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If you are moving across the U.S., it is tempting to treat your car like a rolling storage unit. A few bags in the trunk. A box of essentials in the back seat. Then pickup day arrives and the driver pauses, because what is inside the vehicle can change the rules, the inspection, and sometimes the price. In our experience at TCI, the most common avoidable pickup delay happens when a vehicle arrives packed like a mini moving truck. The driver still has to inspect the car quickly, load it safely, and keep the shipment compliant. This guide explains what is typically allowed, what is risky, and how to pack personal items so your shipment stays smooth. When shipping a car with personal items, most carriers prefer the vehicle to be empty. DOT rules prohibit transporting household items with a vehicle while it is in transit, and any personal belongings left inside are shipped at the owner’s risk. Remove your toll tag before pickup. Even if your car is not being driven, it can still pass through toll lanes on the trailer. If your tag is hard-mounted and you cannot remove it, place it in a signal-blocking pouch, or wrap it in foil, and store it away from the windshield. Auto transport is built around one asset: the vehicle. Carriers focus on safe loading, proper tie-down points, legal weights, clearance angles, and a clean inspection process. When personal items enter the picture, the shipment starts to look like a household move, and that is where restrictions appear. TCI’s policy is straightforward: the Department of Transportation prohibits the transport of household items with a vehicle while it is in transit. Any personal belongings left in the vehicle are shipped strictly at the owner’s risk. If extra weight makes your vehicle sit unusually low, the driver may ask you to remove items, or charge additionally. If you want the most predictable shipment, keep the vehicle empty. If you still need to pack a small amount, think in terms of what helps, not what fits. The goal is to keep the car easy to inspect and safe to load. TCI recommends removing all items. If you decide to load personal belongings, a common threshold is up to 100 lbs of luggage or personal items, packed discreetly so the driver’s view is not obstructed during loading and unloading. Items inside the vehicle are not insured, and no one can be held liable if something goes missing. You can request to place more than 100 lbs, but the price can change. The simplest rule is the safest rule: do not leave anything in the vehicle that would ruin your week if it vanished. Even when risk is low, consequences are high. If you pack anything at all, pack like someone who wants a fast inspection and a clean load. That mindset prevents delays. If your shipment involves a collector, vintage, or fully restored vehicle, the best move is an empty interior. It allows a pristine inspection and reduces the chance of interior scuffs. If you are choosing a protected method like enclosed auto transport, keeping the vehicle empty helps the entire process stay as controlled as the transport method itself. The inspection is the record that protects you and the carrier. Someone should be present at pickup and delivery to sign the Bill of Lading and confirm condition. If you see new damage on delivery, it must be noted immediately on the Bill of Lading. If you pack items, take one quick photo of the trunk after packing. You are not documenting every item. You are proving the load was discreet and reasonable. Personal items can change pricing for one reason: weight and clearance change loading safety. A low vehicle with a packed trunk can scrape on ramps. A vehicle that sits lower than normal may require extra care, extra time, or may not load safely. That is why TCI warns that if your vehicle is slammed to the ground because of extra weight, the driver may ask you to remove belongings or may charge additionally. TCI also notes that requesting more than the usual allowed amount can change the price. If you want a realistic price range before you decide whether to pack items or ship them separately, use TCI’s instant shipping cost calculator. It helps you compare routes and transport types quickly while your move dates are still flexible. People pack personal items for practical reasons. Here are common scenarios and the safest way to handle each one. The risk: Pickup delays when the vehicle is packed and the driver cannot inspect or load safely. Best move: One soft duffel in the trunk, cabin empty, total weight low. The risk: Visible items through rear windows can trigger refusal or rescheduling. Best move: Keep items below window level, secured, or do not pack at all. The risk: Overpacking turns an easy shipment into a weight and clearance problem. Best move: Clothes and bedding only, trunk-only, nothing valuable. The risk: Packing valuables because you want a quick setup after landing. Best move: A small, low-risk arrival kit only. No electronics, no documents. The risk: Older leather, vinyl, trim, and weather seals can scuff or compress from hard boxes and shifting loads. Best move: Keep the interior 100% empty for a pristine inspection and consider a protected method like antique vehicle shipping or enclosed auto transport. Most carriers prefer the vehicle empty. If limited items are approved, keep it light, discreet, and trunk-only. Personal belongings left in the vehicle are shipped at the owner’s risk. TCI notes that DOT prohibits transporting household items with a vehicle while it is in transit. If you choose to load personal items, a common limit is up to 100 lbs packed discreetly. If extra weight makes the vehicle sit unusually low, the driver may ask you to remove items or may charge additionally. No. Items placed inside the vehicle during transport are not insured and carriers do not accept liability for them. It can. Extra weight can affect loading and may trigger an updated carrier fee. If you expect to pack anything, mention it at booking. Soft items in the trunk, below window level, secured so they do not move. Keep the cabin clear for inspection and loading. If you keep the shipment vehicle-first, not storage-first, everything gets easier. You reduce delays, protect your interior, and avoid the pickup-day scramble that turns a simple plan into a stressful one. For transport options, you can also review TCI’s shipping services and choose the method that matches your vehicle and risk tolerance.2026 Guide to Rules, Weight Limits & Costs
One-minute answer
Driver’s tip
Why shipping with personal items gets complicated
What is typically allowed in practice
TCI guidance you can plan around
Allowed vs. likely to cause problems
Usually acceptable if approved
Common reasons for refusal or delay
What you should never pack
How to pack so pickup goes smoothly
Pack trunk-first, keep it low, keep it quiet
Special note for high-value vehicles
Inspection, photos, and the Bill of Lading
Photo routine that actually helps
How personal items affect cost and loading
When personal items backfire
Free quote and faster planning
Real-world scenarios (including classic cars)
Scenario 1: Cross-country move with tight timing
Scenario 2: Shipping an SUV with an open cargo area
Scenario 3: Student move with soft items only
Scenario 4: Flying to delivery and wanting essentials on arrival
Scenario 5: Shipping a vintage or classic car
FAQ
Can I ship my car with personal items inside?
How much stuff can I put in my vehicle?
Are items inside the vehicle insured?
Will packing items change my quote?
What is the safest way to pack if I must?
Pickup-day checklist
