Household Goods Carriers

Transportation of household goods means moving people’s household items for pay on public roads in Washington state. This includes advertising, giving cost estimates, planning pick-up and delivery, short-term storage, handling items, and offering any extra services related to the move. 

Household goods carriers regulated by the Utilities and Transportation Commission can be found using the companies lookup web page. If you suspect a company is operating without a permit, visit the Report Suspected Non-Permitted Transportation Carriers web page. 

How to Apply for or Update a Permit 

1. Download the appropriate form.

2. Save it to your desktop.  

3. Fill it out.   

4. Submit the form online using the e-filing portal.  

5. Pay your fee online using the Make a Payment Now web page.  

Submitted applications are usually processed the same day. A complete application has a 30-day minimum wait period prior to granting provisional authority. 

If you cannot e-file, email the form to transportation@utc.wa.gov. 

Permit Application Forms 

• Household Goods Carrier - Permit application (PDF)  

• Household Goods Carrier - Attachment A –Statement of Support (PDF) 

• Household Goods Carrier - Name change (PDF)  

• Household Goods Carrier – Joint Application for Transfer (PDF) 

How to Cancel a Permit   

Click here to cancel online 

or 

Use the Voluntary Permit Cancellation Request (PDF) to cancel a permit.

Insurance 

• Intrastate Motor Carrier Insurance Requirements  

• Form E Sample (PDF) 

• Form H Sample (PDF)  

• Electronic Insurance Filings  

Safety 

The Motor Carrier Safety Program provides safety oversight over private companies that provide transportation services in Washington.

Tariffs 

Current Tariff 15-C 

The current Tariff 15-C (PDF) establishes the rates, terms, and conditions for the transportation of household goods between points in the state of Washington. 

How to File Individual Tariffs 

How to File Individual Tariffs for the Transportation of Pianos, Keyboards, and Organs in the State of Washington (Word) 

Carriers who want to use different minimums than those in Tariff 15-C must fill out and send in the Alternate Time Recording Form. Your alternate choices cannot be more than what Tariff 15-C allows. They can only be lower. Your new choices start five business days after you submit the form.  

1. Go to the e-filing portal.   

2. Fill out the form.  

3. Filing type is Other.   

4. Docket number is 230500.  

5. Upload the completed Alternate Time Recording Form (PDF) to the attachments section. If you fill out all company fields on the Alternate Time Recording Form, you do not need a cover letter.  

6. Submit the form. 

Training 

The commission offers free training for household goods moving companies. Each person named in the carrier's application must attend the course before receiving a household goods permit. Participants can choose to take either live virtual training or online self-paced training to meet this requirement. For more details, visit the Household Goods Industry Training web page.  

Consumer Moving Guides 

Household goods carriers must give their customers a Consumer Moving Guide. You can find this guide in several languages on the Consumer Publications web page. 

Annual Reports  

State law says transportation companies must file yearly reports and pay fees to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. If you operated at any time during the year, you must file a report. For more details, visit the Annual Report Forms web page. 

Resources for Movers 

• Bill of Lading - Sample  

• Cube sheet (Table of Measurements) 

• Cube Sheet - Sample  

• Estimated Cost of Services - Sample 

• Mover News - Industry Newsletter 

Contact Us 

For application process and insurance questions: 

Email transportation@utc.wa.gov 

Call (360) 664-1222 

For tariff and rule questions: 

Email householdgoods@utc.wa.gov 

Mailing Address:  

Utilities and Transportation Commission  
P.O. Box 47250  
Olympia, WA 98504-7250