The Form That Decides Your Valuables Claim

Last Updated: August 2026

TL;DR: The High-Value Inventory List (HVIL) is the signed sheet that decides your valuables claim. It names each household item worth more than $100 per pound, attaches to the Bill of Lading, and triggers extraordinary-value duties under 49 CFR 375.213. Anything left off pays only $0.60 per pound per article.

A High-Value Inventory Form (HVIF), also called a High-Value Inventory List (HVIL), is a written declaration a customer signs at booking to list household goods worth more than $100 per pound. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets that value-per-weight rule for interstate moves. The list is attached to the Bill of Lading (BoL), the master shipping contract for the move, and it travels with the shipment from load to delivery. Under 49 CFR 375.213, any article on the HVIL is treated as an extraordinary-value article, which raises the carrier duties for handling, tracking, and claim settlement. Any item left off the HVIL falls under standard Released Value Protection (RVP) and pays $0.60 per pound per article on a claim, no matter the real value of the piece.

Safebound Moving and Storage is a licensed interstate carrier based in West Palm Beach, Florida, holding USDOT 2900155 (United States Department of Transportation), MC 975408, and FL IM2839. Safebound has completed 35,000+ residential and commercial moves since 2016. The luxury white-glove moving tier ships fine art, antiques, jewelry, and designer furniture, where the HVIL is the paperwork that decides the claim outcome. The team walks each client through the HVIL during the pre-move survey, so nothing on the form is signed blind on move day.

The five points below cover what the HVIL is, which items must be listed, what happens when a piece is missing, how the list ties to the Full Value Protection (FVP) premium, and who signs the form.

Key Takeaways

1. The HVIL is a signed list. It names each item worth more than $100 per pound and is attached to the Bill of Lading before the truck is loaded.

2. Extraordinary value is set by FMCSA. Under 49 CFR 375.213, any article over $100 per pound is an extraordinary-value article and needs a written declaration on the form.

3. Undeclared items pay $0.60 per pound. A missing item on the HVIL falls under Released Value Protection at the federal minimum, no matter what the piece is really worth.

4. Declaration affects the FVP premium, not the base move rate. Full Value Protection is priced from the total declared value. The line-haul rate stays tied to cubic feet or crew hours.

5. The customer signs the HVIL. The mover signs to confirm receipt of the list, not to appraise the pieces or agree with the stated values.

The five sections below break each point into a plain definition, the paperwork step, and the number that lands on the written estimate.

What Is a High-Value Inventory Form?

A High-Value Inventory Form is a written list of household goods worth more than $100 per pound that a customer signs before loading. The list is attached to the Bill of Lading, and FMCSA rules require the mover to accept the form and to handle each named item under extraordinary-value duties set by 49 CFR 375.213. The HVIL is not an appraisal, and the mover does not verify the market price of any piece.

The form is short. Each row has a written description, a serial or catalog number when the item has one, and the declared value in dollars. Both parties date and sign the sheet. A copy stays with the customer, and the original travels with the shipment paperwork. Safebound reviews each row during the pre-move survey, so the values on the form match what the client plans to insure under the Full Value Protection line on the estimate.

Which Items Must Be Declared?

Any household item worth more than $100 per pound must be declared on the HVIL. That threshold is a value-per-weight rule set by FMCSA, not a total-price rule. A five-pound painting worth $600 crosses the line. A 200-pound armoire worth $600 does not. The list below covers the common piece types that meet the extraordinary-value test and belong on the form. Each entry needs a short description, a serial or catalog number when possible, and the declared value.

• Fine art. Paintings, prints, sculpture, and framed originals.

• Fine jewelry. Diamond rings, gold chains, gemstone pieces, and heirloom watches.

• Furs and designer garments. Mink coats, leather outerwear, and named-designer wardrobes.

• Silverware and flatware sets. Sterling silver flatware, silver tea services, and hollowware.

• Rare collectibles. Coin collections, sports memorabilia, first-edition books, and signed vinyl.

• Antique furniture. Signed pieces, inlaid cabinets, and antique clocks.

• High-end electronics. Studio audio gear, professional cameras, high-end computers, and gaming consoles.

• Wine and spirits. Cellared bottles, rare vintages, and boxed collections.

• Hand-knotted rugs. Persian, Oriental, and heirloom carpets.

• Musical instruments. Grand pianos, violins, and vintage guitars.

A piece can qualify even when it looks ordinary. A slim laptop, a small camera body, and a folded fur coat are all light enough to cross the $100-per-pound line. The safe move is to weigh any item that might qualify, do the math, and add it to the HVIL when the value per pound is over the threshold. A photo-method home inventory speeds that triage. Safebound flags the borderline items during the pre-move survey, so the client sees them on the draft form before signing.

The table below sets the HVIL decision against the two federal coverage tiers so the client can see which one applies before signing.

Feature	Released Value Protection (RVP)	Full Value Protection (FVP)
Cost	Free federal default	Paid rider, priced against declared value
Coverage cap	60 cents per pound per article	Declared total shipment value
Damage payout	Weight x 60 cents (a 10-lb TV pays $6.00)	Repair, like-kind replacement, or cash at market value
Age deduction	Not applicable (weight only)	Depends on the written addendum (ACV vs new-item terms)
When you want it	Nothing fragile or high-value	Any move with items worth more than the weight cap

Both options are federal defaults for licensed interstate carriers under 49 CFR 375.303. The choice is made in writing on the Bill of Lading before loading.

That coverage math sets the stakes for what happens when an item is missing from the list.

What Happens If an Item Is Not Listed?

An unlisted item falls under Released Value Protection, which pays $0.60 per pound per article on any claim. That is the federal minimum, and it applies no matter the real value of the piece. A 3-pound tablet worth $900 pays $1.80 on a lost or damaged claim. A 5-pound painting worth $5,000 pays $3.00. The gap between the settlement and the replacement cost is the customer's loss. Adding the piece to the HVIL before loading is the only way to keep it under extraordinary-value duties and under Full Value Protection.

Late listing does not fix the gap once the truck has left. FMCSA rules require the list to be signed before loading, so an item added after the crew departs is treated as undeclared for that shipment. A copy of the signed HVIL stays with the client, and any dispute is settled from that record. The Florida claim filing steps lean on that signature record from step one. Safebound sends a draft HVIL to the client during the pre-move survey, then confirms the final list on move day before the crew starts loading, so nothing high-value ships unlisted.

How Does Declaration Affect Premium?

The HVIL affects the Full Value Protection (FVP) premium, not the base moving rate. The line-haul rate is priced from cubic feet on long-distance moves or from crew hours on local moves. That rate does not change when a client adds a piece to the HVIL. FVP is priced from the total declared value of the shipment. The high-value items on the HVIL are part of that total. A higher declared value raises the FVP premium. A lower declared value lowers it.

The deductible option also moves the number. A $0 deductible costs more per $1,000 of declared value than a $250 or $500 deductible. Some carriers cap the payout on a single HVIL article at a stated dollar figure, so a very high-value piece may need a separate rider or a third-party fine-art policy. Safebound quotes the FVP premium, the deductible options, and any per-article cap on the written estimate, so the client can weigh the coverage math before signing the Bill of Lading.

Who Completes and Signs It?

The customer completes and signs the HVIL. The mover's foreman signs to confirm receipt of the list before loading begins, not to appraise the pieces or to agree with the stated values. Both signatures are dated. A copy of the signed HVIL stays with the customer, and the original is attached to the Bill of Lading. That signature record is the reference used on any later claim.

The customer names each item, writes a short description, adds a serial or catalog number when the piece has one, and enters the declared value in dollars. The foreman checks that each named piece is present at pickup and notes any that are not. Under 49 CFR 375.213, the mover accepts the list at the point of signature, and the extraordinary-value duties begin from that moment. Safebound has the client sign the HVIL alongside the Bill of Lading and the Full Value Protection addendum, so all three documents are dated and stapled together in one packet. In a high-rise pickup, that packet also travels with a building certificate of insurance so building management can approve the loading dock time slot before the crew arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a High-Value Inventory Form?

A High-Value Inventory Form is a written list of household goods worth more than $100 per pound. The customer signs it before loading, and it is attached to the Bill of Lading. FMCSA rules under 49 CFR 375.213 require the mover to accept the list and handle each item under extraordinary-value duties. Safebound reviews each row during the pre-move survey.

Which Items Must Be Declared?

Any household item worth more than $100 per pound must be declared on the HVIL. Fine art, fine jewelry, furs, silverware, rare collectibles, antique furniture, high-end electronics, cellared wine, and hand-knotted rugs are common examples. Each entry needs a short description, a serial or catalog number when possible, and the declared value. Safebound flags borderline items during the pre-move survey.

What Happens If an Item Is Not Listed?

An unlisted item falls under Released Value Protection and pays $0.60 per pound per article on any claim. A 5-pound painting worth $5,000 pays $3.00. A 3-pound tablet worth $900 pays $1.80. The gap between settlement and replacement is the customer's loss. Adding the piece to the HVIL before loading is the only way to keep it under high-value duties.

How Does Declaration Affect Premium?

The HVIL affects the Full Value Protection premium, not the base move rate. FVP is priced from the total declared value of the shipment. A higher declared value raises the premium. A lower deductible raises it too. The line-haul rate stays tied to cubic feet or crew hours. Safebound quotes the premium, deductible options, and any per-article cap in writing.

Who Completes and Signs It?

The customer fills out and signs the HVIL. The mover's foreman signs to confirm receipt at pickup, not to appraise pieces or agree with stated values. Both signatures are dated. A copy stays with the customer, and the original is attached to the Bill of Lading. That signed record is the reference used on any later claim.

Can I add items to the HVIL on move day?

Yes, but only before loading starts. FMCSA rules require the list to be signed before the crew loads the truck. Safebound confirms the final list on move day, so any late add gets a signature ahead of the first box. An item added after the truck leaves is treated as undeclared and pays only $0.60 per pound per article.

What is the difference between the HVIL and the standard household inventory?

The standard household inventory lists every item on the truck for count and condition. It is used at delivery to check nothing is missing and note damage. The HVIL is a shorter, separate list naming only items worth more than $100 per pound plus a declared value. The HVIL sets the claim math for high-value pieces under 49 CFR 375.213.

Does the HVIL replace an appraisal?

No. The HVIL is a customer declaration, not an appraisal. The mover accepts the value the customer writes but does not verify the market price. Fine art, fine jewelry, and rare collectibles often need a written appraisal from a qualified appraiser to back the declared value at claim time. Safebound suggests clients bring an appraisal to the pre-move survey.

Do I need an HVIL for a local move?

The federal HVIL rule under 49 CFR 375.213 applies to interstate moves under FMCSA authority. Florida intrastate moves fall under Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) rules, and most licensed movers use a similar high-value declaration form for local jobs. Safebound uses one HVIL for both interstate and Florida local moves, so paperwork and claim reference match.

Ready to Book a White-Glove Move With a Signed HVIL?

The Safebound white-glove team walks each client through the HVIL during the pre-move survey. The list, the declared values, and the Full Value Protection premium are locked on the written estimate before move day. Call us at 561-510-7191 to book a survey and start the form. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-9pm | Sat-Sun 10am-6pm.

People Also Read

• Why High Net Worth Moving Services Cost More (And Why It's Worth It)

• Moving Insurance Explained: Released Value vs. Full Value Protection

Sources & References

• FMCSA, Protect Your Move

• Florida DACS, Mover Verification

• FTC, Avoid Scams When You Hire a Moving Company

Safebound Moving & Storage is licensed, insured, and certified throughout Florida and the continental United States. USDOT 2900155 | MC 975408 | FL IM2839. BBB Accredited. Forbes Featured. Verify at fdacs.gov or safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.

About the Author

Leo Cavaretta | Moving Industry Specialist, Safebound Moving & Storage

Leo Cavaretta is a moving industry specialist at Safebound Moving & Storage, a licensed carrier based in West Palm Beach, Florida (USDOT 2900155). Leo specializes in interstate moving regulations, USDOT compliance, residential relocation, and moving cost transparency, helping customers navigate the full moving process, from written, price-locked estimates with transparent pricing and no hidden fees to long-distance logistics, with confidence. Since 2016, Safebound has completed more than 35,000 residential and commercial relocations across all 50 states. Safebound holds USDOT 2900155, MC 975408, and FL IM2839, and is BBB Accredited. Get a free quote or learn about Safebound Moving & Storage.

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