Military Shipping Motorcycle Household Goods Regulations

What is the Military Shipping Motorcycle Household Goods Regulations?

This article is written for Armed Forces Members (Navy, Marine Corps, Air force, US Coast guard and army). It’s meant to inform you of your responsibilities and allowances regarding military shipping motorcycle household goods.

To streamline your move and improve the experience, the DOD (Department of Defense) designed the DP3 (Defense Personal Property Program). The program’s goal is to meet the requirements of DOD Employees, Armed Forces Members, as well as their families.

The most important part of the DP3 is the DPS, which simplifies and automates the moving process of your property.

The DPS - Defense Personal Property System

As an integrated, centralized system, the Defense Personal Property System considers the Defense Personal Property Program as the ideal means of managing the transportation of your personal property. Finally, the SDDC (Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command) can oversee TSP (Transportation Service Provider) information and claims in a single location. DPS also offers around the clock access to information regarding military shipping motorcycle household goods and TSPs during the entire process of changing locations.

Among the DPS’ highlights, we name DOD customers can use it to directly resolve claims online using their TSP. This protection covers damaged or lost items, FVR, direct claim settlements and communications between the TSP and the client. DPS is the point of focus for all TSPs, DOD Customers, the HQ (Service Headquarters), PPSOs (Personal Property Shipping Offices), TOs, and whoever else participates in the process of moving your motorcycle and household goods.

DPS is not currently implemented across the globe, though it soon will. Every Service HQ has created a document mentioning who can make use of the DPS’ Self Counseling Functionality according to the initial schedule. For more information on the DP3 and whether you can use or not DPS for the next time you want to transport your personal property, visit https://www.move.mil/ or visit your local transportation office for more details.

Gaining Access to the DPS

Those who wish to use DPS must first gain an ETA (Electronic Transportation Acquisition) login password and ID (login identification). You can obtain these at https://www.move.mil. Once you’ve entered Move.mil, choose the DOD Customer tab and register using the instructions from DPS Registration on the right side of the screen. After clicking the link, choose the Continue to Create DPS Account from the page’s bottom.

Tips for Military Shipping Motorcycle Household Goods

Luxury motorcycles and valuable / expensive goods should be appraised before shipping. This is not paid for by the government, but it’s necessary in case of damage or loss. For more valuable items, try to find the original receipts from their purchase and do not place them with the rest of your shipment. Use a camera or take pictures to assess the state of your goods, their condition and appearance before the pickup dates of the HHG. If you ever need to file a damage / loss claim, this will help greatly.

Do not ship small items of high worth, such as bonds, coin collections, stocks, jewelry or items with sentimental value like pictures or gifts. Carry them by hand in your suitcase, and do the same for your appraisals, receipts and pictures.

Weight

The JFTR determines the maximum weight allowances for PCS (Permanent Change of Station) and NTS (Non-Temporary Storage), at which you can transport or store at the expense of the Government depending on the member’s dependency status and rank. It also decides the weight allowance for TDY (Temporary Duty) depending on the same criteria. Professional Papers, Equipment and Books, as well as necessary medical equipment, are not included in weight allowances.

The Secretary may allow a larger weight allowance, as long as it does not surpass 18,000 pounds for a member with a pay grade below 0-6, but only on a per case basis. This is done only if the Secretary determines a lower weight allowance would lead to significant problems to the person or the person’s dependents.

Transporting Dirt Bikes or Motorcycles

Normally, dirt bikes and motorcycles can be transported in your HHG (household goods) shipment, or separately, as a POV (privately owned vehicle) shipment. Keep in mind that some governments do not allow dirt bikes and / or motorcycles to be imported into their countries. If the country does not permit such imports, the whole shipment will be stopped by officials from the host country customs and won’t be released until you correct the unauthorized shipment.

The TO in your neighborhood should be able to inform you of the requirements of your chosen host country.

Your responsibilities during military shipping motorcycle household goods are as follows:

• Drain your motorcycle’s gas. Make sure gas levels are as low as possible, preferably down to reserve. You can do this with a siphoning device or by running the engine until empty.
• Inflate the tires properly, and make sure no leaks are present. You must repair any fuel, transmission or oil leaks before military shipping motorcycle household goods.
• To avoid sparks during transportation, disconnect tape ends and the battery using electrical tape.
• All belongings should be removed and the saddlebags emptied. You should ship keys, paperwork, spare parts or boxes separately. You can keep the windshields and saddlebags installed, as well as the helmet if it is properly fixed to the military motorcycle.
• Make sure the attachment of your helmet is reflected in the inventory. Unlock the motorcycle, so it can roll onto the skid and truck.

Consumables

If your new duty station is located in a remote location, noted in the Appendix F of the JFTR Part 1, you may ship consumable goods of at most 1250 pounds each tour year of assignment. PBP and E/Pro Gear must be each marked, packed, and weighed. They must be identified as consumable items by the inventory. If applicable, get in touch with your local TO.

When to Prepare for Transport

You may engage in military shipping motorcycle household goods as soon as you have your official authorization or orders (ex. Separation, PCS or Retirement). Contact your local transportation office as soon as possible, so you have higher chances of moving your motorcycle and household goods on the date you desire.

Normally, pack dates are a couple days before your shipment’s pick-up date. Pack dates vary depending on circumstance. To make sure the moving process goes smoothly, the TSP or a representative negotiates with you the date of packing during the survey prior to the moving process. Delaying the visit or call may create problems for all those involved.

Who to Contact

The Navy, Coast Guard, Army, Marine Corps and Air force all operate Transportation Offices. Your local TO is the first place you should contact for problems or questions regarding moving your motorcycle or household goods.

Items You Can Ship as HHG

All personal effects and items related to the home may be shipped on your PCS orders’ date. Included are also the following:

• PBP and E required and not required for official duty at the next destination or at a later one. These are must be separately identified and weighed separately on the inventory of origin, as they are not considered part of the weight allowance of each member.
• When removed, a tailgate from a pick up and spare POV parts.
• Attached or integral parts from a vehicle whose removal is necessary because they’re highly vulnerable to damage or pilferage (ex. tops, spare tires, winch, seats, miscellaneous associated hardware, GPS systems, portable gasoline cans, and CD players).
• Consumables ordered for a member to locations named in the Part 1, Appendix F, of the JFTR.
• Other vehicles besides POVs (motorcycles, hang gliders, snowmobiles, golf carts, etc.)
• A personal boat or watercraft longer than 14 feet.
• Extremely light vehicles (which allow just 1 occupant, serve recreation or sport purposes, weighs at most 155 pounds when un-powered or 254 pounds when powered, has a 5 gallons fuel capacity, a 24 knots stall speed or 55 knots airspeed).
• Utility trailers with just one axle, 12 feet long maximum, with a tilt bed or not, and with a maximum width of 8 feet. Its body / side rails must be of a maximum 28 inches tall, and the gate or ramp must be at most 4 feet tall unless they are detachable.
• Organizational Clothing which is accountable and owned through the military or government, as well as Service / Agency issued individual clothing for official use

Items you Cannot Ship as HHG

Of the items which cannot be shipped as HHG we name the following:

• Baggage carried on commercial transportation for free.
• Trucks, automobiles, vans, mobile homes, airplanes, farming vehicles, camper trailers and horse trailers.
• Living creatures, including reptiles, birds and fish.
• Items that would normally be HHG, but are gained after the PCS order / authorization date, with the exception of:
  • Replacements for inadequate items, or for those broken, worn out, or unserviceable after / on the effective date of the PCS order / authorization. However, most of the HHG is released before the date to the TSP or TO for shipping when bought in the United States, towards an OCONUS PDS using the Secretarial Process for approval / authorization.
  • HHG items meant to replace the original shipment that was lost or destroyed during a shipping accident to a switch of PDS or TDY station, without it being the member’s fault.
• Construction materials meant for commercial use, disposal, or resale.
• Live ammunition owned privately.
• Dangerous items such as corrosive or flammable materials, propane gas tanks, explosives or poisons.

TSP rules or local laws may prevent the commercial transportation of some items that do not appear above. Regulations and laws ban items with high chances of damaging or impregnating other properties, such as explosives, poisons, etc. If you have questions regarding a particular article whose shipment was prohibited by the TSP, contact your TO. If you’re not sure whether an article can be shipped, your TO can give you more details.

Preventing Gypsy Moth Infestations

Problematic pests must not go along with military shipping motorcycle household goods.

To prevent the Gypsy Moth from spreading, you must make sure your motorcycle and outdoor household goods are pest free. Inspecting the items yourself is allowed by the HHG, but you can also pay a pesticide applicator trained by the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) to check them out for you.

Preparing for Transportation

To arrange a military shipping motorcycle household goods, you can talk to your TO or use the DPS for “self counseling.” Prepare the following in advance:

• A full set of authorization / orders as well as amendments for each kind of planned shipment (UB, NTS, HHG).
• The approximate weight of your shipment and an approximate date. Be flexible if you’re selecting the pickup dates and HHG pack. Your TO may not be available on official holidays or in other periods. Try not to program the termination of your lease or the closing of your house sale on the same day you’re supposed to pack your HHG, pick it up or deliver it. Allow yourself some time for unforeseen circumstances. You or a representative must be ready for delivery, pickup and pack dates between 8 AM and 5 PM.
• The arrival date at your new station. It will assist the local TO and / or TSP to prepare your transport’s delivery, reducing costs for its storage. For example, if you know you won’t be able to pick up the transport for 2 months, do not schedule the delivery date of your HHG during those 2 months.
• The kind of shipment you are about to engage in (NTS, UB or HHG). Make sure you also declare Pro Gear / PBP & E.
• Excess cost information. Your motorcycle and household good’s weight should be around $100 per each hundred pounds above the max. weight allowance at a minimum.
• A complete list of the unusual or large articles you are shipping (motorcycle, hot tub, recreational vehicle, pool table, etc.).
• An authorization letter signed by a power of attorney or yourself. This is needed if you are unable to go to the TO. A spouse or agent may negotiate military shipping motorcycle household goods for you. Ensure the person has the necessary information and is acting in your best interest, since you will be held responsible for this person’s decisions.

Paperwork

If you go to your TO for personal counseling, he will give you copies of the necessary paperwork for moving and storing your items. Carefully read each document before signing it.

If you chose DPS for Self Counseling, each screen will ask you to read and confirm your inputs. A transport summary will be given to you before submitting your application electronically for transport and / or storage to your selected TO. Afterwards, you may print each document created for military shipping motorcycle household goods. In case you need to take corrective actions in DPS, the TO will let you know through e-mail or phone.

Your Responsibilities

Successfully shipping your motorcycle and household goods is largely dependent on the level of your involvement and your preparations prior to the TSP’s arrival. You may use the following guide to record your tasks as you accomplish them:

Responsibilities at origin:

• Inform your TSP/TO of any changes, like a change in your military orders, current e-mail address or phone number, etc.
• When transporting equipment powered by an engine (motorcycles, lawnmowers, mopeds, dirt bikes, boats, etc.), make sure they do not have grease or dirt. Disconnect the cables from your battery and tape them, so they cannot touch the battery terminals. You may not ship batteries with alkali or acid, only gel type nonspillable batteries. Remove the lead from your spark plug and tape it as well to avoid contact. Remove all the gas from your dirt bike / motorcycle by running it until empty. It should have no fuel when transporting it as HHG.
• Maintain your shipping address unless absolutely necessary. Changing dates can also lead to delays, especially during summer months. Contact your TSP / TO as soon as possible if you have to reschedule military shipping motorcycle household goods. If your representative is not available for the pickup and /or pack dates, notify the TSP / TO as soon as possible. If on the pickup / pack day, the TSP finds neither you nor your representative present, you may be charged for an attempted pickup. You must pay this fee in full before you can reschedule another pickup and pack date.
• Contact your local TO if the TSP or its representative has failed to contact you some days before the date you’ve scheduled your pickup.
• Your representative, as well as yourself, must be present on the date the TSP comes to pack and take your belongings (between 8 AM and 5 PM).
• Starting your preparations a month in advance is perfectly reasonable.
• Make sure if your home or pickup location is a bit messy, it does not interfere with the pickup itself.
• If among your household goods, you wish to transport a television set, remove its antenna.
• Defrost, empty and wash thoroughly your refrigerator and freezer’s insides if you wish to transport it. The mildew must be reduced as much as possible during storage and transit. After cleaning, open the doors and give it 2 days minimum to dry out.
• If you’re transporting a waterbed or hot tub, drain all the water as well.
• Window air conditioners should be removed.
• Prepare and disconnect components like disc players, computers, televisions, stereos, VCRs, printers and videodisc players prior to the move.
• Disconnect stoves, dryers, washers and other such appliances. If any charges emerge from removing these appliances, they will be paid by you. All disconnections must be done before the HHG pickup and pack dates. If you are transporting a front-load washer among your belongings, prepare the required hardware as well.
• Un-mount TVs if they are fixed to a wall and disconnect them.
• Remove foods that may spoil or spill during shipment or storage.
• Get rid of old and unnecessary articles prior to military shipping motorcycle household goods, to avoid unnecessary weight and expenses for storage, packing and moving.
• If you’d like to transport currently hanging objects, remove them from the ceilings, walls, or cabinets. This also includes kitchenware, pictures, mirrors or curtain rods.
• Dismantle structures in your yard, such as play equipment, gym sets, utility sheds, swings, etc.
• Make sure your items contain no pests or soil. It is your responsibility to meet the USDA’s requirements.
• Remove the items you would like to transport from crawl spaces, attics, or other hard to reach storage areas. The TSP is not obligated to enter areas that:
  • Cannot be accessed via stairway (ladders are not considered stairways),
  • Are not lighted properly,
  • Have a broken floor, or
  • Do not permit an adult to stand upright.
• Make sure your items are marked distinctly and separated by transport. Items which should enter the UB shipment, should be placed in one room. Mark clearly which items are meant not to be packed, which are meant for storage, etc. This helps reduce the possibility of articles getting misplaced or discarded. If possible, get rid of items and trash that should be removed before the arrival of the TSP.
• Separate authorized consumables and professional items. Ensure they are marked as consumable items or Pro-Gear / PBP&E in your inventory, and are either separately weighed or on the inventory you’ve annotated a constructive weight.
• Get rid of old markings by the TSP, as well as stickers from boxes and furniture.
• Note the items remaining in drawers. Make sure they are reflected in your inventory.
• Safeguard and hand carry all expensive items such as jewelry or cash.
• Passports and airline tickets should be kept in your car locked, or by a neighbor or friend until the HHG transport is picked up.
• Make sure each loose item and carton is tagged with a number and each number appears in your inventory.
• Check the packing and wrapping of your motorcycle and household items. Ensure everything is packaged adequately and individually. Ensure heavier items are not placed on top of lighter ones. Consult your TO before allowing your items to be transported to a warehouse for packing.
• Drain all oil, gasoline and water. Remove batteries from motorcycles, lawn mowers, mopeds, etc. before military shipping motorcycle household goods.
• Make sure any cartons, boxes or totes you’ve already packed permit the TSP’s inspection. The TSP may choose to use pre-packed containers to repack your items, so they are safe during shipment.
• Read the TSP personnel’s inventory carefully before signing. Check it occasionally while your articles are packed. Make sure all loose items and boxes appear in the inventory correctly. Make sure the inventory does not contain generic descriptions of your items. Crystal figurines should be noted as such, instead of something generic like kitchen items or glass.
• Major / large items should be noted individually in your inventory with accurate and complete descriptions.
• If in the inventory you find listed “color television,” make sure they add the maker, serial number, model, size, etc. if such details are accessible. This also applies to video and stereo components. Carefully verify the symbols indicating already existing damage. You can find the explanation for them in the inventory’s right hand corner, at the very top.
• A well made inventory contains each item you’re transporting and its condition when it was picked up. If your inventory has errors, inform the representative from your TSP and mark exactly why you disagree in the place meant for exceptions at the inventory’s bottom.
• Do not get into a disagreement with the TSP. Instead, call your TO to mitigate the problem.
• Do not sign documents before reading, understanding, and agreeing with what’s written. You should receive a legal copy of every document you sign. Never sign an illegible, incomplete or blank form.

Responsibilities at destination:

• Call the TSP or TO helping you with military shipping motorcycle household goods immediately after arriving at your destination even if the address you’ll need your items delivered to is still unknown. The TSP / TO requires an address and / or phone number at which they can reach you when your shipment arrives.
• Call your TO once more when your items’ delivery address is settled.
• If possible, make preparations, so you may accept your goods as soon as they arrive. This will reduce storage expenses, chances of damage or loss and additional handling.
• Your representative (designated in writing) or you must be available on the delivery date.
• The TSP offers a one time placement of items if you request it. So, think beforehand where you want each object placed in your new home.
• Check each item or carton from your inventory. Make sure everything was delivered as promised.
• If some of your items are missing and / or damaged, list them with the correct number from your inventory on the DD 1840 Form. Do not sign documents acknowledging services not performed by the TSP.
• Instead of arguing with the TSP, contact the TO at your destination instead.

Responsibilities of the TSP at Origin:

• To conduct a Survey prior to the move via telephone or in person, according to the approximate weight and kind of shipment. When necessary, it should be done before the first packing day.
• The survey’s purpose is as follows: The TSP agrees on the volume and weight of the items about to be packed and picked up, on the kind of materials needed for packing and their quantity, whether special crating is needed and whether some items must be disassembled first by a third party. If a TSP believes you need special services that were not noticed when counseling, he / she will submit the TO a request for approval / review. The TO has the final word. If they do not approve these services, you can ask the TSP to do them, though at your expense.
• The TSP estimates how many days are needed to pickup / pack your items.
• You can negotiate with the TSP the pickup, delivery, and pack dates in the survey prior to military shipping motorcycle household goods. Inform both your destination and your origin TO of any changed in delivery / pickup address, or e-mail / telephone address.
• Start pickup / packing between 8 AM and 5 PM.
• While in transit, protect your appliances. The TSP can fix moving parts which may damage them.
• Use clean, new packages for clothing, linen and bedding.
• Use clean materials for all your items. Newspaper and excelsior are not allowed. Boxed items should be insulated and padded from the walls surrounding them.
• Pack glass tabletops, pictures and mirrors in cartons designed especially for them.
• Protect finished surfaces from scratching and marring by wrapping them with furniture pads.
• Protect rug pads and rugs by rolling them. Only small rugs should be folded.
• Pack PBP&E in different cartons. These boxes must be weighed separately, listed in your inventory and marked appropriately.
• Place all bolts, screws and nuts from items you’ve disassembled in a bag and stick it properly to the item.
• Each carton should be marked with a list of its contents.
• Prepare a legible and accurate inventory.
• Before loading on the moving van’s tailgate, ask the TO for approval.
• Eliminate all unneeded packing materials from your home.

The responsibilities of the TSP at destination:

• The delivery should begin between 8 AM and 5 PM.
• They should place your rugs before your HHG if you’ve chosen the one time placement option.
• Unwrap and unpack all boxes, cartons and crates.
• Place each carton or item wherever you want in your home. The one time placement offer includes placing them on kitchen shelves, in cupboards or in cabinets when safe, convenient or required on location. Plan the placement of your items before the TSP arrive.
• The TSP must assemble all equipment and furniture if it was disassembled when picked up.
• Eliminate blocking and packing from your appliances. The TSP is not obligated to plug in your appliances or to connect them to water or gas outlets.
• They must create a joint record in writing of any damage or loss upon delivery using the DD 1840 Form. This form must be signed by the TSP and your representative / you. The TSP will afterwards give you a copy of this document.
• The TSP is not obligated to enter crawl spaces, attics, or other cramped areas to deliver or place your household goods.
• Once the transport has been sent to its destination, the TSP does not have to also deliver it to a self storage facility.

Claims for Damage and Loss

Unfortunately, there is a possibility of damaging or losing your property during military shipping motorcycle household goods. If such an accident happens, you are entitled to filing a direct claim to the TSP. You may also buy further insurance for your transport from an insurance company or using the TSP.

• If your shipment is not DPS processed, you must inform the TSP of Damage / Loss as noted on the delivery date in a DD 1840 Form. The TSP and the designated agent / member sign the DD 1840 Form on the delivery day. After this date, you may record additional noted damage / loss in a Notice of Loss or Damage form (DD Form 1840R). The FVR and time frame from below apply. When making a claim for Damage or Loss, you must do it at the Military Claims Office.
• Every customer belonging to the DOD may receive FVR protection at no costs, being protected by the DOD.
• If your items are damaged or lost during the shipment, you may ask the TSP for compensation. Your claim can be filed in DPS directly for lost or damaged items with the TSP at the time or after the delivery. You have FVR coverage as follows: If you file your claim with the TSP directly before 9 months pass after the delivery, the max liability of the TSP on each International HHG, domestic HHG or unaccompanied international baggage transport is:
  • $5000 per transport, or
  • $4 times the HHG equipment’s net weight / the unaccompanied international baggage’s gross weight in pounds, without going past $50000, depending on which is greater.
• For discovered damage / loss on the date of delivery, you must complete a defense personal property program notification of damage or loss at delivery.
• For discovered damage / loss after the date of delivery, the same form must be completed.
• For settlement of direct claims between TSP and you as a member:
• You must file your claim through the DPS.
• To maintain the eligibility of the FRV, you must file your claim first with the TSP.
  • You can transfer your claim after 30 days to the military claims service. This way, the military claims office will pay you depreciated value, afterwards pursuing with the TSP the FRV claim. After the TSP settlement, if the FRV settlement goes above the sum paid to you by the military claims service, you will get the difference.
• You may be offered a quick claim settlement by the TSP:
  1. In 5 days of delivery;
  2. Up to $500;
  3. It will be reported in DPS only if you file another claim.
• The responsibility for gathering repair estimates falls on the TSP
• You will negotiate your settlement with the TSP through the DPS.
  1. The TSP must make an offer, deny or pay in up to 60 days from receiving the receipt of your claim using the DPS.
  2. You can reject or accept the TSP’s offer (partially or completely).
• Claims of inconvenience. It is the responsibility of the TSP to pick up your motorcycle and household goods and deliver them on the dates you’ve both agreed on. Their failure to deliver on the agreed date can lead to problems for your family, resulting in unplanned costs for food, lodging, purchase / rental of necessities, and miscellaneous expenses. You may file a claim for inconvenience through the DPS for expenses caused by the failure of the TSP to uphold the dates agreed on at destination or origin.
• For iHHG and dHHG transports, you get a toll free number before the pickup to communicate directly with the TSP. You can use the number for problem resolution and inquiries throughout the military shipping motorcycle household goods. The TSP must send you a response in less than a day from your first call if it was sent during the week, and on Monday if the inquiry / call was made on Sunday, Saturday or on a legal holiday. You should be informed the toll free number may not be used to change shipment dates. You can contact your TO to make changes after you’ve awarded the shipment to a TSP.

Buying More Insurance

Depending on your HHG’s value, you may want to buy more insurance through a commercial company or the TSP.

You can no longer buy more insurance using the Government.

Also, some policies for homeowners may keep some items covered, so check with your insurance company or verify your policy for details.

During the Move and Afterwards

During military shipping motorcycle household goods, a TO inspector for quality control may visit to check the TSP’s performance. For any problems or questions, talk to the TO or to the inspector.

After your motorcycle and household goods arrive, there will be a CSS survey for you to complete. This is the most used data source for evaluating each TSP’s performance. To receive the survey, it is vital you keep your contact information and e-mail address updated at your new destination.

The Personally Procured Move

The PMM is an alternate program of military shipping motorcycle household goods. You must prepare things at the point of departure just like you would in a transport arranged by the government and complete a few more requirements to gain weight tickets.

This program can be used by you or by the next kin of a deceased member. With the PMM program, you can move HHG personally and have the government either pay you an incentive payment or be reimbursed up to its cost when ordering for TDY, RET, PCS or ETS.

The methods of military shipping motorcycle household goods are as follows:

• Personally owned vehicle PPM. You face no restrictions on the kind of equipment or POV you use to personally transport your HHG, except if you use a vehicle owned by the government.
• Trailers owned privately. If you use a trailer as a transport method, you can use the utility trailer weight once. This applies to utility trailers with one axle, which may or may not use a tilt bed, with a length of 12 feet maximum from the trailer’s rear to its hitch, and 8 feet max wide. The Side body / rails should be as high as 28 inches max unless detachable, and the gate / rail should be 4 feet high max unless detachable. You or your dependent must be in possession of the trailer before the date of the TDY or PCS order.
• Other ways you should consider are hiring an auto shipping company, using rental equipment, the “you load they drive” method and parcel post. Contact your local transportation office to receive details unique to the Service regarding PPM procedures and allowances.

For PPM military shipping motorcycle household goods, the TO must give counseling before its beginning. Not complying with the program’s service requirements may lead to your claim’s denial or a limit in payment. Items that are not considered HHG cannot be included in the total transport weight.

Transport costs, which surpass the Government cost, must be paid by you. If the shipment’s weight is smaller than your HHG’s estimated one, based on which you’ve drawn an allowance in advance, you will have to reimburse the surplus to the Government.

Remember

Doing a PPM does not prevent the chance of excess costs. All your transports’ combined weight (NTS, HHG, PPM and / or UB) is NTE your max JFTR weight allowance.

It is vital you properly estimate the weight of your cargo to avoid paying an operating allowance. The weight allowances of the JFTR apply in connection with local moves, ETC RET, PCS and TDY. Your counselor can inform you of the authorized weight. You will have to complete a HHG inventory to confirm an approximate weight.

Incentive

To encourage you to participate in the program, you may receive 95% of what the Government would spend to ship your HHG. Your transportation office can estimate the cost of the move according to the weight of the shipment and the distance from the place of origin to its destination.

Payment estimates given during counseling should not be considered final. If you overestimate your transport’s weight, you may face an advance allowance that is larger than authorized. In such cases, you will have to return the Government the surplus amount.

Your responsibilities when using the PPM program are as follows:

• Gather the needed moving aids, equipment, vehicles and packing materials for military shipping motorcycle household goods;
• Determine weight scales to receive weight tickets certified by the Government for each move’s segment.
• For IRS and IAW Service requirements, you must gather receipts from expenses.
• Submit to your destination transportation office a settlement claim.

The TO can guide you towards turning in your paperwork. If you chose an operating allowance in advance, the last settlement claim should be filed up to 45 days after beginning the shipment. Failure to do so may lead to the Government recovering from your pay the operating allowance.

Operating Expenses

These may apply to your income tax. Consult IRS publications for more information. Expenses authorized by the Government include payments made for packing materials, rental trailers / vehicles, blanket wraps, moving equipment, gasoline, etc.

This does not apply to: broken or cracked windshields, winterizing your POV, POV added tow hitches, flat tire repairs, replacement of tires, or any other repairs or services done to your POV.

Operating Allowance

This may be provided for at most 60% of the estimated cost of the Government. This helps defray the price of gasoline, tolls, oil, rental vehicle, moving equipment, packing material, and any other service linked to the move. Your counselor can use the estimated weight the figure out the amount.

If you decide to use an advance operating allowance when doing a PPM shipment, you should send your PPM paperwork to the required TO for final settlement and computation 45 days max since the start of military shipping motorcycle household goods.

Weight Tickets

No matter what the weight allowance, you must gain for all PPMs full and empty weight tickets from the weight station (including transport companies you’ve hired to move your items for you). The counselor can give you a list of certified scale locations during counseling hours and teach you the information which must be added to your weight tickets. Incentive payments cannot be made in the absence of weight tickets.

When gathering weight tickets, you should have no passenger present in your vehicle. The weight tickets should mention your gas tank’s situation. Different weight tickets are needed each segment when making multiple shipments.

Temporary Storage

For a PPM transport, you may obtain temporary storage only if the delivery of your HHG to your residence cannot be done. You must use a public storage meant for the general populace. If you don’t have a residence ready for the HHG’s delivery, contact the TO at your destination to prepare for storage. You may not use storage services for local moves.

Storage types:

• Extending the rental time of the trailer or truck, so your motorcycle and household goods remain in the vehicle.
• Conventional storage facilities and mini storage warehouses limited by JFTR rules.

If you store your items, you must pay certain fees and ask for reimbursement once you’ve removed your property.

Insurance Coverage

If you use a trailer for PPM purposes, verify your vehicle’s insurance policy to ensure you are fully covered for damage or loss. Some companies offering vehicle insurance will extend their coverage if your trailer is towed by a POV. The Government will not reimburse you for purchasing additional insurance.

Damage and Loss Claims

During, before and after the shipment, you are responsible and assume the risk of damages and loss. Unless you use a professional transport service, you are responsible for preventing such situations. Because you are responsible for the entire move, the government will generally not pay claims for damage and / or loss, except when the situation was not in your control (theft, fire, accidents, etc.) and was not caused by your negligence. If you use a professional vehicle transport service for military shipping motorcycle household goods, any claims must first be filed against it before you can make a claim to the Government for damage and / or loss. The Government will not pay the amount you can recover from the TSP doing the transport.

Storage

If authorized, you may receive SIT (storage in transit) or NTS (non temporary storage).

Storage in transit:

SIT is part of military shipping motorcycle household goods as short term storage. It may be used at the place of destination, origin or en route. When PCS is present, you may not use SIT for local HHG transportation.

SIT, as a HHG transportation authorized by ICW, may not be maintained for more than 90 days unless you ask for more time in writing. If further storage is not approved / authorized by a designated official from the Defense / Service Agency, you may be responsible for paying the expenses incurred by further storage.

Acceptable reasons to increase the period of SIT are:

• Illness,
• Death of family member,
• Natural disaster.
• Unexpected assignment to privatized housing or Government quarters.
• Directed TDY as soon as you arrive at PDS.
• No available civilian homes.
• Living quarters are under construction.

SIT has a 180 day maximum limit. The circumstances in which it can be extended past this number are limited. You can receive more information about this from your local TO.

Non Temporary Storage:

You can apply for NTS if:

• You do PCS travel to a permanent duty station in an isolated CONUS.
• You are travelling between or to CONUS areas.
• You cannot use HHG in privatized housing or in Government quarters.
• Storage is in the Government’s best interest.
• In case of retirement.

If your HHG is stored in NTS, inform the TSP or TO handling your HHG of any changes in phone number, address, e-mail address or new authorization / orders. If you are to move overseas, you PCS to a new overseas tour, or your current tour receives an extension, make sure you give your TO a copy of your authorization / orders and endorsements / amendments. This way, your HHG will keep being stored at the expense of the Government. Failure to provide this information may lead to expenses on your end. For more information, visit your servicing TO / PPSO.

Note: NTS controlled by the climate are not paid by the government.

Unauthorized HHG Items Shipments

Such items are defined in the JFTR Appendix A and must be shipped differently from authorized HHG. The TSP is not responsible for arranging the military shipping motorcycle household goods, so you must do it yourself. The Government will not cover your expenses, so you must pay for all transportation costs.