The most difficult items to move interstate

Interstate moves are demanding due to excessive paperwork. So, to avoid red tape, learn about what items are worth moving, what cannot be moved at all, and what items are worth the paperwork trouble. Check out our guide on the most difficult items to move interstate and decide whether it’s worth the time, money, and nerves to deal with them. No matter whether you choose to move certain difficult-to-move items or just conduct a regular move, rely on the best moving companies in Florida to tackle the whole moving process.

These are the most difficult items to relocate interstate

1. Heavy & fragile items (pianos, pool tables, grandfather clocks)
2. Glass & delicate items (large mirrors, glass items, chandeliers, light fixtures)
3. Antiques & specialty furniture (antique furniture, wine collections, musical instruments)
4. Aquariums & living items (aquariums, fish tanks, houseplants)
5. Vehicles & large equipment (motorcycles, ATVs, vehicles – cars, boats, RVs)
6. Large & bulky household items (hot tubs, spas, exercise equipment, refrigerators, freezers)
7. Security & heavy-duty items (gun safes, vaults, medical equipment – wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen tanks)
8. Electronics & sensitive devices (TVs, computers, gaming consoles)
9. Outdoor & lawn equipment (lawnmowers, snowblowers, leaf blowers)
10. Climate-sensitive & specialty items (artwork, sculptures, wine collections, musical instruments)

Heavy & fragile items

Pianos, pool tables, and grandfather clocks are difficult to move due to their weight and delicate parts. Namely, pianos can weigh over 1,000 pounds, making them nearly impossible to lift without the right equipment. Next, pool tables require disassembly because the slate top is fragile and can crack under pressure. Grandfather clocks have internal mechanisms that can get damaged if transported incorrectly. Moving these items alone is not worth the risk unless they are of sentimental value.

However, professional movers, such as white glove movers Miami has, use dollies, furniture straps, and padding to protect them during transit. For a piano, securing the lid and wrapping the body in thick blankets prevents scratches. A pool table should be taken apart, with each part packed separately. Grandfather clocks need their pendulum and weights removed before wrapping. thus, hiring experts ensures proper handling and reduces the risk of expensive repairs. If moving without professional help, renting specialized equipment and using multiple people for lifting is necessary. So, carefully make your decision whether to move them or not.

Glass & delicate items are the most difficult items to move interstate

Glass items break easily, making them some of the hardest objects to transport. Large mirrors can crack from minimal pressure, while chandeliers and light fixtures have fragile wiring and hanging parts. So, packing these items incorrectly leads to costly damage. Moving them without professional help is possible, but it requires extra care. What can you do? Wrapping each item in thick blankets and using specialty glass boxes prevents breakage. Besides, cardboard corners on mirrors reduce pressure points, lowering the risk of cracks.

Keep in mind that you should disassemble chandeliers. Wrap each part in bubble wrap and pack in a sturdy crate. Light fixtures need padding to protect delicate bulbs and wiring. Professionals use custom crating and climate-controlled transport to keep these items safe. All in all, handling glass without proper packing leads to expensive replacements, making professional help the safest choice. Therefore, hire moving boxes Miami companies offer and secure your items.

Antiques, specialty furniture, wine collection

Antiques, wine collections, and musical instruments require careful handling due to their value and sensitivity. Antique furniture is fragile and can crack or warp if exposed to sudden movements or moisture. Antique furniture should be wrapped in thick blankets and secured inside the truck to avoid movement. So hiring antique moving companies is a must.  Professional movers use custom crates, climate-controlled trucks, and shock-absorbing packing materials to prevent damage. Hiring professionals protects valuable pieces, but careful self-packing with the right materials can work for small-scale moves.

Next, wine collections need temperature control because heat exposure can spoil the wine.  Besides, some countries prohibit alcohol relocation. Wine bottles need to be placed in temperature-controlled boxes with padding between each bottle. On the other hand, musical instruments, especially string and woodwind types, react to humidity changes, which can damage their structure. Instruments should be placed in hard cases with silica gel packs to control humidity. Thus, moving these items alone is not worth the risk, especially for high-value pieces. Therefore, sell them and buy others in a new country.

Aquariums & living items are the most difficult items to move interstate

Aquariums and houseplants are difficult to move because they are fragile and require special care. Fish tanks cannot be transported with water inside, as movement can cause cracks. Next, pack filters and heaters separately to prevent leaks. However, moving the fish tank is not a big problem as moving the fish itself is. Namely, fish must be placed in sealed bags with oxygen and their existing water to reduce stress. And some countries require a lot of paperwork to accept fish relocation.

On the other hand, houseplants suffer from temperature changes and rough handling, making long-distance transport tricky. Plants should be placed in sturdy boxes with ventilation holes to prevent overheating. Remember, avoid stacking heavy items on top of plant boxes. All in all, moving these items is worth the effort if done correctly, but for large aquariums and rare plants, hiring professionals is the best option to avoid losses. Professional movers specializing in aquariums and plants can provide temperature-controlled transport, ensuring survival. So, hire white glove movers Miami Beach offers if a destination country allows fish and plants.

Vehicles & large equipment are the most difficult items to move interstate

Motorcycles, ATVs, and larger vehicles need specialized transport to prevent damage. They are the most difficult items to move interstate. Standard moving trucks are not designed to carry these items, making professional transport the safest option. Secure motorcycles and ATVs on a pallet with heavy-duty straps to prevent shifting during transport. Cars, boats, and RVs require licensed transport carriers that provide enclosed or open trailer options.

How to move these? First, draining fluids before transport reduces leaks and fire risks. Next, professional movers use hydraulic lifts and wheel chocks to keep vehicles stable. If moving without professional help, renting a car trailer or using a tow dolly is necessary. Boats should be wrapped and secured to prevent road debris damage. RVs must have their tires checked, and all loose items inside should be removed. Moving vehicles is worth the effort, but cutting costs by using the wrong equipment leads to costly repairs. Professional transport is the best option for long distances.

Paperwork required to move vehicles out of Florida

Check out with your interstate moving companies in Miami about documents you should provide besides the following ones:

• Original Certificate of Title (or certified copy) with two additional copies.
• Letter from lienholder or leasing company (if applicable) granting export permission.
• Proof of ownership for foreign-titled vehicles (with English translation if needed).
• Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) for untitled vehicles with two copies.
• Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing through the Automated Export System (AES).
• Internal Transaction Number (ITN) as proof of EEI submission.
• Submission of all documents to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at least 72 hours before export.
• Vehicle inspection at the designated CBP port before departure.
• Written lien release from lienholder (if applicable) before exporting.
• Confirmation of specific CBP port procedures and hours before vehicle transport.

Large & bulky household items (hot tubs, spas, exercise equipment, refrigerators, freezers)

Hot tubs, spas, and exercise equipment are heavy and difficult to transport without proper lifting tools. Hot tubs weigh between 500 and 1,000 pounds, making them impossible to lift without a team. Disassembling the pump and draining all water prevents leaks during transport. Take apart exercise equipment, such as treadmills and home gyms and pack securely. Refrigerators and freezers need to be defrosted at least 24 hours before transport to avoid leaks and mold.

High end movers use dollies, furniture straps, and lifting boards to carry these items safely. Moving them alone is possible but requires multiple people and rented equipment. Wrapping them in blankets and securing them with straps in the moving truck prevents shifting. For expensive items, professional movers provide the best protection. DIY moves work for smaller appliances, but experts should deal with large items to avoid injuries and damage.

Security & heavy-duty items (gun safes, medical equipment – wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen tanks)

Indeed, moving gun safes, vaults, and medical equipment are heavy, so they need special handling. For example, gun safes can weigh over 1,000 pounds, making specialized dollies necessary. In addition, medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and hospital beds, requires careful transport to avoid malfunctions. More importantly, oxygen tanks are highly pressurized and can explode if mishandled. Therefore, professionals use liftgate trucks and reinforced straps to ensure safety. However, if moving without professionals, a heavy-duty dolly and tight truck securing are essential. Also, oxygen tanks must remain upright and away from heat. Overall, moving these items alone is risky. As a result, hiring professionals reduces the chance of damage and injury.

Outdoor & lawn equipment are the most difficult items to move interstate

Lawn equipment is bulky and often contains fuel, making it challenging to move. Draining all fluids before transport prevents leaks and fire hazards. Clean lawn mowers and snow blowers to remove dirt and debris that could damage other items in the truck. Securing them with straps inside the truck prevents movement. Besides, heavy-duty plastic bins can be used for small power tools like leaf blowers. Lawn tractors should be strapped down in a trailer to prevent tipping. Moving lawn equipment is worth the effort, but it requires careful preparation. Hiring professionals ensures safe transport.

Electronics & sensitive devices (TVs, computers, gaming consoles)

Electronics, such as TVs, computers, and gaming consoles, are fragile and need careful handling. Since vibrations and sudden movements can cause damage, proper packing is essential. So, use professional packing services Miami companies provide. Also, factory boxes with foam inserts offer the best protection. However, if unavailable, anti-static bubble wrap and sturdy boxes help reduce risks. Additionally, professional movers use climate-controlled trucks to prevent overheating. If moving independently, securing electronics upright and labeling boxes as “fragile” ensures safe transport. Also, removing batteries and cables prevents overheating and wire damage. While hiring professionals is the safest option, a DIY move is possible with proper padding and placement. Ultimately, careful handling prevents costly repairs.

Climate-sensitive & specialty items (artwork, sculptures, wine collections, musical instruments)

Climate-sensitive items require temperature control to prevent damage. Wine collections can spoil if exposed to heat, and wooden instruments can crack from humidity changes. Professional fine art movers offer climate-controlled transport, which is the best option for valuable collections. If moving without experts, using insulated packing materials and silica gel packs helps protect delicate items. Keeping them in a temperature-stable environment reduces risks. Moving these items without proper precautions can lead to irreversible damage, making professional handling the safest choice.

Hire interstate moving services from Pro Movers Miami

Now that you know what the most difficult items to move interstate are, it is time to decide whether to move them or not. You can consult our interstate movers. They will provide you with all the necessary information about a country’s rules and regulations. However, for most of the items, you will have to deal with the paperwork. Besides, even if a country allows certain items, there is the question of whether moving companies offer specific services and whether they want to move certain pieces. For example, most movers won’t move living beings, so have that in mind when choosing a company. To check what we offer, contact us today, get your free moving quote, and choose the finest moving services Miami has.