Moving day planning isn’t just about what’s coming with you — it’s also about what can’t come. Professional moving companies have clear restrictions on items they cannot legally or safely transport, and understanding these in advance prevents last-minute moving day crises. Here’s a comprehensive guide to handling the items that can’t ride in the truck.
Hazardous Materials: Dispose Before Moving Day
Flammable and explosive: paint, stain, varnish, lighter fluid, camping fuel, propane tanks, and compressed gas cylinders.
Chemical hazards: pool chemicals, fertilizers, weed killers, pesticides, bleach (in large quantities), acids, and industrial solvents.
What to do: Hennepin County and Ramsey County both have household hazardous waste collection sites that accept these items free of charge. Other metro counties have similar programs.
Perishable Food: Use It, Donate It, or Leave It
Perishable refrigerated and frozen food cannot be safely transported in a moving truck — especially in Minnesota summer heat.
Two weeks before your move: start intentionally eating through perishables. Use a meal planning app to work through your pantry.
Non-perishable food donations: Twin Cities food banks and food shelves accept unexpired non-perishable items — a meaningful use for food you won’t be taking.
Large or Illegal Firearms and Ammunition
Firearms must be transported in your personal vehicle, unloaded, following all Minnesota and federal transportation requirements. Ammunition is transported separately.
Never put firearms or ammunition in a moving truck with a crew — this is both illegal in many contexts and creates a liability issue for the moving company.
Live Plants in Certain Situations
Some states restrict transporting certain plant species. Within Minnesota, most plants can move freely.
However, very large or delicate plants are better transported in your air-conditioned personal vehicle — the temperature extremes in a moving truck can be fatal to many houseplants.
Personal Valuables: Travel With You
Jewelry, irreplaceable documents (passports, birth certificates, estate documents), cash, external hard drives with important data, and heirloom items of exceptional value.
These travel in your personal vehicle where they are within your control at all times — not in a truck where they could potentially be accessed or affected by unforeseen circumstances.
Ready to Move? Let’s Make It Easy.
At Cheep Cheep Movers, we make local moving in the Twin Cities affordable and stress-free. Whether you need a full-service move or just some extra muscle, we’re here to help.
📞 Call us: 612-234-6605
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