You need to know terms like Billing Weight, Tare Weight, Accessorial Services, and Bill of Lading. Understanding this vocabulary removes stress, clarifies required vs. optional services, and empowers you to confidently compare estimates for your move.
Moving is a specialized industry and one that some interact with on an infrequent basis. The average U.S. citizen will move 11.4 times in his or her lifetime, according to FiveThirtyEight. That's slightly less than one move per decade, all told, which means you may not be intimately familiar with some important but less-common terms in the moving world.
Atlas is here to help you clear up any confusion with our A-to-Z moving dictionary, full of definitions that help you navigate the moving process, including a number of real estate terms related to buying and selling a home.
Expert Insights: Why Understanding Moving Terms Matters
These moving terms describe important steps, costs, or services that can directly impact your move. According to Atlas moving specialists, a common challenge customers face is not knowing which terms relate to mandatory services and which refer to optional or add-on support.
Common Challenges Movers Experience When They Don’t Know Key Terms
Atlas agents frequently see customers struggle with:
-
Misinterpreting required documents, like certificates or release orders for international moves.
-
Confusion about service types, such as what counts as an accessorial service.
-
Difficulty comparing estimates, because terms like "tare weight" or "valuation" can be unclear.
-
Uncertainty about real-estate-related terms when buying or selling a home during a move.
-
Understanding what movers can and cannot legally transport.
Helping customers understand this language removes stress and empowers them to make confident decisions throughout their move.
What Customers Say About Having a Knowledgeable Moving Partner
Our customers consistently highlight how valuable it is to have someone explain these terms clearly:
“We moved from Florida to Texas, and the price was exactly what was quoted. It was great that we could specify both the pick-up and delivery dates. We were provided an in-home estimate, on-the-spot quote, and great customer service until the very end.”
— Renee from Jupiter, FL
“In addition to the estimated quote from your company being accurate, the experience today I had with James and crew was outstanding, you are very blessed to have that team working for you. ”
— Amanda from Dallas, TX
How to Use This Moving Dictionary
Because moving terminology is often unfamiliar, this guide is organized to help you quickly find the definitions and concepts that matter most to your move. Here’s how to get the most out of it:
Quick Navigation
-
Scan by category: Real estate terms, international move terms, and moving services are grouped into easy-to-skim sections.
-
Look for bolded keywords inside definitions to quickly identify what a term relates to: costs, documents, services, or logistics.
-
Use internal links (where available) to jump to full explanations, related resources, and Atlas service pages.
Most Useful for…
-
First-time movers learning the basics of moving vocabulary.
-
Long-distance and international movers dealing with documents and specialty services.
-
Home buyers and sellers navigating real estate terminology during relocation.
-
Anyone comparing estimates and trying to understand which services are required vs. optional.
Selected Definitions from the Atlas Moving Dictionary
Service and Logistics Terms
- Accessorial services: Many moves involve more than just the physical transport of your belongings from your old home to your new one. Accessorial services are any other services necessary to complete the move or that are requested by a customer. One of the most common is packing, where our skilled agents secure your belongings, large and small, before the move occurs. Other examples include custom crating, appliance servicing and stair and long-distance carry needs, among others.
- Shuttle service: Used when a full-size moving van cannot access your residence due to narrow streets, steep driveways, or limited parking. A smaller truck is used to complete pickup or delivery.
- Walk board: The ramp used to connect a moving vehicle with the ground and eliminate the need to lift heavy items or boxes from the ground to the truck.
Documents, Weight, and Cost Terms
- Billing weight: The weight used to determine charges for the shipment.
- Bill of lading: A legally binding document between you and the mover that outlines services, timelines, and responsibilities. You receive and sign this on moving day.
- Carrier's certificate and release order: The carrier's certificate and release order is a necessary component of international moves, as it's filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to share details of a shipment's ownership and what's inside the vehicle or container moving the items. It also establishes that the owner of the items being moved into the country can file for CBP to release that cargo.
- Declared value protection: A valuation option that allows the customer to declare a specific amount of value on a shipment, using $1.25 per pound minimum or lump sum value, for an additional charge. Atlas Van Lines automatically includes Full Value Protection unless you tell us otherwise.
- Tare weight: The weight of a moving truck, including any moving equipment and packing materials, before it's loaded with a shipment. This is vital in accurately calculating moving costs.
Real Estate and Relocation-Related Terms
- Closing costs: Fees associated with finalizing a home purchase, including taxes, lender fees, title insurance, and escrow services.
- Earnest money: A deposit representing a buyer’s good-faith intention to purchase, often part of the down payment.
- Open-end mortgage: An open-end mortgage can be expanded, allowing the mortgage holder to borrow more money without rewriting the initial agreement.
- Quitclaim deed: A document that removes any interest or title claim a person may have in a piece of property.
International and Specialty Move Terms
- Export declaration: A government form required for shipments being exported; must be filed for high-value shipments.
- Foreign service premium: Employees who engage in corporate relocations frequently receive a cash allowance in exchange for their decision to accept a foreign posting with their employer. This payment is sometimes called an international adjustment allowance or an international assignment premium.
- Health certificate: Often called the same thing for both pets and humans, the health certificate serves different purposes for each. For people, it's a certified statement from a physician about an individual's health and physical condition, often used to substantiate the need for prescription medication. For pets, it's a certified statement from a veterinarian about an animal's health and vaccination history, needed to enter certain foreign countries.
- Landbridge, full: Items carried from one foreign port to another, moving across the entire U.S. (east to west, north to south, or a combination of directions) on the ground.
Need Help Decoding Your Move? Atlas Has You Covered
Understanding moving terminology is just the first step toward a smoother, safer, more confident long-distance move. A clear grasp of these terms helps you make informed decisions, compare estimates, and understand what to expect during each stage of the moving process. With the right support, all of that information becomes easier to put into action.
If you’re ready to turn knowledge into action, explore our moving resources or connect with a local Atlas agent who can walk you through your move from start to finish.
Get a free moving quote, browse our planning tools, or speak with an expert today and feel confident knowing you have a trusted team behind your move.
Know someone else planning a move? Share this dictionary to help them feel more prepared, too!