--- title: What Is Storage in Transit? Rules and Timing url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-is-storage-in-transit/ 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 guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - What is storage in transit? # What is storage in transit? Storage in transit, or SIT, is temporary warehouse storage of your long-distance shipment before it reaches your door, and your mover must tell you in writing at least 10 days before it ends. If the period runs out, the goods convert to permanent storage and a 9-month window for claims begins. 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/) Few moves line up perfectly. The closing on a new house slips, the apartment is not ready or construction runs long, and the shipment is already on the road. Storage in transit is the planned answer: the goods wait in a warehouse near the destination until you are ready. ## How it works On an interstate move, you may ask your mover to store your household goods before delivering them. The shipment stays under the bill of lading, which is what separates SIT from a separate storage contract. The length of storage you can use is set in the mover's tariff, so ask for the maximum period and how charges are applied. ## The notice you must receive When the period is about to expire, the mover must notify you in writing at least 10 days before the end of the specified period or the tariff maximum. If the goods are held for less than 10 days, the notice is due one day before. The notice must give four items: the date SIT converts to permanent storage, the existence of a 9-month period after that date to file claims for loss or damage during transit or SIT, the fact that the mover's liability ends, and the fact that your property is then subject to the rules, regulations and charges of the warehouse. If the mover fails to notify you, its liability continues under the tariff. ## SIT and the Reno end of a Bekins move When O'Brien's handles the Reno end of a Bekins move, shipments can wait in the Sparks warehouse before delivery to a home in the area. O'Brien's runs a 30,000 square foot warehouse at 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, with full-service wooden vaults. The [warehouse page](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/our-warehouse/) shows the facility, and [storage between moves](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/storage-between-moves/) covers longer waits. ## SIT, vault storage and long-term storage SIT is a short bridge inside one shipment. When goods are meant to stay for months, a separate arrangement such as [vault storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/vault-storage/) is the better fit. O'Brien's vault storage starts from $40 per month, with wooden vaults 7 ft x 7 ft x 5 ft. Allow about 2 to 3 weeks of notice to ship stored goods out of a vault. ## Questions to ask - How long can my shipment stay in SIT under the tariff? - Where is the warehouse and will the goods stay in one place? - How will I be notified of the end date, and by whom? - What does redelivery from storage involve? - What coverage applies while the goods are stored? ### 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) - [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) ### 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 - [Full-service vault storage in Sparks](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/) - [Short-term storage between homes (storage in transit)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/storage-between-moves/) - [Pickup and delivery spreads on long-distance moves](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/delivery-spread-explained/) Moving guides ## Read next - [What movers will not move (hazardous items)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-movers-will-not-move/) - [Are moving expenses tax deductible? (IRS)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-expenses-and-taxes/) - [The 8-week moving checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-checklist/) - [Long-distance moving checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/long-distance-moving-checklist/) - [Office relocation checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/office-moving-checklist/) - [Senior moving checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/senior-moving-checklist/) - [The best time of year to move in Northern Nevada](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/best-time-to-move/) - [How far ahead to book movers](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-far-ahead-to-book-movers/) 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/). ### Is storage in transit the same as long-term storage? No. SIT is temporary and part of the shipping contract. Long-term storage is a separate arrangement for goods that will stay. ### Can I visit goods in SIT? Ask the mover. Access depends on the warehouse and the tariff. ### What happens at the end of the SIT period? The goods convert to permanent storage under the warehouse's rules, with the written notice and the 9-month claims window described above. ## 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) F Francie H. February 20, 2026 We were referred to O'Brien's Moving and Storage though a friend in Reno. We couldn't be more pleased with the Professionalism and Service. They were quick to set up Luke to come out and give us a quote and scheduled the actual move date right away. Luke was on time for our quote as were the movers on our moving day. All three of the gentlemen who moved us were professional and courteous from start to finish. From the initial phone call to the completion of our move, we felt like we were treated as family. We would definitely use them again and recommend O'Brien's Moving and Storage to our friends in the future. ### Owner's reply Francie, Thank you for this amazing review. The result you have expressed is exactly what we all strive to accomplish. I love that you walked away knowing you are now a part of the O'Brien's family, whenever you need us we are a phone call away! I will let the movers know about the kind words expressed about them, that will be very satisfying for all of them. We will look forward to any referrals you send our way, thank you for the opportunity! M Mark S. January 22, 2026 Great company and local. They take great care of your moving needs. They are very accommodating and quick to respond. Highly recommend them for your moving needs and storage needs. Thanks to the O'Brien team for doing a fantastic job. 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! ## 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