Moving Terminology
Below you will find explanations for common terms used in the moving industry, and will help you understand your moving estimate. (Definitions provided by the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) and Van Line Program.)
Accessorial (Additional) Services
Moving services such as packing, appliances servicing, unpacking or extra pick-up and/or extra deliveries that you request to be performed (or are necessary because of landlord requirements or other special circumstances). Charges for these moving services are in addition to the transportation charges.
Agent
The local moving company representing a national van lines. May serve as booking, origin, destination and/or hauling agent.
Appliance Service
Preparation of major electrical appliances in order to make them safe for moving.
Bill of Lading
The receipt for your household move including your goods and the contract for their transportation. It is up to you to understand the Bill of Lading before you sign it. If you do not agree with something on the Bill of Lading, do not sign it until you are satisfied with it. The Bill of Lading is an important document. Do not lose or misplace your copy.
Booking Agent
Company/Agent who prices, sells and registers your move with North American Van Lines. A booking agent does not need to be located at or near the origin or destination of your move.
C.O.D.
Transportation for which payment is required at the time of delivery upon arrival at the destination residence (or moving storage).
Carrier
The professional movers who provide the transportation of your household goods.
Check-Off Sheet
The check-off sheet is used at destination as your household goods are being unloaded from the moving truck into your house. Each piece of furniture and all moving boxes will have numbered stickers associated with them - the check-off sheet is used as a quick reference document to ensure all items are moved into your residence.
Destination Agent
The moving agent located at or near your destination who provides necessary moving services and information at the end of your relocation.
Estimate
A general calculation of the transportation charges, as well as costs for additional moving services requested by the customer. Includes an estimation of the shipment weight. At North American Van Lines, we provide a free moving estimate.
Expedited Service
An agreement with the mover to perform transportation by a set date in exchange for moving charges based on a higher minimum weight.
Hauling Agent
Moving agent who owns the moving truck that has been assigned by the van line to transport your possessions.
High Value Article
Items included in a move that are valued at over $100 per pound. These items should be disclosed to the move in order to ensure that they are protected accordingly.
Inventory
The detailed descriptive list of goods in your household move showing the number and condition of every item.
Linehaul Charges
Charges for the transportation of your relocation. These charges apply in addition to the additional moving service fees.
Long Carry
Added charge for carrying articles excessive distances between the mover's vehicle and your residence.
Move Coordinator
Individual that coordinates your move from start to finish. This is your sole point of contact throughout your relocation and is there to assist with your questions and keep you informed and updated until final delivery.
Order for Service
The document which authorizes the moving company to transport your household goods, which lists all the required and/or requested moving services.
Origin Agent
Moving agent at the original location that is responsible for performing local moving services such as packing, performing the visual survey, preparing the necessary documentation for transportation.
Pickup and Delivery Charges
Separate moving charges for transporting your shipment between the temporary moving storage warehouse and your residence.
Registration Number
Number assigned by the van line which is used to identify your shipment. Found in the upper right-hand corner of the Order for Service and the Bill of Lading.
Relocation Specialist
The agent sales representative or consultant which is responsible for providing the customer with a moving estimate of the cost of his/her move, as well as for answering any and all questions the customer may have with regard to the moving process.
Shuttle Service
Use of a smaller vehicle to ‘shuttle' the household items from the moving truck to the residence that are not accessible to the professional movers' normal size equipment.
Storage-In-Transit (SIT)
Temporary moving storage of your shipment pending further transportation to final delivery residence; for example, if your new house is not quite ready to occupy. You must specifically request SIT service, which may not exceed a total of 60 days of moving storage, and you will be responsible for the additional charges for SIT service, as well as the warehouse handling and final moving charges.
Third Party Charges
Charges for moving services not performed by the movers but instead by a professional or other third party mover at your request. The charges for these moving services are paid for by the mover and added to your Bill of Lading charges.
Valuation
The degree of "worth" of the shipment. The valuation charge compensates the mover for assuming a greater degree of liability than that provided for in the base transportation charges. This is also known as Replacement Cost Protection.
Van Line
The national moving company through which affiliated agents are granted the necessary authority to transport shipments. The can line handles dispatching, shipment routing and monitoring, paper work processing and claims settlement for all shipments handled by its agents. North American Van Lines is a full service moving company.
Van Operator
The van driver is responsible for the loading, transport and unloading of the customer's moving boxes and other belongings.
Warehouse Handling
An additional moving charge is applicable each time SIT service is provided. This charge compensates the mover for the physical placement and removal of items within the warehouse.
