7 Things We Cannot Puton Our Truck
Flammable, corrosive, and explosive items cannot go on our truck. Check under your sink and in the garage before moving day.
The Complete List
People get to moving day with a box of things we cannot legally or safely carry.
Finding out on the day causes delays. It holds up the whole move while you figure out what to do with the items.
This page tells you what to sort out before we arrive:
- Chemicals and flammable liquids
- Gas bottles
- Petrol-powered tools with fuel in the tank
- Firearms and ammunition
- Perishable food
- Pets
- Certain appliances not prepped for transport
Most of these are straightforward to sort before the move. We will go through each one.
Chemicals and Flammable Liquids
We cannot carry anything dangerous, flammable, corrosive, or explosive. This includes things most people have sitting under the sink or in the garage.
Item | What to Do Instead |
Cleaning solvents, nail polish remover | Use them up or dispose of safely before move day |
Bleach, ammonia, liquid chlorine | Do not mix. Dispose of separately. |
Petrol, kerosene, diesel | Empty containers fully. Do not seal and pack. |
Pool chemicals | Contact your local council for disposal options |
Paint thinners, turpentine, strippers | Use up or take to a waste facility |
Cooking oils (large quantities) | Pack in your own car or use up beforehand |
Weedkillers | Dispose of or transport in your own vehicle |
Aerosol cans | Check if pressurised. Most cannot go on the truck. |
Fire extinguishers | These need specialist handling. Do not pack. |
The safest approach is to use chemicals up before the move. If you cannot, take them in your own car in small separate lots so there is no chance of them mixing.
Gas Bottles
We cannot carry LPG bottles unless they are empty and certified as purged by a gas testing station.
- Before move day take your bottles to a gas testing station to have them purged and certified
- Never open the valve yourself to release gas. This is dangerous.
- Empty certified bottles can go on the truck. Uncertified ones cannot.
We serve in Christchurch and other areas as well. See which Christchurch areas we cover and plan from there.
Petrol-Powered Tools
Lawn mowers, chainsaws, generators, leaf blowers. If it runs on petrol, the tank needs to be completely empty before it goes on the truck.
Even a small amount of residual fuel is a fire risk during transport. It also contaminates other items if it spills.
Run the tool until it cuts out. That is the safest way to know the tank is empty. Then clean the tool before packing.
Firearms and Ammunition
We can carry firearms under specific conditions only.
- You must hold a current New Zealand firearms licence
- Each weapon must be unloaded and made inoperable before transport
- Ammunition cannot go on the truck at all, under any circumstances
- If you cannot move ammunition yourself, you will need to surrender it to the police
If you are unsure about what applies to your situation, check with New Zealand Police before moving day.
Documents, Valuables, and Irreplaceable Items
We can physically carry these. But we recommend you do not put them on the truck.
Item | Why You Should Carry It Yourself |
Passports, birth certificates, wills | Impossible to replace quickly if lost |
Jewellery and watches | High value, small size, easy to misplace |
Hard drives and USB drives | Data loss is permanent |
Family photos and heirlooms | No replacement exists |
Medications | You may need them the same day |
Cash | Cannot be claimed if lost in transit |
Take these with you on moving day. Put them in a bag that travels in your car, not in a box going on the truck. Read our hour by hour walkthrough for better context.
Perishable Food
It does not make sense to move food that will go off. The truck moves, vibrates, and the temperature inside is not controlled.
Eat down your fridge and pantry in the weeks before the move. It is one less thing to worry about.
- Tinned and dried food is fine to pack and move
- Fresh food, open containers, and liquids should not go on the truck
- A leaking bottle of olive oil in a box will ruin everything around it
Plan your last big supermarket shop for after you are in the new place. It saves packing time and avoids food waste.
Washing Machines and Certain Appliances
We can move washing machines and most large appliances. But they need to be prepared first or we cannot take them.
- Washing machines: The drum must be secured for transport. Check your manual for instructions. Most machines came with transit bolts but if you don’t have them, let us know.
- Fridges and freezers: Need to be defrosted and completely dry before the move. A wet fridge on a truck damages flooring and surrounding items.
- Other appliances: Check the manufacturer instructions. Some need specific preparation before they can be moved safely.
If you are not sure whether an appliance is ready to move, ask us before the day. It is much easier to sort in advance than on the morning.
Pets
Pets cannot travel in the moving truck. It is stressful for them and not safe.
Arrange for pets to be looked after by someone else on moving day, or book a specialist pet transport service if you are moving long distance.
Keep them out of the house while movers are working. Doors are open constantly and a stressed animal can bolt easily.
Moving an Office? A Few Extra Things Apply.
Office moves have some additional items to think about.
- Confidential documents: Shred what you don’t need. Do not move years of files you will never open again.
- Kitchen supplies: Communal food, open condiments, and cleaning chemicals in the kitchen all fall under the same rules above.
- Plants: Large office plants need to travel separately. They cannot be packed into boxes or placed under heavy items.
Read our detailed office relocation guide to better prepare for the move.
Not Sure About Something?
If you have an item you are not sure about, ask us before moving day. We would rather sort it out early than hold up your move on the day.
The list above covers the most common situations. There will always be edge cases and we are happy to talk through yours.