Household Goods Carrier — The Legal Classification for Moving Companies
A household goods carrier is a company authorized by the FMCSA to transport personal belongings and household items for compensation. This is the legal classification for moving companies that physically perform residential and commercial moves. To operate as a household goods carrier across state lines, a company must hold both a USDOT number and MC operating authority, and comply with 49 CFR Part 375.
Also known as
HHG carrier, motor carrier
Legal definition
Transports personal property for compensation
Interstate credentials
USDOT + MC authority
Key regulation
49 CFR Part 375
Legal Definition of a Household Goods Carrier
Under 49 U.S.C. § 13102 and FMCSA regulations, a household goods motor carrier is defined as a carrier that, in the ordinary course of business, provides transportation of household goods — including packing, crating, loading, unloading, and storage in transit. The classification applies to any company that physically moves personal property between residences, regardless of size.
The "for compensation" requirement is key: carriers that move goods as a commercial service (not gifting their own property) need federal authority. Intrastate carriers — those operating entirely within one state — fall under state jurisdiction and may have different requirements.
Types of Household Goods Carriers
| Type | Description | Regulation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local (intrastate) | Moves within a single state, typically under 100 miles | State law only — no federal MC required | Moving within the same metro area |
| Intrastate (long distance) | Moves within a single state, longer distances | State law — state carrier license may apply | LA to San Francisco (both in CA) |
| Interstate | Crosses state lines, regardless of distance | FMCSA — requires USDOT + MC authority | NYC to Miami, Chicago to Dallas |
Licensing Requirements for Interstate Carriers
Any company transporting household goods across state lines must obtain and maintain:
- USDOT Number — a unique identifier assigned by FMCSA to all commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce
- MC Operating Authority — specifically 'household goods' carrier authority, obtained via the FMCSA Unified Registration System (URS)
- Cargo insurance — minimum $5,000 per vehicle/$10,000 per occurrence for household goods
- Public liability insurance — minimum levels set by FMCSA based on vehicle weight and cargo type
Carrier Responsibilities Under Federal Law
Once a company holds household goods carrier authority, 49 CFR Part 375 imposes a specific set of obligations on every interstate shipment:
- Provide a written estimate (binding or non-binding) before the move begins
- Issue a bill of lading that serves as the contract of carriage
- Offer both released value protection and full value protection — in writing
- Provide the FMCSA 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet
- Acknowledge written claims within 30 days; settle or deny within 120 days
- Adhere to published tariff rates for accessorial charges
- Maintain cargo and liability insurance as required by FMCSA minimums
- Allow customers to be present at reweigh if they request it
How DriveSales Supports Carrier Operations
Running a compliant household goods carrier operation means managing estimates, BOLs, valuation coverage selections, dispatch, and claims documentation across every job — simultaneously. Manual processes introduce gaps that become liability.
DriveSales is built specifically for household goods carriers: estimates auto-generate BOL fields, valuation selection is captured with e-signature, dispatch assigns crews to jobs with route visibility, and every document is stored per shipment. Carriers using DriveSales spend less time on paperwork and fewer hours managing post-move disputes.
Household Goods Carrier — FAQ
Answers to common questions about HHG carrier licensing and obligations.
Run your carrier operation from one dashboard
DriveSales handles estimates, BOLs, dispatch, and compliance tracking — everything a household goods carrier needs.