National Portable Storage Association

Industry and products

moving container

A moving container is a portable storage container used to move a household. PODS describes portable storage containers as large, secure, usually weather-resistant boxes that can be moved from place to place. The customer loads the container, and the company carries it to a storage center or a new home.

Why it matters

A moving container lets a family load at its own pace instead of racing a truck rental clock. The PODS steps are: reserve a container, receive it at the current home, load it, have it picked up, and have it delivered to a storage center or the new address. A common mistake is to ignore the delivery spot. A container needs room, firm ground and sometimes a city permit. Customers should also ask about insurance, billing periods and weight limits. Operators should explain the steps and what the quote includes. Companies set their own terms.

Read: Moving container or rental truck? How to choose for your move

Definition source: pods.com

Related terms

portable moving and storage (PMS)

Portable moving and storage, or PMS, is the part of the portable storage industry that delivers containers to homes for moving and storage. The customer loads the container, the company picks it up, and it is stored or delivered to a new address. PODS uses these steps in its rental process.

mobile storage unit

A mobile storage unit is a storage box built to be moved, delivered and picked up by truck. NPSA describes mobile self-storage containers as units delivered to a customer's location, loaded there and moved on. NPSA says members offer mobile self-storage containers in lengths from 7 feet to 20 feet.

local move

A local move is a move within the same area, usually the same city or region. With portable storage, the provider delivers a container, the customer loads it, and the provider takes it to the new address or to a storage center. The customer does not need a rental truck.

long distance move

A long distance move is a move to a distant city or another state. With portable storage, the customer loads a container at home, the provider moves it by third-party carrier to the new area, and a local team delivers it for unloading. The customer does not drive a truck.

container shuttle

A container shuttle is a short trip that moves a container from one point to another nearby, such as from a yard to a job site, from one address to another, or from a customer site to a storage center. It is a local container relocation, not a long haul.

loading time

Loading time is the period a customer has to fill a portable storage container once it is delivered. Providers set it in the rental agreement. Some include a set number of days, and some describe it as however long the customer needs. After it ends, pickup or extra daily fees may apply.

All 220 terms

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