Usually a little, and sometimes nothing at all. Many car shipping companies let you leave a small amount of soft, light belongings in the trunk, often up to about 100 pounds, as long as nothing sits on the seats or above the window line. Some carriers allow nothing, and the ships that carry cars to Hawaii won’t take a car with any personal items inside. Whatever you leave in the car travels at your own risk: the carrier’s insurance covers the car, not what’s in it. This guide explains what is usually allowed, what to take out, who makes the call and what to expect on pickup day.
Key findings
- There is no guaranteed allowance. The common “up to 100 pounds in the trunk” is a carrier policy, not a law. Each carrier sets its own rule, and some say no.
- Your belongings are not insured by the carrier. Its cargo insurance covers the vehicle only. If a bag is lost, stolen or broken, the carrier usually owes you nothing.
- Trunk only, below the window line. Seats, floors and the driver’s area stay empty.
- Never pack valuables, documents, electronics, liquids, food, weapons or anything flammable.
- Hawaii is stricter. The car must be empty except for parts installed in it, such as the spare tire and jack.
- The driver decides at pickup. An overpacked car can be refused, unloaded on the spot or charged extra.
PlayWhy most car shippers allow only a little, or nothing
A car carrier is not a moving company. It is set up, insured and paid to haul vehicles, and every restriction on belongings comes from that.
Weight
A full car hauler carries seven to nine vehicles and runs close to the federal limit of 80,000 pounds for most trucks. The driver plans the load around each car’s normal weight. A hundred pounds of extra stuff in every car on a nine-car load adds almost half a ton, enough to fail a weigh station and delay every customer on the truck.
Insurance
The carrier’s cargo insurance pays for damage to your car. It excludes personal belongings. The inspection report you sign at pickup, the bill of lading, records the condition of the car, not what is inside it, so if a bag goes missing there is no record it was ever there. Your homeowner’s or renter’s policy may cover belongings away from home; check your policy before you rely on it.
Theft and damage
Cars on an open trailer are visible from the road, and trucks stop overnight at truck stops and sometimes at terminals. A bag on the back seat invites a broken window. Loose items can also slide when the truck brakes and crack glass, scratch trim or damage the dashboard.
It isn’t a household move
Moving household goods is a separately licensed business with its own federal rules. Car haulers carry vehicles as freight, which is why many refuse a car that is packed like a moving truck.
What you can usually leave in the car
These are typical rules. The company you book with may be stricter, so treat this as a starting point, not a promise.
| Item | Usually allowed? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spare tire, jack, owner’s manual, floor mats | Yes | Factory equipment stays with the car |
| Child car seat, installed | Usually | Leave it buckled in, not loose |
| Soft bags or clothes in the trunk | Often, up to about 100 lb | Only with the carrier’s OK, below the window line |
| Boxes on the seats or floor | No | Visible, heavy and can shift |
| Laptops, tablets, cameras, other electronics | No | Top theft target and not covered |
| Cash, jewelry, passports, the car’s title, other documents | No | Not covered and hard to replace |
| Tools, car parts, exercise weights | No | Heavy, and they can break glass if they shift |
| Food, drinks and other liquids | No | Can spill, freeze, spoil or attract pests |
| Guns and ammunition | No | Most carriers refuse them, and laws differ by state |
| Gas cans, propane, aerosols, cleaning chemicals, spare batteries | Never | Flammable or hazardous on a truck |
| Plants and pets | Never | Not allowed on car carriers |
Who decides: the broker, the carrier or the driver?
Most bookings go through a broker, which then hands your car to a carrier. The broker can tell you its general policy, but the carrier that actually hauls the car sets the real rule, and the driver applies it at pickup. Broker or carrier: who you’re actually hiring explains how that hand-off works.
So ask twice: when you book, and again once the carrier is assigned. Get the answer in writing, in an email or on the dispatch confirmation, including how many pounds are allowed and where the items must go.
What happens if the car is overpacked at pickup
The driver looks inside before loading. If the car holds more than agreed, expect one of three things: you are asked to unload on the spot, you pay an extra fee for the weight, or the driver leaves without your car. The last one hurts most: you lose your place on the truck and may wait days for another, and some companies’ terms let them keep the deposit when a pickup fails because of the customer.
Shipping to Hawaii: the car must be empty
Cars going to Hawaii travel by ship, and the ship lines check every vehicle at the port. They will not accept a car containing personal items. Only things installed in or part of the car can stay, such as the spare tire and jack, an installed infant car seat or a factory roof rack. Removable racks, tools and car covers must come out, and the fuel tank can be no more than a quarter full.
If the car reaches the port with belongings inside, the port can refuse it and you will have to rebook. For costs and timelines on that route, see shipping a car from San Diego to Hawaii.
How to ship your car with a few belongings, step by step
- Ask before you book. Do you allow personal items? How many pounds? Where must they go? Is there a fee?
- Confirm with the assigned carrier once dispatch happens, and keep the answer in writing.
- Pack light and soft: duffel bags and clothes in the trunk or cargo area, below the window line. No boxes on the seats.
- Take out valuables, documents, electronics, chargers, garage remotes and parking passes.
- Remove your toll tag. A transponder left in the car can be charged every time the truck drives through a toll lane.
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel. Enough to drive on and off the truck, without extra weight.
- Photograph the car from every side, plus whatever you leave in the trunk, before the driver arrives.
- Keep the driver’s seat, pedals, mirrors and windows clear so the driver can load the car safely.
- Check the truck at pickup (see the next section), and sign the bill of lading only after the inspection.
Our free car shipping checklist covers the rest of the preparation, including the inspection form.
At pickup: make sure it’s the real carrier
Fake car haulers are one of the scams to watch for right now. Someone posing as the assigned carrier, often using a real company’s name and USDOT number, loads the car and it never arrives. With your belongings inside, the loss is bigger.
Before you hand over the keys, compare the company name and USDOT number on the truck door and the driver’s paperwork with what your broker gave you, and check the number in our free FMCSA company lookup. If anything doesn’t match, don’t release the car until the broker confirms. More warning signs are in auto transport scams: the 7 plays and how to spot them.
Better ways to move your stuff
- Ship boxes separately with a ground parcel service. For a few boxes this often costs less than the risk of losing them.
- Use a moving container or a moving company for household goods. That is what they are licensed and insured for.
- Drive or tow it yourself. If you want the car and your things to arrive together, compare the cost in U-Haul car trailer vs car shipping.
- Shipping overseas? A container is the one option where belongings can travel with the car, declared to customs. See do cars fit in shipping containers.
Not sure whether you need open or enclosed transport? How should I ship my car? walks through it. Enclosed trailers protect the car from weather and road debris, but they don’t change the rules on belongings.
If something does go wrong with the car itself, here is what to do if your car is damaged during shipping.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put stuff in your car when shipping it?
Usually a little. Many carriers allow up to about 100 pounds of soft items in the trunk, below the window line, at your own risk. Some allow nothing, and ships to Hawaii require an empty car. Ask the company and confirm in writing.
How much weight can I leave in my car when shipping it?
About 100 pounds is the most common limit, but it is a carrier policy, not a law. Some carriers allow less, and some allow nothing.
Are my belongings insured during car shipping?
No. The carrier’s cargo insurance covers the car only. Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may cover personal property away from home, so check your policy.
Can I put boxes in my car when I ship it?
Not on the seats or floor. Some carriers accept a box or two in the trunk within the weight limit, but soft bags are safer because they don’t shift or crack glass.
Can I leave a child car seat in the car?
Usually yes, if it is installed and buckled in. Even the ship lines to Hawaii, which require an empty car, allow an installed infant car seat.
Does enclosed transport let me pack more?
No. Enclosed trailers protect the car from weather and debris, but the weight limit and the insurance exclusion are the same.
Can I ship my car full of stuff when I move?
No. Car carriers are not moving companies, and a packed car will likely be refused at pickup. Ship your belongings with a moving company, a moving container or a parcel service.
Should I remove my toll tag before shipping?
Yes. A transponder left in the car can be charged each time the truck passes through a toll lane. Put it in a signal-blocking bag or take it with you.