its tariff, or the sections that apply to your move, before you book.
- Check the rates for services you’ll actually use, like packing, stairs, or storage.
- Compare your written estimate to the tariff, so every line item matches a published rate.
- Review the valuation options, payment terms, and claims rules, including any arbitration clause.
- Ask about discounts, which interstate movers usually apply as one percentage off the whole bill.
- Get a binding or not-to-exceed estimate, so your price is capped.
moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and service level together, so you can tell whether a quote built from a mover’s tariff is fair before you book.
A binding or not-to-exceed estimate caps your price, but only for the services it lists. Marcie N. had a “guaranteed not to exceed” estimate and still paid $64.12 more, because the driver said he packed her mattresses. Ana-Lisa S., who had a binding quote of $3,091.25, expected to pay $3,089.24 at delivery.
It also pays to ask. Carrie W. got her mover’s rep to negotiate her fuel surcharge and lock it in before she booked.
How are interstate & in-state moving tariffs different?
The FMCSA regulates only interstate moves. For a local or in-state move, your state sets the rules, and some states set the rates, too:
| Move type | Who regulates | How tariffs work |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate | FMCSA | Each mover publishes its own tariff |
| Pennsylvania | PA Public Utility Commission | Movers must charge PUC-approved tariff rates |
| California | Bureau of Household Goods & Services | A state tariff sets maximum rates |
In Pennsylvania, movers charge hourly rates for moves of 40 miles or less and weight-and-mileage rates for longer moves. Because they must charge their filed rates, Pennsylvania movers generally can’t discount them. California’s Maximum Rate Tariff 4 works the other way: it caps what movers can charge, but movers can quote less.
If you have a problem on an in-state move, contact your state’s moving regulator instead of the FMCSA.
How do you find a mover you can trust?
A tariff protects you only if your mover follows it. Before you compare tariffs, narrow your list to reputable movers:
| Step | What to check |
|---|---|
| Check licensing | An active USDOT number on FMCSA SAFER |
| Read reviews | Recent reviews & complaints about fees |
| Carrier vs. broker | A carrier that does the move, not a broker |
| Compare quotes | 3+ written quotes from the best moving companies |
Choosing a moveBuddha Certified mover adds $1,000 in move coverage, plus dispute mediation if something goes wrong.
What can you do if a mover overcharges you?
The oldest trick in the book is holding your belongings until you pay more than you agreed to. That’s illegal on interstate moves, and there are steps you can take if movers hold your items hostage.
Our Better Moves participants ran into this too. Esmé W. saw a $3,900 transportation fee appear after her items were loaded, even though her mover quoted her an “all inclusive flat rate.” She said it felt like her mover was holding her belongings ransom.
Joey H.’s mover charged him an after-10 p.m. fee that wasn’t in his contract or on the mover’s website. Tetiana M. pushed back when her mover claimed extra cubic feet and extra charges her contract didn’t list, and got a possible $800 increase down to about $100.
If your broker and your carrier are different companies, expect to be bounced between them. Kelsey W. got hit with a long carry fee and an “early reservation fee,” and the driver told her to sort it out with the broker.
Keep your estimate, bill of lading, and tariff pages, since they show what you agreed to pay. Then file a complaint with the FMCSA for an interstate move, or your state regulator for an in-state move. Our guide to common moving scams covers other red flags, and the FMCSA’s Your Rights & Responsibilities When You Move explains your rights.
FAQ
What is a mover’s tariff?
A mover’s tariff is a legal document that lists a moving company’s services, rates, fees, and rules. It covers everything from packing and storage prices to valuation, payment, and claims. Interstate movers can’t charge you anything different from their tariff.
Are a mover’s tariff rates negotiable?
A mover’s tariff rates are often negotiable on interstate moves, since many movers discount them. Discounts are usually one percentage off the whole bill. Some states, like Pennsylvania, require movers to charge their filed rates.
Do movers have to give you a copy of their tariff?
Movers have to give you a copy of any tariff section you ask for, free of charge. Interstate movers must also tell you that you have the right to inspect their tariff. They don’t have to hand it to you unless you ask.
Can a mover charge more than its tariff?
No, an interstate mover can’t charge more than its tariff. Federal rules bar movers from charging a different rate than the one in their tariff. Your final price can still rise if you add services that the tariff lists.
Who regulates in-state moving tariffs?
Your state regulates in-state moving tariffs, not the FMCSA. In Pennsylvania, that’s the Public Utility Commission, and in California, it’s the Bureau of Household Goods & Services. Rules vary widely, so check your state’s regulator.
Can movers be penalized for tariff violations?
Yes, movers can be penalized for tariff violations by federal or state regulators. Charging rates that don’t match the tariff can lead to fines. File a complaint if your mover charges you something that isn’t in its tariff.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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