Quick answer: Yes, most car carriers let you leave up to about 100 pounds of personal items in the trunk, kept below the window line. Those items are not covered by the carrier’s insurance, and valuables, hazardous materials and anything loose in the cabin must come out. Before pickup, also remove toll tags, parking passes and any aftermarket parts that are not securely bolted on.
The empty space in your car looks like free moving space, and many people ask whether they can fill it. You can use some of it, but there are clear limits. Auto transport companies set rules to protect your car, the other cars on the truck and the driver. Ignore them and you risk extra fees, delays or a refused pickup. This guide covers what you can pack, what is banned, what to take out before pickup and how to pack safely.
Can You Put Stuff in Your Car When Shipping It?
Yes, within limits. Most carriers follow the same rule: up to about 100 pounds of personal items, in the trunk or rear cargo area, below the window line. That is roughly one or two large suitcases. It is an industry standard rather than a law, and some carriers allow less or nothing at all, so always confirm with your shipper first.
Why the 100-Pound Limit Exists
- Licensing: car carriers are licensed to move vehicles, not household goods. Moving companies need a different license to carry your belongings.
- Insurance: the carrier’s cargo insurance covers the car itself, not what is inside it. Lost or damaged items are not reimbursed.
- Weight: trucks must stay within federal and state weight limits. Every extra pound in every car adds up, and an overweight truck can be fined.
- Safety: loose items shift on the road and can damage your interior or break a window from the inside.
- Inspection: the driver needs to see the car’s interior and condition at pickup and delivery.
Allowed vs Not Allowed: Quick Guide
| Item | Allowed? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes, bedding, towels | Yes, in the trunk | Light, soft and unlikely to cause damage |
| Books and small boxed items | Yes, in the trunk | Fine if packed in a sealed box |
| Spare tire, jack, factory tool kit | Yes | Part of the car’s standard equipment |
| Child car seats | No, take them out | Loose objects in transit, and not insured |
| Laptops, jewelry, cash, documents | No | Not insured and at risk of theft |
| Toll tags and parking passes | No | You can be billed or ticketed along the route |
| Firearms, ammunition, fuel cans, propane, aerosols | No | Hazardous; the pickup can be refused |
| Food, plants, liquids | No | Can spoil, leak or attract pests |
| Anything above the window line | No | Blocks the driver’s view when loading |
What You Can Leave in Your Car
As long as you stay under the weight limit and keep things in the trunk or under a cargo cover, these are usually fine:
- Clothing and bedding: clothes, towels, blankets and pillows are light and will not cause damage if they shift.
- Books and paperwork you can replace: pack them in a sealed box.
- Small kitchen items: pots, pans and utensils, wrapped and boxed.
- Standard car equipment: the spare tire, jack and factory tool kit in their usual places.
Nothing should sit on the seats or above the window line. The driver needs a clear view when driving your car on and off the truck.
What You Cannot Pack
These items are not allowed at any weight. Packing them can mean your car is not picked up or you pay extra.
- Valuables: jewelry, laptops, tablets, cameras, cash, passports and vehicle titles. They are not insured and are at risk of theft.
- Hazardous materials: firearms, ammunition, fireworks, fuel cans, propane tanks, paint, chemicals and aerosols.
- Food and plants: they can spoil or attract pests over a long trip.
- Liquids: drinks, cleaning products and anything else that could leak.
- Illegal items: drugs and anything else that is unlawful to carry.
- Pets: never leave an animal in a car being shipped. It is unsafe and carriers do not allow it.
- Medication and sentimental items: carry these with you.
The simple rule: if it is valuable, dangerous, fragile or illegal, keep it out of the car.
What to Remove From Your Car Before Shipping
Even if you are not packing anything, a few everyday items need to come out before the driver arrives.
Electronics and Personal Items
Take out GPS units, dash cams, radar detectors, chargers, sunglasses, wallets, spare keys and gym bags. Check the glove box, door pockets and center console.
Toll Tags and Transponders
Remove E-ZPass, SunPass and other toll transponders. The truck passes through toll plazas, and a tag left in your car can bill your account for the driver’s tolls.
Garage Door Openers
Take any opener off the visor or out of the console. If your car sits in a lot during a delay, an opener inside is a security risk for your home.
Parking Passes and Original Documents
Remove parking permits from the windshield or mirror, since they can cause problems where the car is delivered. Keep your original registration and insurance papers. If your carrier asks for copies in the car, leave copies only.
Child Car Seats
Car seats are made to protect passengers in a moving car, not to ride loose on a truck. Take them out and bring them separately.
Loose Items in the Cabin and Trunk
Umbrellas, folding chairs, sports gear, loose floor mats, coins in the cup holders and anything hanging from the mirror can rattle, fall or scratch the interior. A good test: if it would slide or fall when you brake hard, take it out.
Do You Need to Remove Aftermarket Parts Before Shipping?
Yes, if they are not securely bolted on. Loose aftermarket parts can be damaged on the road, can damage other cars on the truck, and are not covered by the carrier’s insurance. Remove:
- Roof racks and crossbars
- Bike racks, ski racks and cargo boxes
- Spoilers, light bars or body pieces that are held on with clips or adhesive
- Antennas that stick out above the roof
- Loose trim and custom body kit pieces
Factory-installed parts that are bolted on can stay. For trucks and SUVs, tell your shipper about lift kits, oversized tires or anything that changes the vehicle’s height or width, since it can affect which spot on the trailer your vehicle can use. If you are not sure whether a part is secure enough, ask your shipper before pickup day.
How to Pack Items in Your Car Safely
If you do pack a few things, follow these rules:
- Use the trunk. In an SUV or hatchback, use the area behind the rear seats under the cargo cover.
- Stay below the window line. The driver must be able to see out of every window.
- Keep the front empty. Nothing on the front seats or the front floor.
- Contain everything. Use soft bags or well-taped boxes so nothing rolls or slides.
- Stay under the limit. If in doubt, weigh your bags. Extra weight can bring a surcharge.
- Tell the shipper. Say what you are packing when you book, so there are no surprises at pickup.
Prep Checklist for the Day Before Pickup
- Remove valuables, electronics and documents from the cabin, trunk and glove box.
- Take out toll tags, parking passes and garage door openers.
- Run the fuel down to about a quarter tank.
- Remove racks and any loose aftermarket parts.
- Wash the car and photograph every panel, the wheels and the odometer.
- Disable the alarm, or write clear instructions for the driver.
- Fold in the mirrors and have a set of keys ready for the driver.
For the full list, see our 10-step car shipping checklist. At pickup, walk around the car with the driver and agree on its condition; our guide on how to inspect your car at pickup shows what to look for.
Insurance and Your Belongings
The carrier’s insurance protects the car, not what is inside it. If items in your trunk are lost or damaged, the carrier will not pay for them, and damage caused by loose items is not covered either. Your homeowners or renters policy may cover personal belongings away from home, so check with your insurer if you plan to pack anything you would miss. For anything valuable or irreplaceable, the safest choice is to carry it with you or send it with your household movers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you ship your car with stuff in it?
Yes, within limits. Most carriers allow up to about 100 pounds of personal items, kept in the trunk and below the window line. It is a courtesy, not an insured service.
Can you pack your car when you ship it across the country?
The same 100-pound guideline applies on long routes, and carriers often enforce it more strictly because every pound counts against the truck’s weight limit.
Can I put boxes in my car when shipping it?
A small number of sealed boxes in the trunk is usually fine if the total stays under about 100 pounds. Boxes should not sit on the seats or be stacked above the window line.
Is anything you pack in the car insured during transport?
No. Carrier cargo insurance covers the vehicle itself, not the belongings inside it. Anything valuable, fragile or irreplaceable should travel with you.
What are you not allowed to pack in a car during shipping?
Firearms, ammunition, flammables, propane and other pressurized containers, alcohol, plants, food, cash and important documents are not allowed. Carriers can refuse the car or remove the items at pickup.
Do I need to remove aftermarket parts before shipping?
Remove anything that is not factory-fitted and securely bolted on, such as roof racks, bike racks, spoilers, light bars and adhesive trim. Loose parts are not covered by the carrier’s insurance.
Should I take my toll tag out before shipping?
Yes. The truck passes through toll plazas, and a tag left in the car can bill your account for tolls along the route.
Can I leave my spare tire and jack in the trunk?
Yes. Factory spare tires and jacks stored in their usual places are part of the car’s standard equipment and can stay.
Will the carrier check my car for personal items?
Most drivers look inside during the pickup inspection, but they do not search the car. It is up to you to make sure it is clear of banned items before pickup.
Ready to Ship Your Car?
ABC Auto Shipping matches your car with a licensed, insured carrier. Ask us what you can leave inside when you book. Get a free quote today. There is no deposit to book.
