22 July 2026 · 5 min read · The RayMovals Team
What Can and Can't Be Moved by a Removals Company
Most of what's in a typical home is straightforward for a removals team to transport. But a small number of items are either restricted for safety and insurance reasons, need special handling, or are simply better kept with you rather than in the van. Here's how it breaks down.
Items removal companies generally can't transport
- Gas bottles and canisters (including camping gas and patio heater cylinders)
- Flammable liquids — petrol, paraffin, solvents, some cleaning products
- Aerosols in large quantities
- Corrosive chemicals and pool chemicals
- Ammunition or firearms without the correct licensing arrangements
- Perishable or frozen food
These restrictions exist for safety and insurance reasons — a removals company's Goods in Transit cover typically excludes hazardous materials, and transporting them puts the whole load and the crew at risk.
Items that need special care (but can be moved)
| Item | What's needed |
|---|---|
| Pianos | Specialist equipment and trained handling — flag this when booking so the right crew and vehicle are arranged |
| Fine art and antiques | Individual wrapping, sometimes crating, and confirmation of cover for high-value items |
| Safes | Assessed for weight and access before moving day — some require specialist lifting equipment |
| Fish tanks (occupied) | Best drained and the fish transported separately in a suitable container |
| Large garden equipment (mowers, etc.) | Fuel drained before transport |
What you should move yourself
- Cash, jewellery and other small high-value items
- Important documents — passports, certificates, property paperwork
- Medication
- Pets — always transported by the owner, never in the removals van
- Anything irreplaceable and highly sentimental, where practical
Can removal companies move pianos?
Yes, with the right preparation — pianos are heavy, awkwardly balanced and need specialist handling and equipment, so it's important to mention this when you book rather than on the day, so the right crew size and equipment are arranged in advance.
What to do if you're not sure about an item
Ask before moving day. A good removals company would rather answer a question about an unusual item in advance than discover it on the morning of the move — it's a two-minute conversation that avoids a genuinely awkward situation on the day.
Got something unusual to move? Tell us the details and we'll confirm how we can help — get a free quote.
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