CMC Special & High-Value Item Handling 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under FMCSA regulations, a household goods item is classified as an 'article of extraordinary value' when its declared value exceeds what threshold?
- $50 per pound
- $100 per pound (Correct answer)
- $250 per pound
- $500 per item
Correct answer: $100 per pound
FMCSA regulations classify items worth more than $100 per pound as articles of extraordinary value, requiring special inventory documentation on a separate high-value inventory form.
Question 2: Which of the following items most commonly requires a custom crate rather than standard blanket-wrap protection during a long-distance move?
- Upholstered sofa
- Flat-panel OLED television (Correct answer)
- Standard bedroom dresser
- Metal filing cabinet
Correct answer: Flat-panel OLED television
Flat-panel OLED and plasma televisions are extremely fragile and susceptible to pressure and vibration damage, requiring custom-built crates or manufacturer-approved packaging for safe transport.
Question 3: When moving a grand piano, what is the primary structural concern a CMC must address when planning the move?
- The piano's finish and wood type
- Weight distribution and leg support during transit (Correct answer)
- The piano's brand and manufacturer
- The color of moving blankets used for wrapping
Correct answer: Weight distribution and leg support during transit
Grand piano legs must be removed and the piano placed on a piano board on its side, with weight properly distributed to prevent structural damage and ensure safe transport.
Question 4: What specialized equipment is typically required when moving a freestanding safe weighing over 500 lbs?
- Standard furniture dolly with straps
- Four-wheel appliance dolly only
- Heavy-duty safe dolly or roll-out system (Correct answer)
- Standard two-wheel hand truck
Correct answer: Heavy-duty safe dolly or roll-out system
Safes over 500 lbs require heavy-duty safe dollies or roll-out systems specifically designed for extreme weight without damaging flooring or creating crew injury risk.
Question 5: Before moving antique furniture valued at several thousand dollars, what should a CMC advise the customer to do first?
- Apply furniture polish to protect the finish during transit
- Remove all hardware and store it separately in labeled bags
- Obtain an independent appraisal and document the pre-move condition (Correct answer)
- Disassemble all joints to prevent movement during transport
Correct answer: Obtain an independent appraisal and document the pre-move condition
Obtaining an independent appraisal and documenting pre-move condition with photographs protects both the customer and the carrier if a damage claim is filed after the move.
Question 6: Which of the following is NOT a recommended practice when packing fine oil paintings for a household goods move?
- Using acid-free tissue paper between layered pieces
- Placing paintings face-to-face with padding between them
- Wrapping oil paintings in plastic wrap to seal out moisture (Correct answer)
- Using custom-built wooden crates for oversized canvases
Correct answer: Wrapping oil paintings in plastic wrap to seal out moisture
Plastic wrap traps moisture against oil paint surfaces, which can cause mold growth, paint cracking, or adhesion damage; acid-free and breathable materials must be used instead.
Question 7: When a customer asks about transporting propane tanks, pool chemicals, or other hazardous materials as part of their household goods shipment, what is the CMC's primary regulatory obligation?
- Package them in double-layered sealed containers
- Refuse to transport them per DOT hazardous materials regulations (Correct answer)
- Charge an accessorial fee and transport them with extra caution
- Obtain written customer consent before loading onto the truck
Correct answer: Refuse to transport them per DOT hazardous materials regulations
DOT regulations prohibit household goods carriers from transporting most hazardous materials including flammable gases and corrosive substances, and CMCs must inform customers of these legal restrictions.
CMC Special & High-Value Item Handling 1
Under FMCSA regulations, a household goods item is classified as an 'article of extraordinary value' when its declared value exceeds what threshold?