Moving Industry Glossary

    What Is Storage in Transit (SIT)?

    Storage in Transit (SIT) is a temporary storage service offered by moving companies when household goods cannot be delivered immediately to the final destination. Common reasons include the new home not being ready, a gap between lease dates, or construction delays. SIT is typically included in the moving contract and governed by the same bill of lading as the transportation service.

    Also known as: SIT, temporary storage, transit storage, short-term warehouse storage.

    SITTemporary StorageWarehouseBill of LadingAccessorial

    What SIT Is and When It's Used

    SIT bridges the gap between when the mover picks up goods and when the destination is ready to receive them. The mover transports the shipment to a secure warehouse facility near the destination city rather than holding it on the truck or returning to the origin.

    Common triggers for SIT include: new home purchase closing delays, apartment availability gaps, military PCS moves with no-earlier-than delivery dates, construction or renovation overruns, and corporate relocations where the employee's start date and housing availability don't align.

    For interstate moves, SIT is classified as an accessorial service under 49 CFR Part 375. The carrier must disclose SIT charges in the estimate and obtain customer agreement before placing goods in storage. The bill of lading remains the governing document throughout the SIT period.

    How SIT Works: Step by Step

    1

    SIT Initiated

    Carrier takes possession of goods and moves them to a warehouse instead of the final destination. A warehouse receipt supplements the bill of lading.

    2

    Storage Period

    Goods remain in the facility. Monthly storage charges accrue per the SIT rate in the contract. Customer can request delivery at any time with proper notice.

    3

    Delivery Notice

    Customer notifies the carrier of the desired delivery date. Federal regulations require carriers to provide the customer a delivery window within 24–72 hours of the agreed date.

    4

    Redelivery

    Carrier transports goods from the warehouse to the final destination. Redelivery charges (handling-out) apply per the contract.

    How SIT Pricing Works

    SIT pricing varies by market, move type, and carrier. There are two primary pricing models — per-CWT and flat monthly — plus one-time handling fees:

    Per-CWT (Hundredweight)

    Common on interstate moves. Charged per 100 lbs of shipment weight per month. A 10,000 lb shipment at $35/CWT costs $350/month.

    $25–$60 per CWT/month
    Flat Monthly Rate

    Common on local and intrastate moves. A fixed monthly fee regardless of weight, often with size tier brackets.

    $50–$150/month typical
    Handling-In / Handling-Out

    One-time fees charged when goods are moved into and out of SIT. Separate from monthly storage costs.

    $150–$500 per event
    Minimum Charge

    Many carriers impose a minimum SIT charge — typically covering the first 30 days — regardless of how long goods are actually stored.

    30-day minimum common

    SIT Rules and Timeframes

    For interstate moves, the first 30 days of SIT are typically covered under the linehaul estimate. After 30 days, storage charges accrue. If SIT continues beyond 90 days, carriers may reclassify the shipment as permanent storage, which changes the governing contract, liability terms, and pricing structure.

    • First 30 days: typically included in the original estimate as a bundled cost
    • Days 31–90: monthly storage charges begin; delivery notice period activates upon customer request
    • Beyond 90–180 days: carrier may reclassify as long-term storage with separate contract terms
    • Delivery notice: customer must give 24–72 hours notice for redelivery; carrier must confirm the delivery window
    • Valuation: elected protection extends through SIT period on interstate moves under federal regulation

    Consumer Rights During SIT

    Customers retain the right to request delivery at any time during the SIT period. Carriers cannot hold goods indefinitely — FMCSA regulations require reasonable delivery scheduling upon request. If delivery is delayed beyond the agreed window, the carrier may be liable for additional costs incurred by the customer.

    Customers also retain the right to access their goods in SIT, though practical access depends on the warehouse facility and may require advance scheduling. Claims for loss or damage during SIT follow the same process as transport claims — the carrier must acknowledge and respond within 30 days.

    Best practice for moving companies

    Send customers a written SIT summary at check-in: the facility address, contact number, estimated monthly charges, delivery notice procedure, and valuation confirmation. Clear documentation prevents most SIT disputes.

    Managing SIT with Software

    SIT creates ongoing billing and operational complexity. Each stored shipment has a check-in date, a billing cycle, a delivery notice window, and redelivery logistics. Managing this across multiple shipments with spreadsheets leads to missed charges, expired SIT periods, and customer service breakdowns.

    DriveSales tracks SIT timelines automatically — alerting you when the first 30 days expire, when delivery notices are received, and when redelivery needs to be scheduled. Storage inventory, billing, and job status stay connected in one system, so nothing falls through the cracks between warehouse and dispatch.

    Storage in Transit — FAQ

    Common questions about SIT pricing, timeframes, and customer rights.

    Track storage inventory without the spreadsheet chaos

    DriveSales manages SIT timelines, billing, and inventory — so you always know what's stored, where, and for how long.

    See Storage Features