If you’ve received a moving quote and noticed line items like shuttle, long carry, or elevator fee, you’re not alone in wondering what they mean.
These are called accessorial charges, and understanding them is essential if you want to budget accurately and avoid surprises on moving day.
This guide breaks down what accessorials are, why they appear on your quote, and how they impact your final cost. When working with a professional mover like FastPAC Forwarding, we include these charges in your quote, if applicable, so you’ll never be surprised or, even worse, have your shipment held hostage until you pay the unforeseen additional charges on delivery day.
What Are Accessorial Charges in Moving?
In the moving industry, accessorials refer to additional services that may be required to complete your move safely and efficiently.
Every home and every move is different. Some properties allow a full-size truck to park directly outside the residence with ground-level access. Others involve narrow streets, high-rise buildings, limited parking, and multiple flights of stairs. Accessorial charges account for these logistics. Here are some examples:
- Parking Permit
- Elevator
- Shuttle
- Long Carry
- Flight Carry
- Warehouse Handling
Often, executing these services may require third-party crews. While this involvement may feel unexpected if it was not explained to you during evaluation, these pre-vetted professionals are hired to protect your belongings and ensure proper handling. Since their work requires specialized skills and equipment, it appears separately on your estimate.
Why Do You Need Accessorials?
Accessorials are required when your move goes beyond the standard scope of packing, loading, and transportation.
For example, you may have large exercise equipment that needs to be disassembled before transport and reassembled at the destination. You might have a wall-mounted television or shelving that must be taken down before packing. High-value or fragile items like mirrors, artwork, or specialty décor may require custom crating for proper protection. If your property also has limited parking, strict city regulations, or building access restrictions, additional services may be needed to complete the move properly.
Overall, these services are added to your moving quote to address the unique circumstances of your move.
Why Are Accessorials Included in Your Quote?
A professional moving company identifies potential accessorials during the evaluation process, whether through a virtual survey or an in-person assessment.
At FastPAC Forwarding, these potential services are included in your quote upfront for one reason: transparency.
Because access conditions can change or be difficult to confirm until moving day, certain services are listed as anticipated. If they are not ultimately required, they are removed. If they are required, they are already accounted for in your estimate and come as no surprise.
This approach allows you to budget realistically from the beginning.
Note that it is a red flag when a moving company presents a lower initial estimate by excluding likely accessorials, only to add them later once the move is underway. A transparent quote may appear more detailed, but it prevents surprises.
Breakdown of Different Types of Accessorials
Property Access
Many accessorial charges relate to how easily your home can be accessed by a moving truck and crew. Here are the charges for additional work required due to the layout of your property.
For example, if a full-size moving truck cannot park directly outside your home due to narrow streets, urban restrictions, or building regulations, a smaller vehicle – known as a shuttle – may be required. Your belongings are first loaded onto the shuttle and then transferred to the main truck. This adds time and labor, which is why it appears as a separate service on your quote.
Similarly, if the distance between your home and the truck exceeds 50 feet, a long carry charge may apply. While 50 feet may not sound significant, repeated trips carrying furniture and boxes over extended distances increase labor time.
In apartment buildings or high-rise properties, elevator usage may require additional time. Even if an elevator is available, coordinating multiple trips and complying with building rules can extend the packing and loading process. If there are stairs involved – referred to as a flight carry – that physical effort must also be accounted for.
Parking Permits and City Regulations
In many cities, especially dense urban areas, parking permits are required to reserve space for a moving truck.
If a permit must be secured at the origin or destination, that cost may appear on your estimate. However, if it turns out that a permit is not necessary, the charge is removed.
Including this possibility upfront prevents last-minute scrambling and unexpected expenses on moving day.
Storage and Warehouse Handling
Another common accessorial relates to storage. You may see terms such as Warehouse Handling, SIT at Origin, or SIT at Destination on your estimate. These refer to the temporary storage of your shipment. It may be included for several reasons:
- You requested storage as part of your move.
- Delivery timing does not align with your new home’s availability.
If storage is not needed, those charges are removed.
Are Accessorial Charges Guaranteed?
No, accessorial charges are conditional. They are included as anticipated services based on the information gathered during your move survey and confirmed only on moving day. Whatever additional services are not needed are removed. By listing potential charges upfront, your moving company prepares you for all likely scenarios while maintaining transparency.
Final Thoughts on Accessorials
These additional services and charges exist because no two moves are identical. One non-negotiable thing is that they should never be a surprise. A professional mover like FastPAC Forwarding will list and explain all services included in your free quote. If you have questions about any line item, ask your move coordinator to walk you through it. A well-prepared move begins with trust and transparency.
