--- title: What Is Permanent Storage? Moving Glossary | O'Brien's url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/permanent-storage/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving and storage glossary](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/) - Permanent storage # What is permanent storage? In the federal moving rules, permanent storage is the status goods take when storage-in-transit expires and the mover's carrier liability ends. Under 49 CFR 375.609, the mover must warn you at least 10 days ahead, and you keep nine months after conversion to file claims for loss or damage. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) The word permanent sounds like a forever arrangement. In the regulations it is a narrow, technical step: the moment a stored shipment stops being a mover's responsibility on the road and becomes a warehouse customer's goods under the warehouse's own rules and charges. ## Where it sits in a move A mover can hold your goods temporarily on the way to a new home, which the rules call storage-in-transit. The [storage in transit](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-is-storage-in-transit/) guide covers that stage. Permanent storage is what the shipment becomes when that period is over, whether because the specified time has run out or the maximum period in the tariff has been reached. ## What the mover must tell you Notice must arrive at least 10 days before the expiration date, in writing, by fax, email, overnight courier or certified mail, return receipt requested. If the stay is under 10 days, notice goes out one day before. Section 375.609(g) says that if the mover fails to notify you, its carrier liability continues under the tariff until the end of the day after it actually gave notice. - The date of conversion to permanent storage - That a nine-month period begins on that date for claims for loss or damage in transit or during the storage-in-transit period - That the mover's liability is ending - That your property will be subject to the rules, regulations and charges of the warehouseman ## Whose name is on the goods Section 375.609(h) requires that when the mover places goods in permanent storage, it places them in the name of the individual shipper and provides contact information for the shipper, such as a phone number, mailing address or email. That keeps ownership and contact with you, not with a transport company. ## How it differs from planned storage Permanent storage in the rule is an outcome of a delayed delivery. Storage you plan, such as O'Brien's full-service vault storage, is a service you choose from the start. Vaults are wooden, measure 7 ft x 7 ft x 5 ft, and start from $40 per month, for short or long stays. Because the goods are packed into vaults at the Sparks warehouse, you ask for them back with about 2 to 3 weeks notice. ## What to do with the notice Read the date, write the nine-month claim deadline on your calendar and decide whether to arrange delivery or keep the goods stored. Look at the [vault storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/vault-storage/) page if planned storage fits your timeline. Call 775-359-6683 with questions about either path. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.609 storage in transit](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-F/section-375.609) - [FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2023-10/FMCSA_R%26R_Handbook_Web_v1.pdf) - [eCFR, 49 CFR part 370 loss and damage claims](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-370) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [What is storage in transit?](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-is-storage-in-transit/) - [Vault storage: how 7 x 7 x 5 ft wooden vaults work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/vault-storage/) Moving glossary ## Read next - [Warehouse handling](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/warehouse-handling/) - [Punch list](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/punch-list/) - [Debris removal](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/debris-removal/) - [Appliance service](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/appliance-service/) - [Valuation deductible](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/valuation-deductible/) - [Bill of lading](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/bill-of-lading/) - [Linehaul](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/linehaul/) - [White glove service](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/white-glove-service/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Does permanent storage mean my goods cannot be retrieved? No. It is a regulatory status. The goods stay in your name, and you can arrange delivery under the warehouse's rules. ### How long do I have to file a claim after conversion? Section 375.609 says a nine-month period begins on the date of conversion for claims relating to transit or the storage-in-transit period. ### Is vault storage the same thing? No. Vault storage is planned storage you choose. The federal term describes what happens when storage-in-transit ends. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) G Greg S. January 22, 2025 3 O'Brien movers came down from Reno to South Lake Tahoe to assist our company moving a lot of big furniture out of a large warehouse. They showed up on-time, were friendly, and were professional and got the job done quickly and diligently. Will definitely use them again. ### Owner's reply Thanks for the great review Greg! We really appreciate you taking the time to do that for us. We look forward to working with you again! L Leticia H. November 1, 2024 O'Brien's Moving and Storage packing crew were great!! They were fast, friendly and most importantly, very professional. Thank you guys. J Janet M. May 16, 2026 I was so impressed with the way the crew handled and packed each piece of furniture for short term storage. They were polite and professional. I would highly recommend them to anyone planning a move. ### Owner's reply Janet we are so glad to hear that your move was a great success and we sincerely appreciate you providing us with this wonderful review. We will continue to provide you with the best service as we move forward. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070