Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend a 2 ¾” (70mm) Disc Lock or a 1 ¾” Padlock. Locks can be purchased from PODS or at your local home improvement store.

Cars and motorized vehicles cannnot be placed in a PODS container but there are two trusted partners that we can recommend for vehicle transport:

Mr. Car Shipper

1-877-866-2892, Email: podscustomer@mrcarshipper.com 
 
Acertus
1-877-231-4142, Email: podscustomer@acertusdelivers.com

No, cars, motorized vehicles and lawnmowers are not allowed to be transported in PODS containers.

Items that are considered hazardous materials, flammable/combustible liquids and solids, compressed gases, perishable, biological substances, explosives, radioactive, and illegal are strictly prohibited from being stored and/or moved in a PODS container. This includes but isn’t limited to:

• Items with non-removable lithium batteries (e-bikes, power tools, children’s toys, electronics, appliances, etc.); lithium batteries must be removed from these items
• Lawn mowers
• Motorcycles and dirt bikes
• Motorized scooters, golf carts, off-highway vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft
• Machinery, generators, grills, smokers, and fire pits with oils, fuel, gases, liquids, and/or other substances
• Ammunition
• Items containing corrosives, mercury, bleach, ammonia, etc.
• Propane tanks, oxygen tanks, aerosols, etc.
• Fireworks and flares
• Solvent-based paints, varnishes, and finishes
• Nail polish and nail polish remover
• Cleaning supplies
• Weed killers, fertilizers, pesticides, etc.
• Pool chemicals
• Alcohol and tobacco

Other items we do not recommend storing and/or moving in a PODS container:

• Food
• Pet food
• Birth certificates, social security cards, passports, visas, and other personal records
• Medication
• Medical equipment
• Firearms and other weapons
• Heirlooms
• Irreplaceable artifacts
• Precious metal, jewelry, stamps, watches, furs, stones, artwork, and other high-value items
• Currency in any form
• Credit and debit cards
• Financial documents, securities, deeds, legal notices, etc.
• Media or data stored on hard drives
• Live plants
• Items that aren’t your personal property

Additionally, human and/or animal habitation is strictly prohibited. Refer to your rental agreement for more information. 

You can access your PODS container as often as needed with no additional charges. Before you can visit your container, you'll need to schedule the visit to our Service Center with ample notice (usually 24-48 hours). Container access can be scheduled through chat or by calling our service team.
Reach out to our Customer Care Team at (877) 770-PODS for assistance.

“Hazardous Materials” shall include but not be limited to any hazardous or toxic chemical, gas, liquid, substance, material or waste that is or becomes regulated under any applicable local, state or federal law or regulation.
For further information on hazardous materials please refer to your Rental Agreement. If you are not a current customer, feel free to chat with one of our agents online after you run a quote.

If you're having trouble opening your container door, items may have shifted during transit. Please visit our container help page for assistance. If you still need help with your door, you can reach out to our Customer Care Team who will schedule a time for your local PODS team to assist you.

The maximum weight limit for our containers are:
8’ Container = 5,200 lbs 12’ Container = 4,700 lbs 16’ Container = 4,200 lbs
Customers do not have to calculate their content's weight, so the weight limits should be used as a guideline when packing the container. If you're concerned that you may be approaching the maximum weight, pick out your heaviest items and look for comparable items online. Most retail websites will list the weight of their items. The total weight of your heaviest items shouldn't exceed 75% of the total allowed weight. Heavy items to consider are appliances, sofas, large entertainment centers, bookcases, bedroom chests, safes, exercise equipment, pianos and pool tables.

Although the container's interior may depend on the model and size you receive, our containers are open spaces without obstructions or shelving.
There are wooden beams every 3-4 feet and in some models, tie down hooks are installed on the wood beams.
Pictures of a partially packed container can be found on our Loading page.

To report damages, customers can call the toll free number 1-866-351-3724.

PODS offers two types of protection options - Container Only Option (COO), and Contents Protection Option (CPO). Below, you will find basic information on both options including price ranges. 

1. Container Only Option (COO): Pursuant to the terms of the PODS’ rental agreement, you are responsible for any damage to the container while the container is in your care and possession. This option gives you the opportunity to protect yourself against financial loss in the event the PODS container itself suffers any damage. PODS charges one low price per month for this coverage. Damage to the container however will not be covered if the damage was caused by your willful or intentional acts or items stored in the container prohibited by the PODS’ rental agreement.

2. Contents Protection Option (CPO): Events may occur that may cause damage to your items stored in our PODS container and also damage to the container itself. Your items may have little or no coverage under homeowners or renters insurance policies. Additionally, PODS is not responsible for damage to your stored property and our rental agreement requires you to maintain coverage for your personal property stored in our container, so it is important to find coverage for your possessions. You are also responsible for any damage to the container under our rental agreement. As a solution, we offer CPO. Your contents and the container will be covered from a variety of risks under this option. Certain exclusions and limitations apply. Please either call a PODS sales agent for full coverage details or you may consult the PODS’ CPO brochure for more information.
PODS’ Contents Protection Option (CPO) gives you the choice of how much coverage you would prefer based on the declared value of the contents you intend to store in a PODS container. The prices range from $34.95/month for a declared value of $5,000, up to $439.95/month (US) for the maximum declared value of $300,000. Please call a PODS’ sales agent for full pricing details.

There are no shelves in the PODS containers.

While the container is at your location, please make sure to keep the roll up door locked when you are not accessing the container.

Yes, PODS offers Container Only Option (COO). Pursuant to the terms of the PODS’ rental agreement, you are responsible for any damage to the container while the container is in your care and possession. This option gives you the opportunity to protect yourself against financial loss in the event the PODS container itself suffers any damage. PODS charges one low price per month for this coverage. Damage to the container however will not be covered if the damage was caused by your willful or intentional acts or items stored in the container prohibited by the PODS’ rental agreement.

Damage resulting from improper packing, normal shifting or intentional acts by the customer to the contents or the container is not protected. PODS will also not assume liability for burglary and/or theft of personal property for on-site containers. Additional details are outlined in the Contents Protection Option Addendum.

The Container Only Options will cover losses or damages to the container due to lightning, windstorm, hail, fire, smoke explosion, vandalism, riot, malicious mischief, falling objects, or auto accidents that may require a police report. For further information please refer to the Container Protection Options page.

In order to cancel, add, or decrease the amount of CPO or COO, please call one of our customer care representatives at the number at the top of the page. Coverage can only be added or increased prior to the initial delivery of the empty container to your location. If you have coverage and wish to cancel, please keep in mind that once the coverage is cancelled, it can't be added back to the account.

The PODS delivery truck is equipped with our revolutionary hydraulic lift system, PODZILLA®, designed to reduce shifting of your contents. It securely transports the PODS container to and from your location.

PODS containers are permitted at most locations. If PODS is aware of regulations in your area, you will be informed at the time you place your order.

PODS containers are weather-resistant. The container is designed to protect your items against typical weather conditions such as falling rain and snow.

Most of our containers have eyelets every 4 feet and our newer containers have e-track slots. The customer is responsible for providing their own straps.

Unfortunately, we do not sell PODS® containers. When customers are looking for a flexible storage option, though, most people find us to be a great solution for their needs.

PODS containers are designed to accommodate a typical household. Larger households will require multiple containers. In general, each 8’ PODS container (Interior: 6’6”x6’x7’6”) may accommodate 1 room, each 12’ PODS container (Interior: 11’6”x7’x7’6”) may accommodate 2-3 rooms, and each 16’ PODS container (Interior: 15’6”x7’x7’6”) may accommodate 3-4 rooms. As every household is different, the customer is responsible for assessing the container capacity for their belongings. PODS container sizes are approximate.

PODS containers have been determined to withstand wind velocities of up to 110 mph winds when fully loaded, depending on weather conditions and container placement.

Our containers have reflective tape on each corner of the container.

PODS will not be responsible for valuable items that are listed in the rental agreement and should not be put into the container. A few such items are: jewelry, furs, firearms, computer programs, antiques, collectibles, credit cards and certain other invaluable and irreplaceable items. A detailed list of exclusions is outlined in the Content Protection Option Addendum.

PODS containers are made of a steel frame with specially designed, aluminum skin panels. PODS containers also provide ambient, natural light to illuminate the inside of the container. Plus, there is a light-weight steel roll up door.