What Is a Household Goods (HHG) Move?
A household goods (HHG) move is the transportation of personal property used, or intended for use, in a home from one location to another. Typical shipments include furniture, clothing, kitchen equipment, books, and packed personal possessions. The federal definition in 49 CFR § 375.103 addresses household goods moved for an individual shipper, including certain household items purchased for a dwelling and transported at the householder's request and expense.
In everyday civilian language, an HHG move often means hiring a professional moving company to transport your home contents. In a military permanent change of station (PCS), the phrase usually means the government arranges a moving company, also called a transportation service provider (TSP), to pack and transport authorized belongings. These uses overlap, but their booking and payment rules are not identical.
What Counts as Household Goods?
Most ordinary belongings from a residence fit the everyday description of household goods: beds, sofas, dining tables, dressers, lamps, dishes, electronics, linens, clothing, toys, and boxed possessions. The shipment may also include properly prepared appliances, provided the carrier accepts them and the service is included in the agreement.
A furniture store delivering a new sofa is not necessarily an HHG mover; FMCSA explains the distinction.
What may be excluded from an HHG shipment?
A mover may prohibit hazardous materials, perishable food, live plants, or other items under its policies and applicable law. High-value items, firearms, collections, and delicate equipment may require special documentation or arrangements. Do not assume that something is accepted merely because it fits inside a box. Ask for the carrier's written prohibited-items list and any special handling instructions before packing.
Keep passports, medications, cash, keys, and irreplaceable essentials with you.
How Does a Civilian HHG Move Work?
1. Survey and written estimate
The mover first identifies what you intend to ship and the services you need. A survey may be performed on site or virtually; the applicable federal rules and written waiver provisions govern the survey for regulated interstate moves. The estimate should describe the shipment, services, pricing basis, and whether it is binding or non-binding. Compare binding estimates and non-binding estimates before signing.
2. Packing and preparation
You may pack your own boxes or pay for professional packing. The mover can arrange protective wrapping, furniture disassembly, special handling, or appliance preparation when offered. Confirm which services are included rather than assuming “full service” has the same meaning across companies. Ask about accessorial moving charges for stairs, long carries, and other difficult access conditions.
3. Inventory and loading
For a regulated interstate shipment, the mover must prepare a written, itemized moving inventory list identifying every carton and uncartoned item. Under 49 CFR § 375.503, you must have the opportunity to observe and verify the inventory, and the mover must provide the signed copy before or at loading. Review condition notes before signing, and photograph any pre-existing damage.
4. Transportation and delivery
Your bill of lading is the transportation contract. Review the delivery terms, check the numbered inventory at arrival, and record missing or damaged items in writing.
How Is a Military HHG Move Different?
For a military PCS, Military OneSource defines an HHG move as one completed by a government-furnished transportation service provider. The TSP generally handles packing and transportation under the applicable military personal property program. You coordinate with your transportation office and follow the authorized shipment and weight allowance rules.
In a personally procured move (PPM), the service member arranges transportation. A partial PPM may be authorized alongside an HHG shipment. Follow your orders and the official PPM guidance.
The term “HHG” alone therefore does not tell you whether a move is paid for by the government. Ask whether the discussion concerns a private household goods shipment or a government-arranged military HHG shipment.
Is an HHG Move Always Interstate?
No. Household goods can be moved locally, within one state, or between states. Interstate describes the transportation route and jurisdiction, not the type of possessions. A move between two states is generally interstate, and a move between two points in one state can also qualify when the transportation passes through another state. The FMCSA's interstate move explanation provides examples.
For private interstate household goods moves covered by 49 CFR Part 375, federal consumer protection requirements apply. Local and intrastate household moves are generally governed by relevant state requirements instead. A military move may also be subject to government transportation contracts and military program rules; do not assume every civilian payment rule applies unchanged.
How Much Does an HHG Move Cost?
There is no single HHG price. Costs depend on shipment size or weight, distance, required labor, packing, access conditions, storage, scheduling, and the carrier's applicable pricing terms. Local moves may use hourly labor pricing, while interstate moves may use tariff-based transportation charges and additional services.
Consider a hypothetical interstate move with a $3,200 transportation charge, $450 in professional packing, and $150 in disclosed access services. The illustrated total is $3,800 before any other lawful adjustments. Those figures are only a calculation example, not an industry average or a quote from Relocation Standard.
A quote that appears cheaper may omit packing, long carries, or storage. Ask each mover to price the same inventory and services. For military HHG moves, the government-arranged process and your authorized entitlements determine the financial arrangement; use your transportation office rather than applying civilian price estimates to a PCS reimbursement decision.
What Documents Should You Receive?
For a typical regulated interstate household goods move, important records include the written estimate, order for service, bill of lading, inventory, and valuation election. Depending on the shipment, you may also receive weight tickets, tariff explanations, storage records, or additional service authorizations.
Read the documents before loading. The FMCSA's rights and responsibilities booklet explains key protections and the difference between moving and brokerage services. Keep copies of every signed version, not just an online booking confirmation.
What is valuation protection?
Valuation determines the mover's level of responsibility for covered loss or damage; it is not the same as purchasing ordinary homeowners insurance. Regulated interstate movers must offer applicable valuation choices. Compare Full Value Protection with Released Value Protection and ask how high-value articles should be declared.
How to Choose an HHG Moving Company
Determine whether you are hiring a carrier or a moving broker. Use the FMCSA registered mover search to check interstate registration and business type.
Compare the written estimate with your belongings, addresses, access restrictions, packing, valuation, and delivery period. Keep dispatcher and claims contacts handy.
HHG Move Preparation Checklist
Inventory rooms, photograph furniture, identify valuables, and separate essentials. Tell the estimator about stairs, elevators, parking, and storage. Reserve loading access before moving day.
On loading day, compare carton counts and item descriptions with the inventory. At delivery, inspect before signing a clean receipt and note discrepancies promptly. Keep photographs, communications, and your inventory together in case a moving damage claim becomes necessary.
Final Thoughts
An HHG move is a shipment of household belongings, but the details depend on whether you are booking a private mover or arranging a military PCS shipment. Knowing the difference helps you understand who pays, who packs, what paperwork you should receive, and how claims are handled. For a civilian relocation, explore Relocation Standard's residential moving services, interstate moving services, and military moving services while requesting a written estimate based on your actual shipment.
