SC · In-state moves
South Carolina moving company rules
Movers that haul household goods for pay within South Carolina need a Class E certificate of public convenience and necessity, applied for through the Public Service Commission. The Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) oversees these movers' licensing, insurance, rates, charges and practices. Movers must file a tariff of maximum rates, and ORS Consumer Services takes complaints about in-state moves.
| In-state oversight | State license compare states |
|---|---|
| Regulator | South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff, Transportation Department (with the Public Service Commission) |
| License lookup | Class E (Household Goods) Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity lookup Search by: Download the Regulated Household Goods Carriers spreadsheet and search it by company name or certificate number. You can also ask the mover for its PSC/ORS certificate number and call ORS to verify it. |
| Business registration | South Carolina Secretary of State business entity search |
Estimates
No state rule on estimate types was found. ORS advises that a mover should visit, inspect your goods and make an inventory before quoting, and you can ask for the mover's approved tariff to check the rates on the estimate. Movers may not charge more than the maximum rates on file with the Commission, and overcharges must be credited or refunded.
Liability for loss or damage
A Class E mover's in-state valuation must meet at least the minimum standards in federal interstate rules. If a mover offers higher valuation options, it must give you their terms, conditions and prices. The uniform bill of lading includes a valuation section you complete and sign, and tariffs must state the mover's claim settlement time frames.
Insurance or bond
Class E movers must file liability insurance or a surety bond of at least $750,000 per incident for non-hazardous loads in vehicles of 10,000 pounds or more, or $500,000 for lighter vehicles. They must also carry cargo insurance or a cargo bond of at least $2,500 per vehicle and $5,000 per occurrence.
Where to complain
Other South Carolina rules to know
- A licensed mover's certificate number should appear on each side of its vehicles.
- ORS Consumer Services can tell you about a mover's complaint history before you hire.
- Movers must give you a completely filled-out bill of lading when the move is done; ask to see its valuation section before the move begins.
- Movers' annual reports are public records you can request through a Freedom of Information Act request.
- Damage to your home is handled as a claim under the mover's general liability policy, which is separate from cargo coverage.
Moving into or out of South Carolina? A move that crosses a state line follows federal rules instead. Check an interstate mover.
Sources
- Transportation (consumers) , South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff
- Transportation (regulated utilities) , South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff
- Class E (Household Goods) , South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff
- Regulated Household Goods Carriers (spreadsheet) , South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff
- Transportation FAQs , South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff
- S.C. Code of Regulations Chapter 103, Article 2 (Motor Vehicle Carriers) , South Carolina Legislature
- Resolve a Dispute / File a Complaint , South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff
- Business Entities: File and Search Online , South Carolina Secretary of State