NAICS Code for Moving Company (How to Choose)
Most moving companies that provide household or office moving services (loading, transportation, and unloading) are commonly classified as NAICS 484210 – Used Household and Office Goods Moving. However, the correct code can change if your primary activity is labor-only packing/loading, storage, or broker/dispatch services.
This is a how-to-choose guide written for business owners. Use the linked NAICS detail pages to confirm official definitions, included/excluded activities, and boundaries.
How to choose the correct NAICS code for a moving company
Quick rule: classify the establishment by the primary service model: (1) full moving services (load + transport + unload), (2) labor-only support, (3) storage, or (4) broker/dispatch.
- Provides moving services for household/office goods (incl. transportation): commonly 484210 – Used Household and Office Goods Moving.
- Provides packing/loading/unloading as a service (no transportation responsibility): often review 488490 – Other Support Activities for Road Transportation (confirm the best match on the detail page).
- Operates a storage facility as the primary activity: often review 493110 – General Warehousing and Storage (or self-storage categories depending on the operation).
- Broker/dispatch that arranges moves performed by other carriers: often review a transportation support/brokerage category (confirm in directory).
⚠️ Common mistake: using a general “trucking” code when the business is actually household/office moving.
Many moving companies operate trucks, but their primary activity is moving used household/office goods. That’s why 484210 is commonly used for movers. Verify definition boundaries on the code detail page.
Common moving company models (and what they usually map to)
Two businesses can both advertise “moving services” and still need different NAICS codes. The tie-breaker is: who is responsible for the move (carrier/mover) versus who provides labor/support versus who provides storage.
| Business model | Often mapped to | Typical indicators |
|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover (load + transport + unload) | 484210 | Own/lease trucks, provides transport, mover contracts/bills customer |
| Labor-only mover (packing/loading/unloading) | 488490 (often) | Customer rents truck, company supplies labor crews only |
| Moving + storage (storage dominates) | 493110 (often) | Warehousing, long-term storage, storage contracts are primary revenue |
| Broker/dispatch (arranges moves performed by others) | Transportation support/brokerage category (verify) | Does not operate moving crews/vehicles; earns arranging/dispatch fees |
Best practice: document whether you are the carrier/mover of record, and whether transportation is part of your core service.
Core NAICS codes for moving companies (most common)
Full-service moving (most movers)
Household and office moving services, including transportation.
Labor-only packing/loading support
Packing, loading, unloading, and related support when transportation is not your primary responsibility.
Storage (moving + storage operations)
Warehousing/storage can be a separate establishment or a primary line of business.
Trucking vs moving (don’t confuse them)
“Trucking” classifications can differ from moving used household/office goods. If you haul freight (not moving services), use your trucking guide/code detail pages. Movers commonly review 484210.
Labor-only movers (when 488490 is commonly reviewed)
Many “moving labor” companies do not provide transportation. The customer rents a truck, and the business supplies crews for packing, loading, unloading, or heavy lifting. In those cases, classification often shifts away from a mover/carrier category and toward support activities.
⚠️ Common mistake: using 484210 when you only provide labor and do not provide transportation.
If you are not responsible for transport, review 488490 and confirm definition boundaries on the detail page.
Moving + storage (when storage becomes the primary activity)
Many moving companies also provide storage. NAICS may differ depending on whether storage is a minor add-on or the primary revenue driver (and whether it operates as a separate facility).
- Short-term storage tied to moves: often remains aligned with your mover activity (commonly 484210), depending on primary activity.
- Dedicated storage facility / long-term storage contracts: often review 493110 (and confirm whether a more specific storage category fits).
- Self-storage business open to the public: may map to a self-storage category (verify using the directory/detail pages).
Moving broker / dispatch model (arranging moves performed by others)
Some businesses sell moves but do not operate trucks/crews. They book jobs and route them to carriers or subcontractors. These models can classify differently from operating movers, depending on whether the business is a carrier/mover of record or a broker/support service.
If you do not perform the move and earn fees for arranging transportation, verify the best support/brokerage category using the NAICS Directory and confirm boundaries on the relevant code detail page.
Warehouses, offices, crews & establishment-level classification
NAICS is assigned at the establishment level. A moving company may have separate NAICS assignments for a dispatch office, a warehouse/storage location, and crew/vehicle operations depending on what occurs at each location.
| Location type | Often classified as | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Moving operations hub (trucks/crews) | 484210 (often) | Moving services and transportation are performed |
| Labor-only crew office | 488490 (often) | Packing/loading services provided without transport |
| Warehouse / storage facility | 493110 (often) | Primary activity is warehousing/storage |
| Administrative office only | May classify separately depending on structure | Administrative functions can differ from field operations |
NAICS hierarchy for moving companies (reference)
| Category | NAICS | What it covers (plain language) |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | 48–49 | Transportation and Warehousing |
| Subsector | 484 | Truck Transportation (includes household/office goods moving category) |
| Used household & office goods moving | 484210 | Moving services for used household and office goods |
| Support activities (road transportation) | 488490 | Support services tied to road transport (often reviewed for labor-only models) |
| Warehousing & storage | 493110 | Warehousing and storage operations |
Common misclassifications for moving companies
Using a freight trucking code by mistake
If you’re hauling freight as a carrier (not moving household/office goods), trucking classifications can differ. Moving companies commonly review 484210. Confirm on the detail page.
Using a mover code for a storage-only business
If your primary activity is storage (especially long-term or public storage), review 493110 and confirm whether a more specific storage category applies.
Applied uses of moving company NAICS codes
- Business licensing, DOT/operating paperwork (where applicable)
- Banking and merchant processing setup
- Insurance classification and underwriting workflows
- Vendor onboarding for commercial accounts (corporate relocations, facilities)
- Marketing lists and outreach by NAICS category
Moving company industry data and business lists
Need a moving company list by NAICS code?
SICCODE.com provides business lists aligned to moving and related categories such as 484210 (moving companies), 488490 (support services), and storage-related segments. Lists can be filtered by NAICS, geography (state, county, ZIP), company size, and firmographic fields, with delivery options including CSV and Excel.
FAQ
- What is the NAICS code for a moving company?
Moving companies that provide household/office moving services (including transportation) are commonly classified as 484210 – Used Household and Office Goods Moving. - What NAICS code should I use for labor-only moving (loading/unloading)?
If you do not provide transportation and only provide packing/loading/unloading labor, many businesses review 488490 – Other Support Activities for Road Transportation. Confirm boundaries on the detail page. - If I offer moving and storage, do I have one NAICS code?
Not always. NAICS is assigned at the establishment level. A moving operations hub can differ from a storage warehouse depending on primary activity. Review 484210 and 493110. - Is a moving broker the same as a moving company?
Not necessarily. If you arrange moves performed by others and earn arranging fees, classification can differ from operating movers/trucks. Use the NAICS Directory to confirm the best match. - Where can I confirm the official definition for 484210?
Use the code detail page for NAICS 484210 – Used Household and Office Goods Moving to review definition boundaries and related classifications.
Next steps
If your business provides full moving services (load + transport + unload), start with NAICS 484210. If you provide labor-only support without transportation, review NAICS 488490. If storage is a primary line of business, review NAICS 493110 and confirm whether a more specific storage category applies.
Related resources
- NAICS Code for Trucking Company (Guide)
- NAICS Code Lookup Directory
- What Is a NAICS Code?
- NAICS Included vs. Excluded Activities
- SIC Codes vs NAICS Codes
- Transportation & Warehousing (Sector 48–49)
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