What Is a Moving Inspection Report in 2026 and Why It Protects You

Last Updated: June 2026

TL;DR: A moving inspection report, also called the Descriptive Inventory, is the legal record the crew creates at pickup and at delivery. It lists every box and item with damage codes such as CHIP, SCR, DEN, and BR. It backs any written claim under 49 CFR 370.3 for nine months after delivery.

A moving inspection report is the sheet the crew foreman fills out at pickup and at delivery, and it logs the state of every box and piece of furniture on the truck. Safebound Moving and Storage, a licensed interstate carrier operating under USDOT 2900155 and MC 975408, creates this record on every interstate move. The federal name is the Household Goods Descriptive Inventory, set by 49 CFR 375, and the signed report is the proof behind any claim.

Safebound has booked more than 35,000 moves since 2016 and holds a 4.9 rating across 2,401 reviews. The carrier prints the Descriptive Inventory on every long-distance move so that the customer can read each tag, code, and item line before the truck rolls. The sheet is signed again at delivery after the count, which starts the 9-month claim window under 49 CFR 370.3.

The sections below cover what the report holds, how the damage codes work, and how it protects the customer at both walk-throughs.

Key Takeaways

1. Legal State Record: The Descriptive Inventory is the legal sheet that records the state of every item on the truck at pickup and at delivery under 49 CFR 375.

2. Damage Codes Matter: Old damage is logged with codes such as CHIP, SCR, DEN, BR, G, M, R, ST, and W. Each one is paired with a part code such as T for top or BO for bottom.

3. 9-Month Claim Window: Under 49 CFR 370.3, the customer has nine months from the delivery date to file a written claim for loss or damage with the carrier.

4. Delivery Notes Are Key: Any new damage must be written on the delivery copy before signing. Claims are hard to prove without that note.

5. Photos Back the Record: Timestamped photos at pickup and at delivery add a dated record that sits next to the written inspection report in any claim file.

The next sections cover the parts of the report, the damage codes, both walk-throughs, and the steps that protect the customer.

What Is a Moving Inspection Report?

A moving inspection report is the numbered list of every item on the truck, with a state note on each line. The federal name is the Household Goods Descriptive Inventory, often called the Descriptive Inventory or inventory sheet, and the crew foreman writes it at pickup and signs it with the customer. The same sheet is signed again at delivery after the count.

The report is set by 49 CFR 375, the federal rule for household goods moves across state lines, and each box, piece of furniture, and loose item gets a sticker with a unique tag number. The foreman writes the state next to each tag with a short code, and Safebound prints the sheet on every interstate move so that the foreman can walk the customer through every line before the truck leaves.

What Damage Codes Are Used on the Report?

Damage codes are short symbols that log the state of each item without long notes, and the standard codes are CHIP for chip, SCR for scratch, DEN for dent, BR for broken, G for gouge, M for marred, R for rusted, ST for stained, and W for water damage. The codes save space and give a quick read for both the customer and the claim adjuster.

Each damage code is paired with a part code that points to the spot, and common part codes are T for top, BO for bottom, FR for front, L for left, and R for right. A line that reads "SCR T" means a scratch on the top, while a line that reads "DEN FR" means a dent on the front. The foreman should read the codes out loud at pickup so that the customer can confirm each note before signing.

What Damage Codes Appear on a Moving Inspection Report?

Most household goods carriers use the same short set of damage codes, and the list below is the one most foremen reference when they walk the customer through the Descriptive Inventory. Reading the chart before pickup helps the customer match each printed code on the sheet to a clear meaning, which speeds up the joint walk-through and removes guesswork at the close-out signature.

Code	Meaning	Example
CHIP	Chipped surface	CHIP T (top of dresser)
SCR	Scratched	SCR FR (front of cabinet)
DEN	Dented	DEN BO (bottom of appliance)
BR	Broken	BR (leg or arm separated)
G	Gouged	G SI (side of armoire)
M	Marred	M T (top of table)
R	Rusted	R (appliance hinge)
ST	Stained	ST (fabric piece)
W	Water damaged	W BO (carton bottom)

The chart shows why a pair of letters can hold so much detail on a single inventory line, since CHIP T points to a chip on the top of a dresser while W BO points to water damage on the bottom of a carton. Customers who learn the codes in advance can flag a wrong note in real time, and that habit is the single biggest reason a later claim under 49 CFR 370.3 holds up cleanly.

What Happens During the Origin Walk-Through?

The origin walk-through is the joint check at the pickup home before any item is loaded, and the foreman tours every room and notes the state of each piece of furniture and each box. The crew then tags each item and writes the tag number on the sheet next to the codes.

The customer should walk with the foreman and confirm each code, and any code the customer does not agree with should be flagged before the item is loaded. The same step applies to boxes packed by the owner, which carry a PBO note that means "packed by owner" with limited carrier liability under the federal household goods rules. Safebound covers this stop on every packed move.

What Happens During the Delivery Walk-Through?

The delivery walk-through is the re-check at the new address after the unload, and the customer marks off each tag as the crew brings the item in. Each item is also checked against the first codes to spot new damage not on the pickup sheet, and any new code is written on the delivery copy before the customer signs the close-out line.

This step is the most important one for any later claim because damage noted on the delivery sheet is the strongest proof a customer can have. Damage found after the crew leaves can still be claimed under the 9-month window set by 49 CFR 370.3, the federal regulation that governs claim windows, although it is much harder to prove without a note on the delivery copy. Safebound supports this stop on every long-distance move.

How Does the Report Protect You in a Claim?

The inspection report is the base of proof in any written claim under 49 CFR 370.3, the federal regulation that governs claim windows, which gives the customer nine months from delivery to file a written claim for loss or damage. The carrier then has 30 days to confirm the claim, and the carrier has 120 days to pay, deny, or send a firm offer in writing. The signed pickup sheet and delivery copy are the two records that drive the file.

A claim for an item logged as clean at pickup and damaged at delivery is the strongest case because the pickup sheet shows the state at load time while the delivery sheet shows the state at unload time. A new code at delivery proves the loss happened in transit or on the unload, since the item was clean when it left the home. Customers can read the Safebound guide on released value vs full value protection before booking.

How Are Photos Used Alongside the Report?

Photos add a dated visual record that codes alone do not carry, since a dated photo at pickup proves the state at load time while a dated photo at delivery proves the state at unload time. The two photos sit next to the inventory line, and together they remove most of the dispute about when the damage happened.

The best plan is to photo every high-value item, every fragile box, and every piece of furniture with a long code list at pickup. Photo each box at delivery as it is opened, with the tag in the frame, and photo any new damage to a wall, floor, or door frame before the crew leaves. Safebound suggests saving every photo to a dated cloud folder the same day because that locks the file before any later edit can change the date.

How Is the Inspection Report Different From the Bill of Lading?

The Bill of Lading and the inspection report are two separate records that work together on a move. The Bill of Lading, which serves as the legal moving contract between the customer and the carrier, locks in the pickup window, the delivery spread, the rate, the item count, and the chosen value option. The inspection report, or Descriptive Inventory, is the numbered state record for every item on the truck.

Both records are signed at pickup and again at delivery, and the Bill of Lading closes the contract at delivery while the Descriptive Inventory closes the count and state record. A claim under 49 CFR 370.3, the federal regulation that governs claim windows, relies on both records because the Bill of Lading proves the move while the inventory proves the state. Read more in the Safebound guide on what moving insurance actually covers.

9 Steps to Protect Yourself With the Inspection Report

1. Ask for the printed inventory: Request a printed sheet with every tag, every damage code, and every part code before the truck leaves.

2. Walk every room: Tour each room, closet, garage, attic, and basement so the foreman can tag and code every item before any box goes on the truck.

3. Confirm each damage code: Have the foreman read codes out loud. Flag any code the customer does not agree with before signing.

4. Note packed-by-owner boxes: Confirm a PBO note on each box the owner packed. Federal rules limit carrier liability on items the customer sealed.

5. Photo high-value items: Take a dated photo of each high-value item, each fragile box, and each piece of furniture with a long code list before the load begins.

6. Count tag numbers at delivery: Mark off each tag as the crew brings the item in. Flag any missing tag before the close-out signature.

7. Write new damage on the delivery copy: Add any new code such as W for water or BR for broken on the delivery copy before signing the close-out line.

8. Sign nothing blank: Never sign a blank or partly filled sheet. Blank lines can be added after the signature and weaken the customer position.

9. Keep a personal copy: Take a clear photo of every page of the signed inventory and Bill of Lading. Save the file to a dated cloud folder the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a moving inspection report?

A moving inspection report is the numbered state record the foreman creates at pickup and signs at delivery. The federal name is the Household Goods Descriptive Inventory under 49 CFR 375. It lists every box and item with a unique tag and a code that logs the state at load and unload.

What is the legal basis for the inspection report?

The report is part of the federal household goods rules under 49 CFR 375. The state notes on the report support any written claim filed under 49 CFR 370.3. The customer has nine months from delivery to file. The carrier has 30 days to confirm and 120 days to act in writing.

What do the damage codes mean?

The codes are CHIP for chip, SCR for scratch, DEN for dent, BR for broken, G for gouge, M for marred, R for rusted, ST for stained, and W for water damage. Each one is paired with a part code such as T for top, BO for bottom, or FR for front. The codes save space and give a quick read for the customer and claim adjuster.

What happens during the origin walk-through?

The origin walk-through is the joint check at pickup before any item is loaded. The foreman tours every room with the customer, tags each item, and writes a code next to each tag. The customer confirms each code and signs only after every line is correct.

What happens during the delivery walk-through?

The delivery walk-through is the re-check at the new address. The customer marks off each tag as the crew brings the item in. They check the state against the first codes. Any new damage is written on the delivery copy before signing the close-out line.

How long do I have to file a damage claim?

Federal rules under 49 CFR 370.3 give the customer nine months from delivery to file a written claim. The carrier has 30 days to confirm the claim. The carrier has 120 days to pay, deny, or send a firm offer in writing. The signed sheet is the core proof in the file.

How is the inspection report different from the Bill of Lading?

The Bill of Lading is the legal contract that locks in the pickup window, delivery spread, rate, and value option. The inspection report is the numbered state record for every item on the truck. Both are signed at pickup and at delivery. A loss claim relies on both records.

Should I take photos in addition to the written report?

Yes. Dated photos add a visual record that codes alone do not carry. Photo every high-value item and every fragile box at pickup. Photo each box at delivery as it is opened, with the tag in the frame. Save the photos to a dated cloud folder the same day.

Should I sign the report if it has blank lines?

No. The customer should never sign a blank or partly filled sheet. Blank lines can be added after the signature and weaken the claim. Ask the foreman to fill every line, draw a line through any empty space, and only then sign.

Ready to Book a Move With a Real Inspection Report?

A real inspection report at pickup and at delivery is the base of a clean interstate move. The right carrier prints the sheet, reads each code out loud, and closes the Bill of Lading with the customer in the room. Call Safebound Moving and Storage at 561-510-7191 to set a crew, a date, and a written estimate. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am–9pm | Sat-Sun 10am–6pm.

People Also Read

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

• What Does Moving Insurance Actually Cover? (And What It Doesn't)

Sources & References

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Protect Your Move

• Florida DACS, Mover Verification

• FTC, Tips for Hiring 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.

Connect: LinkedIn