Do not send cash, jewellery, passports, NRIC or FIN cards, medication, personal documents, pets, perishable food, hazardous or flammable items, open liquids, gas cylinders, illegal items, or fragile valuables that have not been properly packed and declared. Keep important personal items with you and tell movers early about fragile, heavy or risky items.
Items You Should Carry Yourself
Small valuables are easy to misplace during a busy move. Keep them in your own bag.
Carry passports, NRIC or FIN cards, property papers, bank documents, insurance and school records yourself.
Keep daily medication, medical devices and urgent prescriptions with you, especially during long moving days.
Movers can move packed electronics, but sensitive work devices and data drives are safer with you.
Family photos, heirlooms, certificates and irreplaceable keepsakes should not be mixed with normal boxes.
Keep house keys, gate remotes, condo access cards and office passes with the person coordinating the move.
Items Movers Should Not Take in a Normal Move
| Item Type | Why It Is Risky | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids, petrol, paint thinner, solvents | Fire and leakage risk in the lorry. | Do not pack with movers. Dispose or handle separately according to safety advice. |
| Gas cylinders and compressed gas | Pressure and fire risk, especially during heat or impact. | Ask the supplier or relevant service provider about safe handling. |
| Strong chemicals, pesticides, corrosive cleaners | Can leak, damage other items or create safety risks. | Keep separate and do not mix into moving boxes. |
| Open bottles, sauces, oils and liquids | Leakage can damage cartons, furniture and the lorry. | Use sealed containers or move them yourself in a separate tray. |
| Perishable food | Can spoil during waiting time, heat or delays. | Finish, donate or transport separately in a cooler bag. |
| Pets or live animals | Not suitable for a moving lorry and unsafe during loading. | Transport pets yourself or use a proper pet transport arrangement. |
Items That Need Special Packing Before Movers Touch Them
Some items are not banned, but they should not be handed to movers loosely. Tell the mover first, send photos and ask whether special wrapping, dismantling or extra manpower is needed.
- Glass cabinets, mirrors, marble tables, TV screens and framed artwork.
- Antiques, display decor, fragile collectibles and musical instruments.
- Large wardrobes, bed frames, heavy cabinets and items needing dismantling.
- Sharp items such as knives, tools, metal racks or garden equipment.
- Loose kitchenware, plates and fragile decor that should be packed in proper boxes.
For these items, read the fragile item packing guide, compare packing services Singapore, or use movers and packers Singapore if you need help packing properly.
What to Tell Movers Before the Quote
The quote is more accurate when the mover knows what must be carried, packed, excluded, disposed or stored. Before confirming, send photos through the item photos moving quote guide and mention:
- Fragile items, glass, marble, TV, mirror or display cabinet.
- Heavy items, bulky furniture or items needing dismantling.
- Items you want moved to storage services Singapore.
- Items you want removed through disposal services Singapore.
- Items you will carry yourself, such as valuables, documents and medication.
Why This Matters for Moving Cost
When risky items are discovered only on moving day, the job may take longer or need different handling. That can create confusion around extra charges. Read moving hidden costs Singapore and red flags with movers before comparing quotes only by price.
For ordinary house moving, start from movers Singapore, house movers Singapore, HDB movers Singapore, condo movers Singapore or office movers Singapore depending on your move type.
Simple Moving-Day Carry-With-You Bag
Prepare one bag or small suitcase that never goes into the moving lorry. Include:
- Wallet, cash, cards, passport, NRIC or FIN card.
- Medication, glasses, chargers and important keys.
- Phone, laptop, data drives and urgent work files.
- New home keys, condo access card and lift booking details.
- Moving quote confirmation and mover contact number.
For broader planning, use the moving day checklist Singapore, moving out checklist Singapore and questions to ask movers.
FAQ: What Not to Send With Movers
What should you not send with movers?
Do not send cash, jewellery, passports, identity cards, medication, personal documents, pets, perishable food, hazardous or flammable items, open liquids, gas cylinders, illegal items or fragile valuables that have not been properly packed or declared.
Should I keep valuables with me during a move?
Yes. Keep cash, jewellery, watches, small electronics, passports, identity cards, bank documents, property documents and sentimental items with you instead of placing them in the moving lorry.
Can movers take chemicals, paint or flammable items?
Do not place hazardous, flammable, corrosive or explosive items with movers. This includes petrol, solvents, paint thinner, fireworks, some aerosols, gas cylinders and strong chemicals. Ask the mover before moving anything risky.
Can I send food and plants with movers?
Avoid sending perishable food, open liquids and delicate plants unless agreed in advance. Food can leak or spoil, and plants can be damaged by heat, stacking, long waiting time or condo/office access delays.
What documents should I carry myself?
Carry passports, NRIC or FIN cards, birth certificates, bank documents, property documents, insurance papers, medical records, school documents and any urgent work files yourself.
What should I tell movers before moving fragile items?
Tell movers about fragile items before the quote is confirmed. Send photos of glass, mirrors, marble, TV, antiques, display cabinets, musical instruments and decor so the team can advise packing, wrapping or special handling.