Avoiding Legal Trouble During Your Interstate Move

Posted on: 8 June 2015

If you are in the process of planning an interstate move, then it is vital that you understand that there are some items that are not legal to transport across state lines. Whether you are utilizing the services of a professional moving company (seek out interstate movers) or are moving your belongings yourself, knowing what items are illegal to transport is very important if you want to avoid legal troubles. As if moving isn't already stressful enough, the last thing you need is to add legal bills on the top!  

Below are some examples of items that are not always legal to move from one state to another:

Your Family Pets

If you are the owner of an exotic pet, then you might be surprised to learn that it may be illegal to house them in your new home state, and it may even be illegal to transport them through certain states. The reason for these restrictions is that it is believed that if these types of pets are released or get loose into the wild, then they will form invasive colonies that can damage the habitats of natural species. 

For example, in the state of California it is legal to own a green iguana, but it is not legal to own a ferret. The reason is that iguanas are not able to live outside in most areas, so they are not a threat to native species or territory. Ferrets have the ability to quickly reproduce and adapt, so they are banned because it is believed that they can easily colonize if left to their own devices in the wild.

Your Houseplants

Just as animals can become invasive species, so too can plants. Nearly all states regulate the transport of live vegetation across their state lines. For this reason, most interstate moving companies will not agree to move any houseplants.

Alcoholic Beverages

It may seem odd that in this current time there are restrictions on the movement of alcoholic beverages, but there are many states with tight alcohol laws. For example, the state of Pennsylvania strictly prohibits the transport of alcoholic beverages into and through their state.

Conclusion

Understanding about the legalities of moving your pets, houseplants, and alcoholic beverages from one state to another will help you to avoid legal issues while moving. If you have questions about other items that you are not sure are legal to transport, please contact an interstate moving company's representative for more information. 

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