Puniyo Official Guidelines

Safe Booking Guide for
Packers & Movers.

15 essential rules to protect your money, your belongings, and your peace of mind — before you hire any packer or mover in India.

8 min read

15 safety rules

Official Puniyo

Last updated: Nov 2026

Money & Tax

GST, payments, advance terms & pricing clarity

#	Rule	What to Do / Check
01	GST Details	18% GST applies on combined packers & movers services. Pure goods transport may attract 5%. Always request a GST tax invoice. Verify GSTIN of the vendor. Without a bill, you cannot claim tax benefits and legal protection is weaker.
02	Payment & Vendor	Pay only to the company's registered current account or official QR code — never personal UPI or wallets. Get booking amount and delivery date in writing with a receipt or invoice.
03	Never Pay 100% Advance	Standard practice: 10-20% booking token, half at loading time, and remaining balance only after safe delivery of all goods.
04	Weight vs Volume	Clarify if fare is calculated on total weight or cubic feet. This prevents sudden budget increases at the last minute.

Protection & Safety

Insurance, inventory, prohibited items & inspection

#	Rule	What to Do / Check
05	Transit Insurance	Covers damage, accident, fire or theft during transit. Never skip this. Cost: 1% to 3% of total declared value of goods. Declare correct value upfront to avoid claim disputes.
06	Complete Inventory List	Itemized list of all boxes and large items before shifting. Mark fragile items separately (glass, electronics) and request special bubble packing. Never pack cash, gold or documents — carry personally.
07	Hazardous & Prohibited Items	Gas cylinders, flammable chemicals, paint, acid, firecrackers and explosives cannot legally be transported in moving trucks. Carry such items yourself, safely.
08	Post-Delivery Inspection	Before signing the final delivery slip as "All OK", open and check all boxes and electronics. Note any damage or missing items immediately on the slip.

Logistics & Handling

Extra charges, timings, storage & coordination

#	Rule	What to Do / Check
09	Extra Charges	Floor / stair charges if no lift — fix rate before booking. Long carry fees if truck can't reach your door. Toll & state tax — clarify who pays. Unpacking & assembly — confirm if included.
10	Heavy Vehicle Entry Timings	Many cities restrict entry of large commercial trucks during day hours. Coordinate with vendor in advance to avoid fines and delivery delays.
11	Storage & Warehousing	If new home isn't ready, ask vendor in advance about safe warehousing and daily rates before the move.
12	Driver vs Agency Owner	Do not rely on the truck driver alone. Always have the owner's contact number, office address and visiting card for direct escalation.

Special Cases

Pets, society approvals & emergency escalation

#	Rule	What to Do / Check
13	Pet & Plant Relocation	Closed trucks have no ventilation. Most packers and movers do not accept responsibility for pets or live plants. Transport them in your own vehicle.
14	Society Gate Pass & Lift Permission	In apartments or gated societies, obtain gate pass and lift booking permission from the society office at least a day before shifting, so labour and trucks enter smoothly.
15	Emergency & Disputes	If vendor staff misbehaves or demands extra money during loading or unloading, contact the nearest police station or consumer helpline immediately. Puniyo is a directory platform and does not participate in vendor-customer transactions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to pay the full amount in advance to packers and movers?

No. Standard practice is to pay 10-20% as a booking token, around half at loading time, and the remaining balance only after all goods are safely delivered and inspected. Never pay the full amount upfront.

Is transit insurance mandatory for shifting?

Transit insurance is not legally mandatory in India, but it is strongly recommended for every move. It covers damage, fire, theft and accidents during transit and typically costs 1-3% of the declared value of your goods.

What items cannot be transported by packers and movers?

Gas cylinders, flammable chemicals, paint, acid, firecrackers, explosives, cash, jewellery and important documents should not be transported in moving trucks. Carry these items personally or use a licensed specialized carrier.

Should I declare the correct value of my goods for insurance?

Yes. Always declare the correct replacement cost of your goods. Under-declaring reduces the claim amount in case of damage or loss. Over-declaring increases the premium unnecessarily.

What should I check before signing the delivery slip?

Before signing the final delivery slip as "All OK", open and inspect all boxes, electronics and fragile items. Note any damage, missing items or tampering immediately on the slip. Keep a copy of the signed slip with photos.

How do I verify if a packer and mover is genuine?

Verify the vendor's GSTIN, physical office address, years in business and customer reviews. Ask for a written quotation with GST breakdown, check the vehicle registration, and confirm the payment goes to a registered company bank account — never to personal UPI or wallets.

Is GST applicable on packers and movers services?

Yes. 18% GST applies on combined packing and moving services. Pure goods transport may attract 5% GST. Always request a GST tax invoice from the vendor for legal and tax protection.

What if a vendor demands extra money during unloading?

If a vendor demands extra money not mentioned in the written quotation, refuse and contact the police or consumer helpline immediately. Puniyo is a directory platform and does not participate in vendor-customer financial transactions.

Important

Important Disclaimer & Safety Warning

Puniyo is an online directory platform that connects customers with independent packers and movers. We do not participate in any transaction, booking or payment between you and the vendor. Please read all guidelines above before booking.

Beware of Fraud

Puniyo holds no liability: Any dispute, loss or financial transaction between you and the vendor is strictly between the two parties. Puniyo is not legally responsible.
No commission calls: No Puniyo employee will ever call you asking for commission, booking fees or advance payment. Beware of any such fraudulent calls.

Safe Booking Guide for Packers & Movers.