Household goods rule enforcement delayed until October 31, 2022

New rules for the household goods moving industry that went into effect this summer will not be enforced until Halloween, the FMCSA has announced.

Changes to 49 CFR Part 375 and Part 371 Subpart B were issued in April and went into effect on June 27, 2022. The changes:

• Allow for virtual surveys of household goods;
• Require motor carriers to conduct surveys beyond a 50-mile radius;
• Remove the requirement for an order for service;
• Update the requirements in the bill of lading;
• Require the bill of lading to be provided earlier in the moving process;
• Replace the requirement for a freight bill with an invoice; and
• Require all motor carriers that have a website to prominently display a link to FMCSA publication ESA 03005, Ready to Move?

The changes also require the preparation of a new binding or non-binding estimate when the individual shipper tenders additional items or requests additional services.

Some provisions in this rule will result in costs for motor carriers, while other provisions will result in cost savings. The changes are expected to result in a net savings of $188,000 annually.

The FMCSA cited the busy summer moving season as a reason for giving moving companies a four-month reprieve by not enforcing the new rules until October 31, 2022. According to the American Trucking Associations, more than half of the industry’s household goods moves take place between May 1 and September 30.