A Brief Glossary

Moving companies, like any sector with specific services or products, tend to use terms, abbreviations and acronyms daily. Sometimes these terms creep into general usage, and add to the confusion of process already viewed by its customer as chaotic. It's not a deliberate intention, and I have compiled a short list of common terms you will likely hear (or read) at some point in a move. If still unclear, please drop me a line.
Accessorial services Services like packing, servicing appliances, crating, stair carries, piano or bulky article items. Often accompanied by additional charges.
Agent A local moving company acting for a national company.
Your contact with the mover. It is your receipt, and also outlines liabilities.
Bulky article Oversized or specialty items (cars, boats, campers, etc.) Often an additional charge to move.
Carrier The moving company you have hired.
Claim Any loss or damage to your goods or property while in the move process.
C.O.D. Cash on delivery. Payment prior to delivery is required. Most movers don't accept personal checks.
CP Carrier packed. Goods packed into cartons by your movers.
Estimate An onsite (or rarely, telephone) survey of your home and goods by the mover to determine weight, space needs, and cost of moving your goods.
Gross Weight The weight of the moving truck loaded with your goods.
Inventory a detailed list of all your goods, created by the mover. The list also describes the condition of your goods.
Linehaul charges The baseline charge for your move. The weight of your goods, plus the miles from house to house determine the basic move cost. This pricing applies only to long distance moves. (See next item.) Additional charges apply.
Local move A move from house to house under 100 miles, within the same state. (Usually charged by the hour.)Long distance moves are over 100 miles, or from one state to another.
Long carry charge The further your house from the movung truck, the more the charge. (the first 75 feet are free.)
Order for Service Document that authorises the movers to relocate you.
Overflow Items loaded on second moving van because the first was full.
PBO Packed by owner. Boxes packed by you, not the movers.
Road van A long haul tractor trailer that moves goods cross country.
Shipper That's you, the customer being moved.
Shuttle The use of a smaller truck transporting your goods to the road van. (Done when house is inaccessible to the larger vehicle.)
Storage in Transit (SIT) When your goods are stored in a warehouse temporarily (Up to 180 days). Separate charges apply.
Straight Truck A truck smaller than a tractor trailer. (So called because, unlike a tractor-trailer, it does not "bend" in the middle.)
Tare Weight The empty weight of the moving truck, prior to loading your goods.
Tariff The movers rates and charges for services performed during your move.
Valuation The declared amount your goods are worth. Determined by you, it establishes the movers maximum liability for loss or damage to your goods.
I hope these have helped. As with any profession, ther are many more phrases and words used internally. If you see something not on the list, email me...I'll add it!