Know who you are hiring
Moving company vs. broker: who does what?
An interstate mover transports your household goods and assumes responsibility for the transportation. A household-goods broker arranges transportation with an authorized mover but is not authorized to transport the shipment itself. Both roles can be legitimate, but they create different relationships and records to verify.
The difference at a glance
| Question | Mover | Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Primary role | Transports the shipment and assumes responsibility for that transportation. | Arranges transportation with an FMCSA-authorized household-goods motor carrier. |
| Federal registration | Must have a U.S. DOT number and active authority for interstate household-goods transportation. | Must be registered with FMCSA as a household-goods broker. |
| Estimate basis | Uses its own published tariff. | May estimate on a carrier's behalf under a written agreement and must use that carrier's published tariff. |
| What to identify | The legal or trade name and U.S. DOT number of the carrier transporting the shipment. | The broker's name and numbers, broker status, and the authorized carriers it uses. |
FMCSA's current consumer guidance describes these roles and directs consumers to verify the registration and complaint information for both. Source: FMCSA Movers vs. Brokers.
What an interstate broker must disclose
Under 49 CFR Part 371, Subpart B, a household-goods broker's advertising and website must prominently display its physical business location, U.S. DOT and MC numbers, and its status as a broker that arranges transportation rather than transports the goods. A broker that provides estimates on a carrier's behalf must also explain that the estimate is based on the carrier's tariff. Source: 49 CFR §§ 371.107 and 371.113.
Carrier list
The broker must give each potential individual shipper a list of all authorized household-goods carriers it uses, including their U.S. DOT and MC numbers. It must also state that it is arranging transportation, not acting as the authorized motor carrier. Source: 49 CFR § 371.109.
Written carrier agreement
Before providing an estimate on a carrier's behalf, the broker must have the required signed written agreement with that carrier. The agreement must say that the estimate is exclusively on behalf of the named carrier and based on its published tariff. Source: 49 CFR § 371.115.
Policies and consumer information
The broker must prominently disclose its cancellation, deposit, and refund policies online and in agreements. It must also provide the required federal consumer information through the methods specified in the regulation. Source: 49 CFR §§ 371.111 and 371.117.
A broker's estimate is still tied to a carrier
A broker may provide a written estimate only within the federal framework: an authorized carrier performs the physical survey, unless the shipper signs a written waiver before loading; the estimate is based on that carrier's tariff; and the broker and carrier have the required written agreement. Source: 49 CFR § 371.113.
When a carrier adopts the broker's estimate under the written agreement, the carrier must treat it as its own estimate and comply with Part 375's estimate requirements. Source: 49 CFR § 375.409.
The key question is not “Did I speak with a salesperson?”
Ask which legal entity is the broker, which legal entity is the carrier, whose tariff supports the estimate, and whose U.S. DOT number should appear on the truck and transportation documents. A brand name alone does not answer those questions.
Worked example: direct mover vs. broker-arranged move
These fictional offers show what must be aligned before comparing price:
Offer A: direct mover
Carrier A performs a virtual survey, issues its own written estimate for $5,200, and appears in FMCSA's database with active interstate household-goods authority. Carrier A's legal name and U.S. DOT number appear on the estimate.
Offer B: broker-arranged
Broker B issues a $4,900 written estimate on Carrier C's behalf after Carrier C's survey. The document identifies both companies, uses Carrier C's tariff, and Broker B supplies its carrier list plus written deposit and refund terms.
Offer B is not automatically worse because a broker arranged it, and Offer A is not automatically safer because it is direct. Compare the same inventory, services, estimate type, liability option, schedule, payment terms, authority status, and complaint information. For Offer B, also verify both Broker B and Carrier C and confirm which company holds each payment.
Verify the company before you pay or sign
- Search the business name and every U.S. DOT or MC number in FMCSA's mover database.
- Confirm whether the record identifies a carrier, broker, freight forwarder, or another role.
- Match the record's name, address, phone, and authority status to the estimate and website.
- If a broker is involved, obtain its carrier list and identify the carrier named for your estimate.
- Ask whose tariff supports the price and who will take possession of the goods.
- Save the estimate, carrier list, cancellation policy, deposit receipt, and all revisions.
FMCSA's search results can show headquarters, contact information, registration status, business type, complaint information, and safety information. Source: FMCSA Search for a Registered Mover.
Questions to ask in writing
- Are you acting as the motor carrier or as a household-goods broker for this shipment?
- What are the legal names, U.S. DOT numbers, and MC numbers for every company involved?
- Which carrier conducted or will conduct the physical survey?
- Whose tariff and authority support this estimate?
- Who receives my deposit, and what are the cancellation and refund terms?
- Who handles pickup, delivery, claims, schedule changes, and disputed charges?