--- title: What Is Tare Weight? Moving Glossary | O'Brien's url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/tare-weight/ 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/) - Tare weight # What is tare weight? Tare weight is the weight of the moving vehicle with its pads, dollies and equipment but without your shipment. Your billing weight is the gross weight of the loaded truck minus the tare, and 49 CFR 375.509 sets three conditions both weighings must meet. 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/) Nobody puts a sofa on a scale. A moving truck is weighed twice, empty and loaded, and the gap between the two is your shipment. Tare is the empty side of that subtraction, and getting it right is the difference between an honest invoice and an arguable one. ## The subtraction Federal rule 375.509(a) allows two methods. In the origin weigh, the mover finds the difference between the tare weight before loading and the gross weight of the same vehicle after loading. In the back weigh, it takes the gross weight with the shipment loaded and subtracts the tare after unloading. In both, the result is the net weight and the figure freight charges rest on. ## The three conditions Each condition removes something that would move the number: loose equipment, a driver's weight, a few hundred pounds of diesel. The scale must also be certified, which 375.103 defines as one inspected and certified by an authorized authority. - The vehicle must carry all pads, dollies, hand trucks, ramps and other equipment needed for the shipment, at both weighings - The driver and other persons must be off the vehicle during each weighing - The fuel tanks must be full at each weighing, or, on an origin weigh, the mover must not add fuel between the two ## The weight ticket Each weighing produces a weight ticket, signed by the weigh master, and 375.519 requires the ticket to identify the entries as tare, gross or net. It also names the scale, the date, the vehicle, your last name and the bill of lading number. The freight bill must include true copies of all weight tickets. When you read yours, find the word tare on one line and gross on the other. ## Your right to watch Section 375.513 gives you the right to observe every weighing, and the mover must tell you where and when each one happens. If you choose not to watch, you are presumed to have waived that right for the weighing. After you are told the billing weight and charges, and before unloading begins on an origin-weighed shipment, you may demand a reweigh under 375.517. See [reweigh](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/reweigh/). ## Small shipments For a shipment of 3,000 pounds or less, 375.511 permits a platform or warehouse certified scale before loading or after unloading instead of weighing the truck. If your load is that small, ask the estimator which method applies. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.509 determining weight](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-E/section-375.509) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.519 weight tickets](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-E/section-375.519) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.103 certified scale](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-A/section-375.103) ### 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 - [Weight ticket](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/weight-ticket/) - [Reweigh](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/reweigh/) - [Constructive weight](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/constructive-weight/) Moving glossary ## Read next - [Peak season](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/peak-season/) - [In home survey](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/in-home-survey/) - [Virtual survey](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/virtual-survey/) - [Permanent storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/permanent-storage/) - [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/) 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/). ### What is gross weight? Gross is the loaded truck. Net, your shipment, is gross minus tare. ### Can I be there for the weighing? Yes. Section 375.513 gives the shipper the right to observe all weighings, and the mover must tell you where and when. ### Does a local move inside Nevada use tare weight? Local moves are often priced by time and crew. Weight-based pricing and the federal weighing rules apply to interstate shipments. ## 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) B Bruce E. December 25, 2024 My family moved exclusively with Bekins when I was young and O'Brien's made it a pleasure to return to this fine local company. I would be pleased to have any members of O'Brien's as friends and highly recommend O'Brien's to anyone needing the services they provide! ### Owner's reply Bruce thank you so much for taking the time to review our company. It was an extreme pleasure to work for you, please do not hesitate to call us for any help you need in the future. 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. M Michelle C. August 28, 2024 Extremely happy with the moving experience. The moving team showed up on time, friendly and polite. They did a wonderful job moving our boxes and furniture to the new location. We moved a three bedroom home and I could not be more pleased with the employees who assisted with the move. Highly recommend O'Brien moving for your move. ### Owner's reply Michelle, thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. We are so happy to hear about the move experience you had with our company and glad to know we met your expectations! It means a lot to us to know that. Thank you for choosing us as your moving partner. ## 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