So, you’ve chosen Great Canadian Van Lines as your long distance moving team. We’re excited to have you aboard! We’re glad for the opportunity to help your long distance move go as smoothly as possible.
While our experienced long distance moving team has seen it all and done it all, there are a few items that we cannot move due to safety reasons.
1 – Hazardous, Explosive, Corrosive, or Flammable Materials
Hazardous items that Long Distance Van Lines will not move include:
- Propane tanks
- Fire extinguishers
- Paint thinner
- Charcoal
- Ammonia
- Liquid bleach
- Matches
- SCUBA tanks
- Car batteries
- Gasoline
- Ammunition
- Fireworks
- Gas-filled engines
In general, explosive or flammable materials such as propane tanks, fire extinguishers, gasoline, and charcoal shouldn’t be moved by movers. We also will not ship gas-filled engines such as lawn-mowers or snow-blowers, so be sure to drain the gas tanks first or run them until they are empty!
This also includes items such as ammunition, black powders or primers, propellants, kerosene, lighter fluid, nitric acid, etc.
A good rule of thumb is to consider items that can’t be normally shipped through the postal service or disposed of through regular trash collection.
Since a moving truck is a contained space where items may shift or rattle, these items simply aren’t safe to transport on our moving trucks.
2 – Perishable Food
During a long distance move, your truck will not have refrigeration. We ask that you don’t pack any food that will spoil, such as meat and dairy products, fruits or vegetables, breads, condiments, frozen foods, or other foods that won’t survive a long, unrefrigerated ride.
We recommend consuming what you can before your move and/or moving the items in a cooler in your own vehicle.
3 – Opened Food Containers
If you choose to pack dry foods on our moving truck, we will require that these items be unopened. This is to prevent attracting pests into the truck so we can protect your goods.
4 – Live Plants
Not only do we not want your house plants to go for an extended period of time without sun or water, but it’s also not legal for us to transport live house plants (it requires a special permit). Check up on your local laws to make sure you can take your plants with you, or gift them to a lucky neighbor before the move.
5 – Live Pets
This goes without saying, but Great Canadian Van Lines cannot transport live animals as part of your long distance move. Keep your family pets with you during your move or schedule transportation from a certified animal transportation service.
6 – Valuables
While Great Canadian Van Lines prides ourselves in keeping our clients’ goods safe, we find that customers sleep better if they carry their valuables with them. Keep cash, important documents, jewelry, heirlooms, stock certificates, etc. with you in a portable safe during your long distance move instead of packing them into the moving van.
7 – Specialty Items
Specialty items such as pianos or large safes, pool tables, or hot tubs may not be able to be moved by Great Canadian Van Lines. Please speak with one of our moving specialists in advance to discuss whether this is something we will be able to assist with.
How Can We Help?
Do you have any questions about what Great Canadian Van Lines will and won’t move during your long distance move? Don’t hesitate to reach out! Our customer service team will be happy to offer any advice you need to prepare for moving day.
