Frequently asked questions

No. We are an editorial publisher and a referral service. We are not a moving company, freight forwarder or broker. When you request quotes, we connect you with independently licensed, FMCSA-registered interstate movers. They are responsible for their own services, and you choose whether to hire anyone.

It depends on the route, the sailing schedule for sea shipments, whether your goods share a truck with other households, and the season. Moves out of Alaska generally take longer than moves within the Lower 48. Ask each mover for a written delivery window and what happens if they miss it.

For a summer move, start requesting quotes three months or more ahead, because summer is the busiest season. Winter moves can be easier to schedule but may face weather on the Alaska Highway or changes to sailing schedules. Either way, compare at least a few written estimates and check each mover's registration with FMCSA before booking.

Most vehicles go by sea between Alaska ports and the Tacoma or Seattle area, either inside a container or on a roll-on/roll-off vessel. You drop the vehicle at the port or with a shipper, then pick it up in Puget Sound or pay for truck delivery onward. Expect to need your title or lienholder authorization and ID. See our guide to shipping your car from Alaska.

Each traveler needs a passport or other accepted travel document, plus vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Canada strictly controls firearms: many handguns and some other weapons are prohibited, and any firearm you are allowed to bring must be declared at the border. Rules also cover cannabis, some foods and large amounts of cash. Check the Canada Border Services Agency and RCMP Canadian Firearms Program before you go.

Yes, but plan the paperwork. Driving through Canada, dogs and cats generally need a current rabies vaccination certificate under Canadian Food Inspection Agency rules, and dogs re-entering the U.S. must meet CDC dog import requirements. Flying has its own airline rules. Confirm current requirements with CFIA, CDC and your vet a few weeks before you leave.

Under federal rules for interstate household moves, a binding estimate fixes the price for the items and services it lists. A non-binding estimate is only the mover's best guess, and the final bill is based on actual weight and services. A binding not-to-exceed estimate caps the price but can come in lower. Get any estimate in writing and keep it.

Valuation is the mover's liability for loss or damage, not insurance. Interstate movers must offer Full Value Protection, under which they repair, replace or pay for damaged items, and a lower-cost Released Value option that pays only a small amount per pound per item. Read the choice carefully on your paperwork. FMCSA's Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move explains both.

Yes. Movers commonly offer storage-in-transit for a short gap between pickup and delivery, and longer-term storage if you need it. Each adds charges and extra handling. Ask who holds your goods, where, how they are insured during storage, and how much notice they need for delivery.

The Permanent Fund Dividend is for Alaska residents who intend to remain in Alaska. Leaving with the intent to live elsewhere generally affects eligibility for future dividends, and there are specific rules about absences. The Alaska Department of Revenue's PFD Division at pfd.alaska.gov is the authority; read its eligibility rules for your situation.