Moving trucks must stop at Florida agriculture stations

Most private cars pass a Florida agriculture station without stopping, but a moving truck must pull in.

Florida requires trucks, rental trucks, vans, trailers, and any vehicle carrying farm, plant, or animal goods to stop for inspection. A private car with no trailer may pass when it carries none of those goods. These are not toll booths or welcome centers. The checks help keep pests and plant or animal disease out of the state while protecting the food supply.

That rule can surprise a family during a move. Houseplants brought from another state usually need an inspection paper. When the old state does not offer that service, Florida also describes a route that lets inspectors follow up at the plants’ new address. Citrus trees and plant parts need a special permit, while citrus fruit follows a different rule.

Before packing plants, bees, livestock, produce, soil, or farm goods, check the Florida import rule for that item. A rental moving truck still belongs in the inspection lane even when most of the load is ordinary household property.

Keep any inspection paper with the load so the stop is easy to explain. It is much simpler to sort out one plant before the move than at the state line.