Your own moving inventory vs the mover's inventory sheet
Movers write their own inventory at pickup, and it's the official record. Here's why keeping your own list with photos still matters if something is lost or broken.
The BoxTrack team · Facts checked · We make BoxTrackYour own inventory
On most full-service moves, the crew makes an inventory as they load: a numbered sticker on each box or piece of furniture, and a sheet noting its condition. On long-distance moves in the US, the FMCSA's guide for people moving tells you to check that inventory before you sign it. On military moves, the movers' inventory is the official record of the shipment.
At a glance
Your own inventory (BoxTrack)Your own inventory (BoxTrack)2.5We picked these rows and we make BoxTrack, so read it with that in mind. Every fact links to its source below.
Pax is an AI. He knows BoxTrack and moving, not other apps, so check them on their own sites.
The details
Why this comparison+
So why keep your own?
What the mover's inventory does well+
- It's the official record of what was loaded and in what condition.
- It's free. It comes with the move.
- It ties numbers to items, so a missing number is easy to spot at delivery.
What it leaves out+
- What's inside the boxes. A line like "carton, misc." or "kitchen box" is normal. If that box goes missing, the sheet doesn't say what you lost.
- Values. The sheet records condition, not what things are worth.
- Your photos. Condition notes are written quickly ("scratched", "worn"). Your own photos from before pickup show what something actually looked like.
What your own inventory adds+
In BoxTrack, you snap what goes into each box as you pack. AI lists the items and estimates replacement values, and each box gets a QR label. On delivery day, scan each box as it comes off the truck: BoxTrack shows which boxes haven't arrived. If one is missing or broken, you have every item in it with its photo, the date and its value, and a PDF report for your claim. Filing the claim is still yours to do, with the mover's paperwork.
Use both+
Check the mover's inventory at pickup and delivery, as the FMCSA advises, and note anything wrong before you sign. Keep your own list for what's inside the boxes. If you'd rather not use an app, our free moving inventory list template does the same job in Excel or on paper. Military families can use the PCS inventory checklist.
BoxTrack's free plan covers 1 box, so a whole move needs a paid plan, with a 72-hour free trial.
More: how to spot a moving scam and the PCS inventory guide.
About BoxTrack’s plans: the free plan is 1 box with up to 5 items, with every feature to try. On paid plans, Starter has up to 5 boxes and 10 AI photo scans a month; Plus has up to 49 boxes, unlimited AI scans (whole boxes too), the insurance PDF report, Excel and CSV export, sharing and custom fields; Unlimited adds unlimited boxes and Ask Pax, the AI assistant. New accounts get 72 hours free on any paid plan.