Moving Broker vs. Carrier: Who Hauls the Goods
Tell a moving broker from a carrier on a written estimate. Match names and USDOT numbers, then check interstate companies on FMCSA SAFER.
Reviewed September 4, 2026 · General information, not legal adviceA carrier transports household goods. A broker arranges transportation. Do not assume the company that sent the estimate will operate the truck. Record the legal name, any doing-business-as name, the USDOT number, and any company named to haul the shipment. For an interstate move, match those details on FMCSA's official snapshot. Local rules vary by state.
The basic difference
A carrier transports household goods. A broker arranges transportation. Identify who sent the estimate and who is expected to transport the shipment. Neither role is a quality score.
What to find on the written estimate
- Legal business name and any doing-business-as name.
- USDOT number.
- Company named to transport the shipment, if stated.
How to use FMCSA’s official lookup
For an interstate household-goods company, use FMCSA's SAFER Company Snapshot to match the legal name and USDOT number. It is an identity and registration lookup, not a quality score or guarantee.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Are you the carrier that will transport this shipment, or a broker arranging it?
- What legal name and USDOT number will appear on the truck paperwork?
- If another company is named to transport the shipment, what is its legal name and USDOT number?
Interstate and local moves
The federal materials linked here apply to interstate household-goods moves. Local and in-state requirements vary by state. Educational information, not legal advice.