Packing for a move can feel like an endless process, but before you tape up that final box, you need to know one crucial rule: not everything can go inside a moving truck. For safety, legal, and liability reasons, moving companies in Canada have strict guidelines on what they can and cannot transport. Whether you are moving locally in Calgary or across the country to Toronto, here is the ultimate guide to what professional movers can’t move — and what you should do with those items instead.
1. Hazardous Materials and Combustibles (The Absolute No-Gos)
This is the most critical category. Moving trucks get incredibly hot in the summer and freezing cold in the winter. The friction of the road combined with extreme temperatures can turn certain everyday household items into fire or explosion hazards.
Under Transport Canada’s Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations, movers are strictly prohibited from carrying hazardous materials.
Do NOT pack:
- Propane tanks (even if you think they are empty)
- Gasoline, motor oil, and antifreeze
- Aerosol cans (hairspray, spray paint)
- Paint, paint thinner, and solvents
- Pool chemicals and bleach
- Car batteries and lithium-ion batteries
- Fire extinguishers
- Any biohazard materials (items loose with blood, feces, pests, etc)
What to do instead: First, consider transporting small amounts of non-restricted items (like everyday cleaning supplies) in your personal vehicle. For your BBQ propane tanks, you have a couple of great options: give them to a neighbor, or return them to a local gas station or hardware store for a deposit refund (usually around $10 or more, just like returning empty bottles!). Finally, safely dispose of any remaining hazardous chemicals or restricted items at your local Community Recycling Centre (CRC) well before moving day.
2. Firearms and Ammunition
Due to strict federal laws and high liability, most professional moving companies (including Cactus Moving) have a strict policy against transporting firearms and ammunition.
Ammunition falls under explosive materials and is completely banned from moving trucks. While you can transport firearms yourself, you must strictly follow the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) regulations for transporting firearms.
- Non-restricted firearms must be unloaded.
- Restricted firearms must be unloaded, locked with a secure trigger lock, and transported in a locked, opaque container with an Authorization to Transport (ATT).
3. Plants and Perishable Food
Moving trucks are not climate-controlled in the back. Your beautiful Monstera or collection of orchids will not survive a cross-country trip in a dark, suffocating trailer.
Furthermore, if you are moving interprovincially, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) strictly regulates the movement of certain plants and soil to prevent the spread of invasive pests (like the Japanese beetle). As for food, perishable items (anything from the fridge or freezer, open bags of flour, produce) will spoil and can attract pests into the moving truck.
What to do instead: Eat it, donate unopened non-perishables to a local food bank, or pack a small cooler for your car. Transport your houseplants in the backseat of your personal vehicle where they can get AC and sunlight.
4. Irreplaceable & High-Value Items (Take These With You!)
When it comes to extremely valuable or sentimental items, it's important to separate them into two categories: small personal belongings and large furniture or electronics.
- Small Valuables (Take these with you!): While movers can legally move small high-value items, we strongly advise you to keep them in your personal possession. Moving companies provide valuation based on weight or declared value, but no insurance can replace sentimental worth. Keep important documents (passports, property deeds), financials (cash, crypto wallets), fine jewelry, and essential laptops with you. Pack them in a "VIP Bag" that goes in your personal vehicle.
- Large High-Value Furniture & Electronics (We can crate them!): If you have extremely valuable or sentimental bulky items—such as antique furniture, fragile family heirlooms, or high-end electronics—we absolutely can move them! To guarantee maximum protection, Cactus Moving can build custom wooden crates tailored exactly to the dimensions of your item. While custom crating is a standard requirement for overseas shipping, it is also highly recommended for long-distance moves across Canada to ensure your most precious items arrive in flawless condition.
Moving Smart with Cactus Moving
At Cactus Moving, our top priority is the safety of your belongings, our crew, and our trucks. By sorting out hazardous and restricted items before moving day, you help us ensure a smooth, efficient, and accident-free relocation.
If you’re ever unsure whether an item is safe to pack, just ask your moving coordinator! We are always here to help you navigate the logistics of your move.
