Of the 2,477 household-goods movers on record in New York, 942 (38%) have no federal interstate operating authority. They can only move you within New York. Nationally the share is 31.9% (12,031 of 37,681 movers on record), and New York ranks 14th of 51 on this measure. These figures come from MovePricer's analysis of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) licensing and insurance, revocation and out-of-service data, compiled October 17, 2026.
The same data show 416 household-goods carriers with a New York business address that hold active federal interstate authority. Counting household-goods brokers with active authority, the total is 450.
Why the state line matters
A mover that only does in-state work isn't doing anything wrong. New York licenses those companies itself. The Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection says all moving companies must be licensed in New York and that the state Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) licenses companies for moves statewide. A state license doesn't cover a trip into another state, though.
FMCSA's consumer rules apply when a move goes from one state to another or to another country. They do not apply to moves between two points in the same state. That means a move from the Bronx to Stamford or from Staten Island to Jersey City can be interstate even if it's only a few miles. The reverse is also true: a 300-mile move from Buffalo to Long Island is intrastate.
There is one caveat. FMCSA's consumer booklet says its rules also don't apply to moves inside a commercial zone, which is a federally defined area around a city. If your short move crosses a state line, ask FMCSA how it is classified before you book.
Federal records also only tell part of the story. A listing as in-state-only in FMCSA data doesn't show whether the company holds a New York certificate. To confirm that, the Department of State points consumers to NYSDOT at 518-457-6512.
What protections apply to interstate moves
Federal rules require interstate movers to give customers specific documents and follow set billing rules. Among them:
- The FMCSA booklet. You should receive Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move, either as a copy or as a link.
- Limits on what's due at delivery. On a binding estimate, the most a mover can demand is 100% of the estimate. On a non-binding estimate, the limit is 110% of the estimate, plus the cost of any services you added later and certain charges for hard-to-access locations.
- Arbitration. Interstate movers must offer an arbitration program. If you request it for a claim of $10,000 or less, the mover has to take part.
- A federal complaint channel. FMCSA says that if you've paid 110% of a non-binding estimate or 100% of a binding one and the mover still won't deliver, that violates federal rules. You can file a complaint online or call 1-888-368-7238.
FMCSA also warns that being registered isn't the same as being authorized. Not every registered company is authorized to move household goods.
What has gone wrong in New York
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn have taken on the hostage-load scheme, in which movers refuse to unload until customers pay more. In December 2023, a federal jury convicted Kristy Mak and Andre Prince of conspiracy to commit wire fraud over a fraudulent moving company scheme. Prosecutors said customers' belongings were held until they paid bogus fees, often double or triple the original estimate. They said the scheme took more than $3 million from over 800 victims. Prince was later sentenced to 24 months in prison and ordered to forfeit $100,000.
In an earlier case in the same district, prosecutors charged the president and an employee of a Brooklyn moving company, named as Moroz and Ohana. The government alleged they held customers' belongings until inflated fees were paid. These are allegations from the charging announcement, not findings.
State officials have issued repeated warnings. The Division of Consumer Protection cited Better Business Bureau figures for 2024: more than 100,000 inquiries about moving companies and 718 complaints, with a median loss of $754. Its advice includes watching for bait-and-switch quotes and being wary of large upfront payments. It notes that a binding estimate means you can't be made to pay more than the agreed amount unless you ask for extra services.
"A company may appear to be a trusted business online, but in reality, they may be professional scammers looking to steal your belongings." — New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez
This article is not legal advice. If a move goes wrong, contact FMCSA for interstate moves and the New York State Attorney General's office for help with a consumer complaint.
How to check a mover before you sign
- Get the USDOT number and look it up. MovePricer's free lookup at https://movepricer.com/check shows a mover's federal record, including whether it is authorized for interstate moves. You can also search FMCSA's mover database.
- Match the authority to your route. If your move crosses any state line, the mover needs active federal household-goods authority. If it stays in New York, confirm the NYSDOT certificate at 518-457-6512.
- Ask whether it's a mover or a broker. FMCSA says a legitimate company will tell you which one it is.
- Get a written estimate, preferably binding, and never sign blank or incomplete paperwork.
- Avoid large deposits and pay in a way that leaves a record.