Notification of Delivery

When a long-distance move is en route, the mover is required by FMCSA regulation to contact the customer at least 24 hours before scheduled delivery, with the count excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. The notification gives the customer time to be present at the destination, arrange access, and prepare for the unload. Three federal exceptions waive the 24-hour rule: when the mover weighs the shipment at destination, when pickup and delivery span two consecutive weekdays (with customer agreement), or when the customer has agreed in advance to pay no more than 110% of the estimate at delivery.

The notification rule protects customers from a mover arriving unannounced at destination and either demanding access or holding the shipment in storage (at the customer's expense) if no one is home. Customers who don't know about this rule sometimes assume the mover will just "show up" and find a closed door — leading to redelivery fees and additional storage charges. Asking for the notification on the Bill of Lading at booking establishes the expectation in writing.

On every long-distance delivery, our dispatch contacts the customer the day before delivery with a confirmed time window. For multi-day deliveries with shifting routing, we send updates as the truck progresses. Customers always know when the truck will arrive — no surprise knocks, no missed-delivery storage fees.

Does the 24-hour notification apply to local moves?

The federal 24-hour rule technically applies to interstate moves under FMCSA jurisdiction, not in-state local moves. Most professional Texas movers extend the same courtesy on local moves — confirming the arrival window the day before — but the legal requirement applies to interstate.

What if I miss the delivery notification?

If you cannot accept delivery on the notified date, the mover may place your shipment in storage at your expense until you can receive it. To avoid this, communicate with the mover the moment you know you cannot be available — they will usually try to reschedule rather than store.

Does the 24 hours include weekends?

No — federal regulation excludes Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays from the 24-hour count. So a Friday-afternoon notification for a Monday delivery satisfies the rule because the weekend doesn't count toward the 24 hours.