New rules for interstate household goods carriers and brokers have been delayed indefinitely.

An interim final rule, published June 25, contains a variety of provisions specifying how movers and brokers must assist customers shipping household goods.
Among other things, the rule requires carriers to provide written estimates, have an arbitration program for individual shippers, deliver goods on agreed upon dates, publish "truthful" advertisements containing their names and DOT number, and weigh shipments of customers given non-binding cost estimates.
Brokers would be subject to the same advertising requirements as movers, and movers would be bound by estimates of brokers with whom they have written agreements.
Compliance and enforcement was to begin March 1, 2004, but the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says it will delay compliance indefinitely while it considers several petitions for reconsideration. Petitioners are the American Moving and Storage Assn., United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit. FMCSA says it will publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the new compliance date.
It has also assured movers that they will be given adequate time to prepare for compliance prior to the start of the summer peak moving season, which begins May 15.