Planning a relocation to Greece, coordinating an international move, or managing a complex office relocation all come with their own vocabulary. Allied — The Careful Movers built this glossary using AMSA (American Moving & Storage Association) best practices to help you understand exactly what you’re agreeing to at every stage of the process.
Whether you’re booking local movers for a move within Athens, arranging a part-load removal to Greece, or scheduling storage-in-transit during a longer relocation, these terms will help you know what to expect.
Put These Terms Into Practice
Understanding this vocabulary makes it much easier to compare quotes, ask the right questions, and know exactly what you’re signing up for. For more guidance on planning your move, visit our full moving resources hub, or reach out to Allied Greece for a relocation consultant who can walk you through your options.
A–Z Glossary of Moving Terms
Accessorial (Additional) Services — Extra services such as packing, appliance handling, unpacking, or moving bulky items. These fall outside standard transport and are billed separately.
Advanced Charges — Fees for work done by third-party specialists, such as a piano tuner or crane operator, paid by your mover and added to your final invoice.
Agent — The local moving company representing a van line like Allied, responsible for booking, hauling, or handling origin and destination services.
AMSA Certified Mover — A moving company that meets AMSA’s Code of Conduct and operates under U.S. federal authority.
Appliance Service — Preparing appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators for safe transport.
Bill of Lading — Your official receipt and contract for the move. Review it carefully, since it governs the terms of your relocation.
Binding / Non-Binding Estimate — A binding estimate guarantees the total cost. A non-binding estimate is an approximation, with final charges depending on actual weight and services used.
Booking Agent — The mover or consultant who registers and coordinates your relocation, who may not be based in your origin or destination city.
Carrier — The moving company physically transporting your belongings.
Change Order — A document amending your original estimate due to a change in inventory or requested services.
C.O.D. — Payment required at the time of delivery, whether to a residence or a warehouse.
Destination Agent — Handles services at your destination, including delivery coordination and paperwork.
Estimate — An initial cost projection based on weight, distance, and any extra services.
Expedited Service — Premium transport with guaranteed pickup and delivery dates, usually at a higher rate.
Flight Charge — An added fee if movers need to carry items up or down flights of stairs.
Guaranteed Pickup and Delivery — A premium service where the mover commits to specific dates, with reimbursement offered for delays.
Hauling Agent — The agent supplying the truck and driver for your move.
High-Value Article — Items worth more than a set amount per pound, such as jewelry or fine art, which must be declared for full protection.
Inventory — A complete list of your goods, including condition and quantity.
Linehaul Charges — The main transport charge, not including extra services.
Long Carry — An added fee when movers must carry items an unusually long distance between the truck and your door.
Order for Service — Authorizes the mover to perform the agreed services. Review carefully before signing.
Order (Bill of Lading) Number — A unique ID assigned to your shipment for tracking purposes.
Origin Agent — Manages services like packing and documentation at the starting point of your move.
Peak Season Rates — Higher rates that apply during the busiest months for moving demand.
Pickup and Delivery Charges — Separate fees for transporting goods between your home and a storage facility.
Registration Number — Identifies your shipment in company records, found on your bill of lading and service order.
Relocation Consultant — Your main point of contact for estimates, questions, and guidance throughout the move.
Shuttle Service — Used when a full-size moving truck can’t access your location, so a smaller vehicle handles the transfer.
Storage-In-Transit (SIT) — Temporary storage of your goods before final delivery, which can last up to 90 days and includes extra handling fees.
Valuation — The assigned value of your shipment, which affects the mover’s liability and your protection level.
Van Foreman — The lead mover responsible for overseeing loading, transport, and unloading.
Warehouse Handling — The fee for storing your goods at a SIT facility, covering both placement and retrieval.