"It's Your Move Military" will help you understand your entitlements and responsibilities concerning shipment of household goods, unaccompanied baggage, boats and firearms. It also has an excellent explanation of how to file a claim for any loss or damage.
"It's Your Move Civilian" will help you understand your entitlements and responsibilities concerning shipment of household goods, unaccompanied baggage, boats and firearms. It also has an excellent explanation of how to file a claim for any loss or damage.
"Know Before You Go" contains everything U.S. residents should know before they go abroad.
"Shipping Your POV" and "Storing Your POV" explain your entitlements to ship or store your Privately Owed Vehicle if you receive overseas orders.
"Moving Your Mobile Home" will help you understand your entitlement and responsibilities in the movement of your mobile home. Your transportation office will make all arrangements to schedule the movement, if you desire. History has shown that moving your mobile home will most likely result in excess transportation costs, which you are responsible for paying.
"Don't Move Gypsy Moth" explains regulations requiring residents of the Mid Atlantic region area to inspect their outdoor goods for Gypsy Moth prior to loading and shipping. Failure to inspect household articles for gypsy moth life stages prior to movement from a regulated area is a violation of USDA quarantine regulations and may result in significant civil penalties. Inspecting your personal property for gypsy moths goes beyond being a good neighbor: it is required by law.
"Defense Transportation Regulation" prescribes policies and procedures and assigns responsibilities for performing traffic management functions initiated or sponsored by Department of Defense/United States Coast Guard (DOD/USCG) members/employees and non-appropriated fund (NAF) employees for the movement and storage of personal property and mobile homes.
"Joint Travel Regulations" is the authoritative source for regulations pertaining to per diem, travel and transportation allowances, relocation allowances, and certain other allowances. Volume 1 applies to Uniformed Service members (including both regular and reserve components) while Volume 2 applies to civilian members.
You are authorized shipment of household goods in one lot. The authorized destinations for your personal property are:
New permanent duty station
TDY station
Home of record (separation move)
Place of entry in the Service (separation move)
Designated location, as determined by your orders and the Joint Federal Travel Regulations
Home of selection (retirement move)
Other locations, but subject to excess costs.
Household goods are defined as items associated with the home and all personal effects belonging to a member and dependents on the effective date of the member's PCS or TDY orders that legally may be accepted and transported by an authorized commercial transporter. HHG's include:
Professional, books, paper, and equipment (PBP&E) not needed for the performance of official duties at the next or a later destination. Spouse Pro-Gear NTE 500 pounds.
Spare parts for a privately owned vehicle (POV) to include a pick-up tailgate when removed.
Integral or attached vehicle parts that must be removed due to high vulnerability to pilferage or damage (e.g., seats, tops, winch, spare tires, portable auxiliary gasoline cans, and miscellaneous associated hardware).
Consumable goods for members ordered to locations listed in JFTR, Appendix F.
Vehicles other than POVs, such as motorcycles, mopeds, jet skis, hang gliders, snowmobiles, and their associated trailers, and golf carts.
Boats (boats exceeding 14 feet, contact the local Transportation Office to determine if excess cost is involved).
Ultra light vehicles for recreation or sport purposes; weighing less than 155 pounds if not powered or less than 254 pounds if powered; fuel capacity not to exceed 5 gallons; airspeed not to exceed 55 knots; and power-off stall speed not to exceed 24 knots.
HHG's do not include:
Personal baggage when carried free on tickets (airlines, train etc.,) commonly known as ACCOMPANIED BAGGAGE.
Automobiles, trucks, vans and similar motor vehicles; airplanes; mobile homes; camper trailers; and farming vehicles.
Live animals including birds, fish and reptiles.
Articles that would normally qualify as HHG but are acquired after the effective date of PCS orders, except bonafide replacements of articles that have become inadequate, worn out, broken, or unserviceable on or after the effective date of orders.
Cordwood, chain link fencing, and building materials.
HHG for resale, disposal or commercial use rather than for use by the member and his/her dependents
Privately owned live ammunition.
Explosives, corrosives (batteries), or hazardous materials such as paints and aerosol cans.
Unaccompanied baggage consists of items you will need immediately on arrival at destination, pending receipt of your household goods. It is packed and shipped separately from your household goods. Items most often included are seasonal clothing, essential linens, cooking utensils and dishes, baby cribs and infant-care articles, a small radio, portable television and items required for health and comfort. You should also include professional books, papers and equipment needed immediately to perform your official duties. If included, the weight of professional items is not included in the weight charged toward your maximum authorization. Each branch of the armed services has rules regarding when and how much unaccompanied baggage may be shipped. After reviewing your orders, the counselor at the transportation office can determine your unaccompanied baggage entitlement.
As an alternative to shipment of household goods, you may place your property into non-temporary storage. If you choose this option, the property cannot be moved again until you receive new orders.
Your weight allowance is established under provisions of the Joint Federal Travel Regulations and is the maximum weight you can move at government expense. This allowance includes the weight of household goods you ship, place in storage or send as unaccompanied baggage and goods you already have in storage. Your allowance is based on two factors; your paygrade and whether you have dependents.
You - not your transportation officer or the carrier - are responsible for staying within your weight allowance. If the weight of items packed, shipped or stored exceeds your weight allowance, you must pay all charges connected with the excess weight. For this reason, estimating the weight of your household goods is very important. Estimates should start early, even before you visit your transportation office to set up the move. The counselor at your transportation office will need an estimated weight for each shipment you intend to make.
An easy and fairly dependable method for making this estimate is to figure 1,000 pounds per fully furnished room (not including storage rooms or bathrooms) or 500 pounds per partially furnished room. Then add the estimated weight of large appliances and items in the garage, storage rooms, basement, etc. The weight of professional books, papers and equipment doesn't count against your allowance. The link below will take you to a more accurate weight estimator, but remember, it is only an estimate. Weight estimates are planning tools only and are not official. You can never use weight estimates to refute excess weight charges.
To avoid excess weight charges, stay within your authorized weight allowance by estimating early and disposing of unnecessary possessions. When you receive a notification for exceeding your weight allowance, check it carefully. Often you may not have received credit for professional books, papers and equipment or some other entitlement. If you have any question concerning your excess weight, contact your transportation office. You are entitled to have your shipment reweighed prior to delivery at destination. A request for a reweigh can be made through the transportation office either at origin or at destination prior to delivery.
PCS weight allowances do not apply when:
Vacating government or government-controlled quarters upon separation and retirement when ordered to vacate by competent authority and movement is to a local residence pending election of home of record/selection
Moving to occupy government or government-controlled quarters
Vacating local economy quarters in compliance with orders
Regardless if these items meet the definition of household goods described earlier, the following items are not authorized for shipment with your household goods:
Combustible Liquids:
Alcoholic beverages (any single container exceeding one (1) gallon capacity)
Alcohols
Antifreeze compounds
Camphor oil
Fluid cleaners (containing combustible materials, e.g., spot clothing cleaners and
Lighter fluids (pocket, charcoal, camp stove, lamp or torch)
Liquors (any single container exceeding one (1) gallon capacity)
Matches
Oil stains for wood
Paint
Paint or varnish remover
Petroleum products
Polishes, liquid (metal, stove, furniture and wood) '
Propane tanks
Propane or other gas used for cooking or heating purposes
Shellac
Shoe polish (liquid)
Solvents, plastic
Stains
Turpentine
Varnish
Wood filler
Compressed gases
Engine starting fluids, fire extinguishers and gases used in welding.
Aerosol Cans
Other regulated material termed combustible, corrosive or flammable
Scuba Diving Tanks: Only those scuba diving tanks containing not more than 25 pounds per square inch at 70 degrees Fahrenheit may be shipped as household goods or unaccompanied baggage. Servicing scuba diving tanks for shipment will include:
Written certification of purging serviced by dive shop or licensed individual qualified to perform purging. (A tag or label must be affixed to the tank certifying service was performed.)
Completely empty tank, remove the valve, and replace valve with plug designed for this purpose.
Propane Tanks: As of May 5, 2000 propane tanks can no longer be shipped in your Government Procured Household Goods move. Propane tanks are considered hazardous materials regardless if they are purged or not.
The size of your household goods shipment determines how much time is need for packing and pick-up. The following rules of thumb will give you an idea how much time should be allotted for packing your household:
NOTE: Estimates Only
Weight Estimate
Packing
Pick-up
Less than 4,000 lbs
1 Day
Same Day
4,000 lbs to 8,000 lbs
2 Days
1 Day
8,000 lbs to 12,000 lbs
3 Days
1 Day
More than 12,000 lbs
4 Days
1 Day
Carriers generally will not pack or pick up on holidays or weekends. During the peak moving season from June through August, available dates fill quickly, so contact your transportation office early if you are planning to move during these months. Your preferred packing and pick-up dates should not be any sooner than 10 calendar days from the date you submit your paperwork.
The distance and weight of your shipment determines how many days the carrier is allowed to get your household goods to the destination. Your shipment could arrive at an earlier date, but this is entirely up to the carrier. Your shipment's Required Delivery Date will be recorded in your Bill of Lading (block 8). The required delivery date will not necessarily be the delivery date your residence, but is the carrier's deadline to get the shippment to the destination agent. Delivery to your residence will need to be coordinated with your destination transportation office.
If you know your estimated weight and mileage, visit our transit time guide to determine the approximate number of days for your household goods to arrive at their destination: Transit Times. If your carrier does not arrive by the required delivery date, you may be entitled to compensation by filing an inconvenience claim.
Be sure to make contact with the Transportation Office that services your destination and provide them with an enroute point of contact (cell phone number, e-mail address, or relative) so that they can keep you advised of your shipment.
Professional Books, Papers and Equipment (PRO GEAR/PBP&E)
1. Military Members:
a. PBP&E/Pro-Gear is defined as: HHG in a member's possession needed for the performance of official duties at the next or a later destination. If you have PBP&E/Pro-Gear to declare, you must do so at the time of counseling (at your TO or during Self-Counseling in DPS). Your estimated weight will be printed on your DD Form 1299 or the word "None" will be present if you do not declare a weight for PBP&E/Pro-Gear. You also must separate professional items from the rest of your property so they may be packed, marked, and weighed separately.
b. When properly listed on the inventory and weighed, the weight of PBP&E/Pro-Gear does not count against the total weight of your shipment(s). Before signing your inventory prepared by the TSP(s), be sure these items are listed as "PBP&E/Pro-Gear" and not as "books" or "miscellaneous". the proper designation of these items and the exclusion of the weight can be very important.
c. The following items are considered PBP&E/Pro-Gear:
1. Reference material.
2. Instruments, tools and equipment peculiar to technicians, mechanics, and members of the professions.
3. Specialized clothing such as diving suits, flying suits; astronaut's suits, flying suits and helmets, band uniforms, chaplain's vestments and other specialized apparel not normal or usual uniform or clothing.
4. Communicaitons equipment used by a member in association with the Military Affiliated Radio System.
5. Individually owned or specially issued field clothing and equipment.
6. An official award given to a member by a Service (or a component thereof) for service performed by the member in the member's capacity or by a professional society/organization/US or foreign Government for significant contributions In Connection With (ICW) official duties.
7. Personal computers and accompanying equipment used for offician Government business (i.e., Central Procession Unit (CPU), monitor, keyboard, mouse, 1 printer, 1 set of small computer speakers).
NOTE: Exclude from PBP&E/Pro-Gear are commercial products for sale/resale used in conducting business, sports equipment, and office, househould, or shop fixtures or furniture (such as bookcases, study/computer desks, file cabinets, and racks) of any kind even though used ICW the PBP&E/Pro-Gear.
d. Reminder: The estimated weight of PBP&E/Pro-Gear must be provided during counseling and annotated on DD Form 1299.
2. Military Member's Dependent Spouse:
a. Member's Dependent Spouse PBP&E/PRO-Gear. The Service concerned may authorize an additional weight NTE 500 pounds for PBP&E/PRO-Gear that belongs to the member's spouse when on a permanent change of station. PBP&E/PRO-Gear for a member's spouse must meet the definition of spouse PBP&:E/PRO-Gear in JFTR, Appendix A, and is necessary for employment or community support activities at the next duty station or a later destination. The shipment of PBP&E/PRO-Gear for a member's spouse will be in the same manner and under the same conditions as other HHG. PBP&E/PRO-Gear will be identified as belonging to the spouse, packed, weighed and inventoried separately, to include listing the actual weight of PBP&E/PRO-Gear.
NOTE: Spouse PBP&E/PRO-Gear is not applicable to an employee's dependent spouse.
b. The following items are considered PBP&E/Pro-Gear:
1. Reference material.
2. Instruments, tools, and equipment peculiar to technicians, mechanics, and member's of the professions.
3. Specialized clothing such as diviing suits, flying suits and helmets, band uniforms, nurse uniforms, chaplains' vestments, and other specialized apparel not normal or usual uniform or clothing.
4. Personal computers and accompanying equipment used for business or community suport activities (i.e., CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse, 1 printer, 1 set of small computer speakers).
NOTE: Excluded from PBP&E/Pro-Gear are commercial products for sale/resale used in conducting business, sports equipment, and office, household, or shop fixtures or furniture (such as bookcases, study/computer desks, file cabinets, and racks) of any kind even though used ICW the PBP&E/Pro-Gear.
Members are authorized Storage in Transit for up to 90 days in conjunction with a PCS move. The Transportation Office may approve additional periods of storage in 90 day increments, but these requests must be submitted in writing and will be normally only be approved under certain conditions:
Intervening TDY or long-term training assignment,
Nonavailability of suitable housing,
Completion of residence under construction,
Serious employee illness,
Dependent illness or death,
Strikes,
Acts of God,
Other circumstances beyond the member's control
If a member allows the Storage in Transit time expire, storage charges from that day on and liability for loss and damage become the member's responsibility. The member will make payments for storage services directly to the storage firm, but the member is still entitled to a delivery and unpacking at government expense.
Members ordered on a PCS with TDY enroute are entitled to have their property placed into non-temporary storage for the period of the TDY. The property stored at government expense under this provision may not exceed the member's PCS weight allowance. If the member does not use non-temporary storage at origin and elects to ship to destination, any storage utilized is chargeable to their entitlement.
Certain circumstances may warrant an extension of this temporary storage entitlement. You must apply for an extension by completing a DD Form 1857 if you need to keep your personal property in temporary storage beyond 90 days.
You may unknowingly incur excess costs in shipping your household goods that will be your responsibility to pay. The following list describes things you can do to avoid excess personal costs associated with your move:
Extra services - Avoid requesting specific routing, special loading, or any other service that is not routinely provided, and avoid exceeding the authorized weight allowance.
Excess Weight - Members should be aware that the total combined weight of all shipments, including goods in storage, must not exceed your authorized weight as defined in the Joint Federal Travel Regulation.
Extra shipments - When basic household goods shipments from the same point of origin are going to the same destination, avoid asking for separate shipments.
Excess distance - Members should use care in not allowing their shipments to exceed the distance between authorized points specified in the Joint Federal Travel Regulations. For example, if orders permit shipment of goods from San Diego, CA to Dallas, TX the goods should not be shipped from San Diego to Norfolk, VA.
Loss and damage coverage - Members should not request increased valuation or full replacement coverage unless they are prepared to pay the additional cost for the coverage.
Unauthorized items - Avoid shipping unauthorized articles. If unauthorized articles are discovered in shipments after pickup, the member will incur additional cost.
Avoid attempt charges - Members or their designated representatives are required to be available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the scheduled pickup or delivery address on the date the packers and movers are scheduled to arrive.
Special Items and Situations - If movers determine pests are present at the pickup address and depart without a pickup, members may be charged for an attempted pickup.
For OCONUS moves, boats that don't fit in a standard overseas container must be shipped One Time Only (OTO) rate. Almost all boats and/or boats with trailers won't fit in a standard overseas container, therefore must be shipped under an OTO boat rate, which would mean excess cost to the member. Any boat over 14' or with a trailer for CONUS moves will also mean excess cost to the member.
If you will not be available for the pickup or delivery of your property, you can designate an agent to act on your behalf. This individual can be your spouse, family member (over 18), a friend, co-worker, etc. If you have an emergency on the pickup day, you can designate an agent by leaving written authorization, naming the agent. The agent gives this authorization to the carrier. You may designate agents by using a Power of Attorney or Informal Letter of Authority. Also, if you leave your residence and leave the movers alone, they will stop working and you may be charged waiting time.
Full replacement Value (FRV) Protection is an important new benefit for the Military Service Members, Department of Defense Civilian Emplyees and DoD Families. Most personal property shipments are eligible for FRV protection starting in fall 2007. FRV protection is available at no additonal cost to DoD members.
CLAIMS FOR FULL REPLACEMENT VALUE COVERAGE
1. Full Replacement Value (FRV) for Lost or Destroyed Items. If you file your claim directly with the carrier within 9 months of delivery, the carrier is required to replace any item that is lost or destroyed with a new item, or pay you the cost of a new item of the same kind and quality, without deducting for depreciation. An item is destroyed if it cannot be repaired, or if the cost of repair would exceed the cost of a new item. The carrier is not required to replace items which can be repaired for less than the Full Replacement Value of the item. The carrier is only required to arrange for the repair of those items, or to pay for the cost of the repairs. Repair will be to the extent necessary to restore the item to its condition when it was received by the carrier.
2. Timely Notice. In order to be paid for an item, the loss or damage to the item must be reported to the carrier within 75 days of the date of delivery. The carrier's agent should list all missing or damaged items that are discovered on the day of delivery on a DD Form 1840, which you will also sign. Three copies of this form will be left with you by the carrier. Items discovered missing or damaged after delivery must be listed on the reverse side of the DD Form 1840, known as the the DD Form 1840R, and mailed to the carrier within 75 days after delivery. Alternatively, the DD Form 1840R may be brought to the nearest military claims office within 70 days, which will mail it for you.
3. Claims Must Be Filed Within 9 Months to Receive FRV. Submission of a DD Form 1840R does not constitute the filing of a claim. You must submit a written demand for a specific amount, listing the items lost or damaged, to the carrier within 9 months after the date of delivery. The carrier will provide instructions on how to file a claim. You do not need to obtain estimates of repair in order to file your claim. The carrier is responsible for obtaining estimates, if you file your claim directly with the carrier within 9 months of delivery. Do not delay filing your claim past the nine month deadline in order to get additional information you think the carrier may need. If your claim has been timely filed, additional information may be presented at a later time.
4. Limits of Liability. A carrier is liable for a minimum of $5,000 on any shipment, regardless of the shipment's weight. For shipments that weigh more than 1,250 pounds, liability is limited to $4.00 per pound times the weight of your shipment, up to a maximum of $50,000. If the amount of your loss exceeds the carrier's maximum liability, you may file a claim with the Army for any loss in excess of the carrier's payment. However, the Army can only pay the depreciated replacement value or repair cost, whichever is less, for those items for which the carrie did not pay.
5. Filing a Claim with the MCO. You still have the right to file a claim with the Military Claims Office, within two years after the date of delivery. However, if you do, you will only be paid depreciated value for lost or destroyed items. If you file with the carrier within 9 months, but are unwilling to accept the carrier's offer for certain items, you can file a claim for those items with the MCO. the MCO will then pay you their depreciated value, but will attempt to recover FRV from the carrier (if the carrier is liable for the item) and will pay you the difference between FRV and depreciated value when it is recovered.
You are entitled to a LEGIBLE COPY of each of these documents.
Household Goods Descriptive Inventory: This is your official record of what is being shipped. Make sure all items are listed. The form is completed by the movers in coordination with you, the member or agent. It should accurately describe the items you are shipping and the condition of each.
If movers observe damage to your goods prior to pickup, they note this on the line by the item on the inventory. If you disagree with these exceptions noted at the time of pick-up, you must circle the inventory number you disagree with. Then enter the inventory number in "Remarks/Exceptions" section of the inventory with the phrase, "I protest exceptions taken by the driver at time of pick-up." Your signature on the inventory is your concurrence with the count and condition of each item listed.
DD Form 619: This form is used for CONUS household goods shipments only. It lists the following:
The number of cartons used to pack your shipment. (The number column should be completed before you sign.)
The weight of professional items
Additional services performed
Appliances at origin
Bill Of Lading: This document shows you the following critical information:
Bill of Lading number (B/L NO.) used to track the shipment
