Quick answer: Usually yes, but only a little. Many car carriers allow up to about 100 pounds of personal items, packed in the trunk or cargo area below the window line, as long as you agree it in advance. Those items aren’t covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance, and some carriers allow nothing at all. Never pack weapons, ammunition, hazardous materials, illegal items or anything valuable, and never use the car as a moving box.
When you’re moving, an empty trunk looks like free storage. It’s a fair question, and the answer saves people from surprise fees, refused pickups and lost belongings every year. Here’s what’s allowed, what isn’t, and how to pack the few things you do bring so nothing shifts on the road.
NexGen Auto Transport has shipped more than 150,000 vehicles since 2021, and “can I leave stuff in the car?” is one of the most common questions our specialists get. Always tell us what you plan to pack when you book, and we’ll confirm it with your carrier.
Why Car Carriers Limit Personal Items
- Licensing. Auto transporters are licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to move vehicles, not household goods. Moving boxes of belongings is a different kind of service with its own rules. The FMCSA’s Protect Your Move site explains the difference.
- Insurance. A carrier’s cargo insurance covers the vehicle itself. Personal items left inside aren’t covered if they’re lost, stolen or broken, and loose items can damage the car’s interior.
- Weight. A fully loaded car hauler runs close to its legal weight limit. Extra weight in every car adds up, and trucks are weighed at state scales.
- Safety and inspections. Heavy or loose items can shift during braking and break windows or seats. Items in view also attract break-ins at truck stops.
What You Can and Can’t Leave in Your Car
| Usually OK | Ask first | Never allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Spare tire, jack and tire tools | A few bags or boxes in the trunk, up to about 100 lb | Firearms and ammunition |
| Child car seats | Car parts such as wheels or a roof box | Gasoline cans, propane, paint and other hazardous materials |
| Floor mats and an owner’s manual | Anything in the back seat | Illegal drugs or other illegal items |
| Jumper cables and a first-aid kit | Items in an enclosed-carrier shipment | Cash, jewelry, laptops and important documents |
| Fixed accessories such as a bike rack mount | Bikes or boards on an external rack | Furniture or a full load of household goods |
Rules vary from one carrier to the next, so what’s in the “ask first” column depends on the truck assigned to your car. Your NexGen specialist will confirm it before pickup.
The 100-Pound Guideline Explained
Many carriers allow up to about 100 pounds of personal items, roughly two or three medium boxes or a couple of suitcases. The most common conditions are:
- Everything goes in the trunk or the rear cargo area, below the window line.
- Nothing sits on the seats or the dashboard, or anywhere it blocks the driver’s view when they load the car.
- You tell the shipping company in advance. A driver who finds a packed car at pickup can refuse it or charge for the extra weight.
- You accept that those items travel at your own risk.
If you need to move more than that, ship your belongings separately with a mover or a freight service. It’s usually safer and cheaper than paying extra to overload a car.
Remove toll tags and garage door openers. A toll transponder left on the windshield can charge you for every toll the truck passes through. Take it off, or put it in a foil bag, before pickup.
How to Pack Your Car for Shipping
- Ask first, and list what you plan to pack when you book.
- Use the trunk only, and keep everything below the window line.
- Use soft bags or sturdy boxes, packed tight so nothing slides. Fill gaps with towels or blankets.
- Keep the weight low and centered, and nothing heavy against the back seat.
- Take photos of what you packed, and keep anything you can’t replace with you.
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel. A full tank adds weight too.
For the rest of the prep, from washing the car to checking the battery, follow our car shipping preparation checklist.
Special Cases
Enclosed transport
Enclosed carriers usually follow the same rule, and some allow less, because they carry high-value cars with strict weight limits. Ask before you pack anything in a classic or luxury car. Learn more about open vs enclosed car transport.
Military POV shipments
If the government is shipping your car overseas on PCS orders, the rules are stricter: only items needed to operate the car or keep passengers safe can stay inside. Read does the military pay to ship your car for the details.
Cars that don’t run
An inoperable car is winched onto the trailer, and loose items inside can shift. Keep it empty except for the spare tire and jack.
What If Something Inside Gets Damaged?
Damage to the car itself is covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance. NexGen shipments are covered up to $250,000 on open carriers and $500,000 enclosed. Personal belongings inside the car aren’t covered by that policy, which is why we recommend packing only things you could easily replace. Read what car shipping insurance covers for the full picture.
Have questions about packing your car? Talk to a NexGen specialist
Call Now: + (832) 886-1321 Get a Free Instant QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Can I put boxes in my car when shipping it?
Often yes, if you agree it in advance. Many carriers allow up to about 100 pounds of boxes or bags in the trunk, below the window line, at your own risk.
Are personal items covered by car shipping insurance?
No. The carrier’s cargo insurance covers the vehicle, not belongings left inside it. Keep valuables and important documents with you.
Can I leave my child’s car seat in the car?
Yes. Car seats are usually fine to leave installed, along with the spare tire, jack and floor mats.
What happens if I pack too much?
The driver can refuse to load the car, ask you to remove items or charge extra for the weight. That can delay your pickup, so it’s best to ask before you pack.
Can I ship a car full of my belongings when I move?
No. Car carriers aren’t licensed to move household goods. Ship your belongings with a moving company and your car with an auto transporter.
Related Guides
- How to prepare your car for shipping
- Car shipping when moving to a new state
- Car shipping cost calculator
