Does the 110% rule cap what I owe in total?

No. It caps what they can demand before unloading on a non-binding estimate. Lawful charges above that are billed later with at least 30 days to pay.

Does it apply to a local move?

No. 49 CFR 375 covers interstate household-goods moves. In-state moves follow state rules, which vary from a full tariff to nothing.

Can they refuse to unload if I pay 110%?

Not lawfully on a non-binding estimate. Holding goods for more than the rule allows is the hostage-load pattern. Call the FMCSA hotline and file with the NCCDB.

Outside a modest American clapboard house with a porch, deciduous trees and concrete curb.

Rights

The 110% rule on a US interstate move

On a non-binding estimate, an interstate mover cannot make you pay more than 110% of the estimate to get your goods off the truck. The rest is billed later, with at least 30 days to pay. That is 49 CFR 375.407. It is not a cap on the total.

Anthony BaleMoving industry professional, author and writerReviewed 29 September 2026

What the licensed review rows say. 31087 dated rows, as of 2026-10-29. Counted by phrase, not by sentiment.

Phrase family	Rows	Share of rows
Estimate changed, price went up, extra charges	1699	5%
Held our things, would not unload, hostage	732	2%

What 110% means at the door

Non-binding estimate of $4,000. The mover can demand up to $4,400 before unloading. Not $5,900. If the final lawful charges are higher, they bill the balance and must give you at least 30 days to pay it.

Binding estimate of $4,000. They can demand $4,000 at delivery, plus charges for services you asked for after the estimate was written. A binding number is not a number they can raise because the truck was heavier.

Either way, pay what the rule says and take delivery. Do not argue on the driveway with your sofa as the hostage. Photograph the bill of lading and every weight ticket first.

The two exceptions people miss

Impracticable operations. If the truck cannot reach the door and they need a shuttle or long carry that was not in the estimate, the mover can collect for that at delivery, capped at 15% of the other charges due at delivery. The rest of it is billed later.

Services you added. A new stop, packing you asked for on the day, a piano nobody mentioned. Those sit on top of the estimate and on top of the 110%.

Interstate only. This is a federal rule for moves between states. An in-state move follows your state's tariff, if it has one. Canada and the UK have no 110% rule at all.

What to do this week

Get the estimate in writing and read the first line: binding or non-binding. Use the quiz if the paper is vague.

Look up the USDOT and check for household-goods authority. Registered is not authorized.

On delivery day, have 110% in the payment form the estimate names. Cash-only was a tell you should have caught earlier.

Official doors

Where to take a complaint

Booklet
Interstate movers must give Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move. We link it. We do not rehost it as ours.
Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move (PDF)
Lookup
SAFER company snapshot. Registered is not the same as authorized to haul household goods.
FMCSA SAFER company snapshot
Complain
Protect Your Move. Photograph the inventory first. Then the phone.
FMCSA Protect Your Move

Reviewed 29 September 2026 by Anthony Bale. Numbers on this page carry their own dates; the official pages below are the sources.

Sources

Links go to the publisher. Haulest does not add findings. Checked September 2026; if the live page moved, believe the agency.

Ask out loud

Questions people ask

Does the 110% rule cap what I owe in total?: No. It caps what they can demand before unloading on a non-binding estimate. Lawful charges above that are billed later with at least 30 days to pay.
Does it apply to a local move?: No. 49 CFR 375 covers interstate household-goods moves. In-state moves follow state rules, which vary from a full tariff to nothing.
Can they refuse to unload if I pay 110%?: Not lawfully on a non-binding estimate. Holding goods for more than the rule allows is the hostage-load pattern. Call the FMCSA hotline and file with the NCCDB.

Next steps

About Anthony Bale

A moving industry professional, author and writer. Anthony has been at different positions in the industry for the last 10 years, gaining significant knowledge on the relocation process. He himself has moved 6 times already, which helped him explore the other side of the moving process.

At Haulest he writes the US cost, hiring, and rights pages, reading the licensed review file every week so the numbers on the page are the numbers people reported.

All 61 pages by Anthony

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