How to Properly and Safely Package Items when Transporting a Car with Personal Items

Although it is not recommended, car transport businesses may allow you to transport personal items with your car whilst it is in transit. If you choose to transport personal items with your car, we have collated some tips and to-do’s to make sure you have packaged all of your items appropriately according to the guidelines. Please note 'goods in car' is often an additional service so may incur extra costs.

Items must be under the windows

There are two main reasons why the personal items you pack need to be under the height of the car windows.

1. The transporter’s safety: the driver who is transporting your items needs to be able to see clearly out of all windows so they can drive your vehicle on and off the truck. 
2. To prevent theft: Car transporters often make several stops at rest areas along their routes. If your vehicle is packed full of visible items, it can become an easy target for opportunistic thieves. Even if the items aren’t valuable, leaving them in plain sight increases the risk of a break-in. By packing items below the window line, you reduce visibility, which significantly lowers the chance of theft.

If your transporter shows up and your vehicle is packed to the brim with personal items that are beyond the window line, they may refuse to take your vehicle for liability and safety reasons. They may also charge you additional fees if this is a breach of their quote terms or any contracts you may have signed after booking regarding the transport of personal items within your vehicle. 

Think about any potential damages

When transporting your car on a truck, it may sit above or below other vehicles, experiencing vibrations and shifts along the way. Make sure that any items inside are packed securely to prevent them from moving around and potentially causing damage to your vehicle's interior. Keep in mind that damage caused by unsecured items, or from the added weight, is often not covered by insurance. Any personal belongings you pack are at your own risk, not the responsibility of the transport provider.

If you do choose to pack items in your car, perhaps opt for non-valuable, easily replaceable items. If something is highly valuable or sentimental and would be difficult to replace, it’s strongly recommended that you don’t ship it with your vehicle. You can instead get it transported separately and purchase goods in transit insurance for the item.

A recommended way of making sure all personal items are secure and not going to cause internal damage to your car is by packing all of the items in suitcases, duffle bags, or boxes.

Common items that are typically not permitted in the vehicle include:

• Heavy machinery or heavy car parts
• Perishable food items or plants
• Dangerous goods including, but not limited to: weapons, firearms, ammunition, flammable liquids, gases, or illegal items

Other usual stipulations regarding goods in the car include:

• Goods must not be stored in ute trays or the front passenger seat (if the vehicle is a cab chassis, then you cannot store any personal items within the car at any time). Exceptions can be made if the ute has a lockable lid.
• No items in the front passenger seat or the footwell behind the driver’s seat
• No windows can be obstructed in any way
• Due to strict quarantine rules in Western Australia, many transport providers do not allow personal items in vehicles for movements inbound to Western Australia. Please double check with your carrier before booking.

While it is understood that sometimes there is no choice but to ship personal items with your vehicle, it is important to know why it is discouraged by many companies, and the risks involved.