By Expert Removals – Dublin’s Sharpest Movers with the Softest Touch
Can Movers Take Everything?
We get this question so often, we’re considering adding it to our hold music. And it makes sense. When you’re surrounded by half-packed boxes, a half-eaten takeaway, and the haunting echo of “Where’s the kettle?”- you want to know what’s staying and what’s going.
So let’s cut through the bubble wrap and get brutally honest: no, movers can’t take everything.
Not because we’re picky. But because we don’t fancy catching fire, getting arrested, or becoming the subject of a viral news story titled “Moving Van Goes Boom Outside Tesco.”
Why Do Movers Refuse Certain Items?
The reasons are mostly threefold:
- Legal restrictions (yep, the boring-but-important law)
- Health & safety risks (flammable shampoo = bad)
- Insurance exclusions (our insurer says “NOPE” in bold, underlined)
We’re regulated. We’re careful. And we like our vehicles to stay intact. That’s why certain items – no matter how sentimental, expensive, or “not-that-dangerous-if-you-hold-it-right”- are off-limits.
What Are the Common Items Movers Can’t Move?
Here’s a table of the usual suspects. If any of these live in your attic, bathroom, or pet hamster’s cupboard, it’s time for a Plan B.
| Category | Examples | Why Movers Say No |
|---|---|---|
| Hazardous Materials | Paint, gasoline, lighter fluid, bleach | Highly flammable or corrosive |
| Perishables | Frozen foods, fresh produce, opened containers | Spoilage, leaks, smells that ruin your antique couch |
| Live Animals | Fish tanks, hamsters, parrots | Ethical & legal concerns, stress for the animals |
| Plants (sometimes) | Large indoor/outdoor plants | Pests, soil spillage, customs issues (long-distance) |
| Personal Valuables | Cash, jewellery, passports, deeds | Liability too high – you keep your treasures |
| Firearms & Ammo | Guns, bullets, fireworks | Legal implications, licensing, boom factor |
| Cleaning Supplies | Ammonia, drain cleaner, turpentine | Corrosive, explosive under pressure |
| Flammable Items | Candles, aerosols, nail polish remover | Tiny fire hazards in disguise |
What About Medications and Toiletries?
Short answer: Pack them yourself.
Long answer: Movers avoid handling medication – especially prescription drugs – because:
- There are regulations around controlled substances.
- Insurance does not cover them.
- You might need that Ventolin mid-move (we’re fast, but not that fast).
And as for toiletries like perfumes, aftershaves, or anything in an aerosol can – they’re usually on the flammable list.
Can I Sneak Things into a Box?
Ah, the cheeky question.
You can try.
But we pack, lift, stack, and load for a living. We can smell a “forbidden box” faster than a dog detects sausages at a picnic. If your box leaks, explodes, stinks, or burns a hole in the van’s upholstery, it’s a problem for everyone.
Why Does This Matter for You?
It’s not just about avoiding fires or fines. It’s about:
- Avoiding move delays (hazardous items get flagged, sometimes legally)
- Avoiding rejected loads (if we find them, we have to remove them)
- Avoiding damage to your other belongings (imagine nail polish on your mattress)
According to our internal data from 127 moves across Dublin in Q2 of this year, nearly 14% of customers included at least one restricted item in their load. That’s 1 in 7. And yes – most of them were shocked.
What Should You Do With the No-Go Items?
You’ve got three options:
- Move it yourself (in your car, carefully)
- Dispose of it properly (check your local council’s waste centre rules)
- Use specialist services (like for firearms, pets, or explosives – you’d be surprised how many people ask)
What If You’re Not Sure?
We offer a pre-move item check. You send us a quick photo or list of “maybe” items, and we give you a straight answer – no judgement.
Because no one wants to hear “We can’t take this” on moving day. Especially when the house is half-empty, and you’re arguing over whether the dog packed the kettle.
What Do Professional Movers Actually Care About?
We care about:
- Your safety
- Our crew’s safety
- Your items arriving intact
- Not starring in a viral disaster video
And we also care about giving you a calm, smooth, no-nonsense move that ends with a sigh of relief, not a fire extinguisher.
Final Word: The Rule of Thumb
If it can burn, explode, leak, die, melt, or send you to prison, movers probably can’t take it.
Movers Can’t Move These (And You Shouldn’t Want Them To):
- Petrol, bleach, paint, lighters
- Candles, aerosols, fireworks
- Fresh food, frozen meat, open wine
- Plants (big or pesty)
- Pets, fish tanks, parakeets
- Jewellery, passports, cash
- Medicines, nail polish remover, fireworks
Need help packing what can be moved?
Expert Removals doesn’t just show up with muscle and a van. We bring checklists, clear answers, and the kind of patience that only comes from years of dealing with panicked movers and their panicking goldfish.
Call us before you pack your houseplants and hair spray. We’ll thank you. So will your couch.