There is nothing more constant than change, and moving can be a big one. The following FAQ sections can help you learn what you can expect before, during and after moving and how you can prepare for a smooth transition.
- Preparing for Your Move
- 7-Day Spread Window Policy
- Shipping Privately Owned Vehicles or POVs
- Containerization – Crating
- Moving Days – Packing, Pickup and Delivery
- Inconvenience Claims
- Loss and Damage Claims
- After Your Move
- PCS Passenger and Pet Transportation
Preparing for Your Move
Yes. Official orders or a Letter-In-Lieu of Orders have specific information the transportation office needs to book a move. Your orders or letter will have a funding line, your current and future duty stations, and show whether you have family members or other dependents authorized to move under those orders.
Letter-In-Lieu of Orders Note: You will be responsible for all PCS costs if your move is cancelled or destination changes prior to receipt of official orders. You need to provide a copy of your official orders to the transportation office upon receipt.
Yes. Since the entitlements and rules that govern these types of moves are a bit more complex, you must talk with your local transportation office to get this setup. This will ensure you know what to expect and can make a smooth move. Use the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS tool to find the contact information for your local transportation office.
No, you don’t need to know your final delivery address to schedule a move, but you will need to enter a location to continue through scheduling a move. The safest bet is to add your destination city, state, and ZIP code in the Defense Personal Property System. Then you can go back and add the street address once you settle on a location. When you add your street address, remember to correct the city, state, and ZIP code if necessary.
If you are a military member or civilian employee (or a person acting on behalf of) who is making a permanent change of station move, separating, or retiring from federal service, you have to prepare an application in the Defense Personal Property System, or DPS. If you do not have a DPS account, you will need to register for one. DPS is where you will upload your orders and create a shipment(s) (e.g., household goods, unaccompanied baggage, non-temporary storage, personally procured move, etc.).
You can log in to DPS using a Common Access Card, or CAC, or by obtaining a user ID and password before accessing. Follow the instructions in the New User Registration tutorial located in DPS when setting up your account. After setting up your account, follow the instructions in the Create a Shipment or Create a PPM Shipment tutorial. Have a digital copy of your orders ready and be prepared to answer questions about your weight estimate, delivery address, and any special items that need to be moved.
Pro-Tip: Instead of using your work email address in the customer information section, use your personal email address so you can stay up to speed on your move at all times.
Note: First time movers, separating service members, and retirees must contact their local transportation office before scheduling a move in DPS.
Yes. Below are the only times when you cannot proceed with scheduling your move in DPS before first scheduling a counseling session with your local transportation office. Use the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS tool to find the contact information for your local transportation office.
Army
You cannot use DPS if…
- This is your first personal property move.
- This is your last personal property move (you are separating or retiring).
- You are storing or moving personal property AND you have contingency or deployment orders.
- You’re storing or moving personal property AND moving your family to an overseas location.
- You are not the property owner AND you’re using a power of attorney.
- You are moving personal property as “next of kin” or summary courts officer.
- You’re still not sure or need more help, use the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS tool to find the contact information for your local transportation office.
Marine Corps
You cannot use DPS if…
- You are not the property owner AND you are using a power of attorney (with personal property shipping office/personal property processing office assistance).
- You are moving personal property as “next of kin” or summary courts officer/command representative.
- You are still not sure or need more help, use the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS tool to find the contact information for your local transportation office.
Navy
You cannot use DPS if…
- You are moving personal property as “next of kin” or summary courts officer.
- You’re still not sure or need more help, use the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS tool to find the contact information for your local transportation office.
Air Force
You cannot use DPS if…
- This is your first personal property move.
- This is your last personal property move (you are separating or retiring).
- You are not the property owner AND you’re using a power of attorney.
- You are moving personal property as “next of kin” or summary courts officer.
- You’re still not sure or need more help, use the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS tool to find the contact information for your local transportation office.
Coast Guard
You cannot use DPS if…
- This is your first personal property move.
- This is your last personal property move (you are separating or retiring).
- You are not the property owner AND you’re using a power of attorney.
- You are moving personal property as “next of kin” or summary courts officer.
- You’re still not sure or need more help, use the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS tool to find the contact information for your local transportation office.
A HHG move is when the government schedules a mover to pack/unpack and ship all of your items.
A full PPM (also known as a do-it-yourself move) is when you decide to move your household items instead of doing a HHG move. You will still need to book this type of move in DPS which will help calculate your estimated incentive payment.
Note: If your move costs go above this amount the government is not obligated to reimburse you for those expenses.
- Alternatively, you can do a partial PPM with a HHG move. Typically, this occurs when you use your personal vehicle to ship household items as they move from one duty station to the next. This type of move will require full/empty weight tickets of the vehicle.Privately-owned truck weight scales locations are available to get required vehicle weight tickets when conducting a full or partial Personally Procured Move or “Do-It-Yourself” move. There are several companies that offer these weight scales and you can search their websites to find a location near you. Use the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS tool to contact your local transportation office to get more details on weighing your vehicle.
Note: Civilian employees will only be reimbursed for actual cost. Advance operating allowance is not authorized
It’s best to contact your local transportation office before you do a full or partial PPM to make sure you understand all of your entitlements. Use the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS tool to find the contact information for your local transportation office.
A list of items you are allowed to move can be found by visiting PCS entitlements. Typically, you are allowed to bring the majority of your household goods but there are restrictions on certain items that include hazardous materials (most cleaning supplies, paint, gasoline, etc.) as well as perishables (frozen food, produce, etc.) that will not be able to travel with you. Additionally, some of your items, such as a lawn mower, will need all the fuel removed before the movers will pack it up. To find how much weight you are allowed, review these Joint Travel Regulations Authorized PCS Weight Allowances and Table 5-37.
You can find your authorized allotment in the Joint Travel Regulations Storage in Transit section, Table 5-91.
Note: DOD civilian CONUS to CONUS 60 days/to or from OCONUS 90 days – see JTR table 5-91.
Effective May 2, 2022, you are now allowed to ship empty gun safes, not to exceed 500 pounds, in addition to your prescribed household goods weight allowance, not to exceed 18,000 pounds. You can view the policy revision at: Memorandum for the Joint Travel Regulations authorizing gun safe transportation.
Keep in mind that you are not allowed to ship or store a gun in a locked container/safe due to the need for inspections at ports, customs, borders, storage locations, etc. Be sure to review the rules and regulations during your counseling session to ensure you understand all the details related to moving a firearm.
Yes, but contact your local transportation office to ensure you will not incur excess costs. Use the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS tool to find the contact information for your local transportation office.
Yes. You will need to contact your TSP if you want to make a change to your pickup date. If the TSP cannot support your request, you will need to contact your local transportation office for assistance. Use the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS tool to find the contact information for your local transportation office.
This is part of your weight allowance that is separated from other household goods and is shipped via an expedited mode because it’s needed immediately or soon after your arrival at the destination, prior to the arrival of your household goods. This typically occurs with an OCONUS move.
Examples: May consist of personal clothing and equipment; essential pots, pans, and light housekeeping items; collapsible items such as cribs, playpens, and baby carriages; and other articles required for the care of dependents. If necessary, you can also ship a small amount of professional books, paper and equipment in your unaccompanied baggage, or UB, shipment.
Not Allowed: Furniture and major appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, etc.).
Reminder: Unaccompanied baggage counts against your total weight allowance.
Your shipment may be one of many Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, picks for an inspection. Many shipments moving back to the U.S. are inspected on the first day of packing. If you or your family are one of the chosen ones for a CBP inspection, please make sure all of your belongings are clean and have no signs of pest infestation. This is especially true for outdoor items such as lawn furniture, garden tools and other items that are exposed to dirt or insects (e.g., spongy moths, spotted fly lantern, brown tree snakes, rodents, cockroaches, and other pests.)
Yes. As you navigate through the Defense Personal Property System, or DPS, you will be prompted with questions about these types of special items. Be sure to include as much information as possible and make sure during the pre-move survey you point out these items to the representative.
Yes, but you need to make sure you tell the delivering company to weigh the container empty before drop-off.
Note: You are required to submit full and empty weight tickets.
Check out these packing tips received from other customers and spouses as you prepare for your move.