Can Movers Move Alcohol, Plants & TVs? (What's Allowed)
"Can you take the bar cart? The plants? The 75-inch TV?" — the three questions every NYC mover hears weekly. Here's the straight answer on what movers can move, what we can't, and what needs special handling.
Alcohol 🍷
Yes, for local moves — sealed and boxed wine or liquor rides fine within NYC. Use divided liquor-store boxes and tell the crew which boxes they are. For interstatemoves, alcohol gets complicated (state lines, licensing, temperature), so most movers decline it — transport a valuable collection yourself, climate-controlled. Open bottles: seal them or finish them at the goodbye party.
Plants 🌿
Locally, usually yes — but plants ride unboxed in the truck's last-on, first-off spot, and they're the one item movers can't insure (a truck is dark and hot/cold; a stressed fiddle-leaf fig is a coin flip). Many people move plants themselves in a car for that reason. Long-distance: most movers won't take them, and some states restrict incoming plants entirely.
TVs 📺
Yes — and please let us. Flat screens are the most commonly self-damaged item in DIY moves. The right way: original box if you kept it, a TV box with foam corners if not, moved upright, never flat. Crews do this daily. Just don't pack the remote in a mystery box.
The hard no list 🚫
- Propane tanks, gasoline, and anything flammable (grill tanks must be emptied or moved yourself)
- Aerosols, paint thinner, pool chemicals, fireworks
- Perishable food (pantry goods boxed are fine; the fridge contents are not)
- Cash, jewelry, passports, and irreplaceable documents — keep them on your person
- Pets (carrier in your car or a pet transport service — never the truck)
Needs special handling — say it at booking ⚠️
- Pianos and safes (weight + stairs = specialty crew)
- Art, mirrors, and glass tabletops (custom crating available)
- Peloton/exercise equipment (disassembly)
- Fish tanks (drained, livestock moved separately)
- AC window units (uninstalled before crew arrival, or ask us)
The rule of thumb: surprises on move day cost time; disclosures at booking cost nothing. Tell us about the piano, the 40 plants, or the wine fridge when you get your quote and the crew shows up ready. More packing specifics in our packing services.
FAQs
Will movers move alcohol?
For local NYC moves, yes — sealed bottles packed in divided boxes move fine. For interstate moves most movers decline alcohol due to state regulations; transport valuable collections yourself in climate control.
Can movers take houseplants?
Usually yes for local moves, loaded last and unloaded first — but plants can't be insured and trucks aren't climate-controlled, so many people carry plants in a car. Most long-distance movers won't take plants at all.
What items will movers not move?
Flammables (propane, gasoline, aerosols, paint thinner), perishable food, pets, and irreplaceables like cash, jewelry, and passports. Keep valuables and documents with you on move day.
Should I let movers move my TV?
Yes — flat screens are the most commonly damaged item in DIY moves. Movers pack them in TV boxes with corner protection and transport them upright. Keep the original box if you have it.