Arranging Household Goods Shipments
As soon as you are alerted to your upcoming PCS move, you can start getting your house and family ready. Clean up and get rid of junk. Hold a yard sale or take serviceable items you no longer need to a thrift shop or donate to charity. Get important family records together in one place. You can even estimate the weight of your household goods before you visit your transportation office to set up the move. If you are going overseas, you should begin to plan what items you will take in your unaccompanied baggage, in your household goods shipment, and what might need to go into permanent storage. Remember for overseas assignments, electricity is different and houses are generally much smaller and cannot handle large furniture.
Set up an appointment with your transportation office as soon as you have a copy of your PCS orders. The earlier you call or visit your transportation office, the greater your chances of moving on the date you desire. The transportation office may instruct you to use the government's new automated moving system and process, DP3. The counselors will explain all your PCS move entitlements in detail. Your first decision is whether to have the government move you or whether to move yourself. There are pros and cons to each type of move. Your counselor will answer all of your questions. If you choose a government move, they will book your shipment and put you in contact with your mover (Transportation Service Provider - TSP). The TSP will contact you for a pre-move survey and let you know the exact dates the movers will come. If you choose to move yourself, the counselor can assist with recommendations and tips on how to do a personal move.
Automobile
The government may ship one Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) at their expense to your new overseas location. This is handled through your transportation office. Remember to discuss your POV needs at your initial counseling session. The shipping contractor has established a website where you can track the location of your POV through the shipping process.
Shipping Pets
Planning for shipment of your pet includes researching airline requirements, and quarantine restriction laws in your new location. You will need to ask the airlines the requirements for size, weight, number of animals, kennel construction, documentation and season of the year limitations. Occasionally, small pets can be shipped on military flights but availability and regulations are always changing as well as fees. Check the DoD Household Goods Portal website for details on shipping pets.
Many international locations have strict importation laws including extended quarantines and restrictions on breeds or types of animals that can be brought into the country. Carefully research these rules as they could impact your moving schedule. Not only do overseas locations have strict rules but many locations have restrictions on dangerous dogs as well. Review your destination installation's Shipping Pets article for details.
Arrival and Delivery of Household Goods Shipments
Follow the instructions you are given at counseling carefully. Depending on how your shipment moves, it is your responsibility to contact the transportation office or mover (TSP) as soon as you arrive at your new duty station. Let them know how you can be contacted, phone, mobile phone and e-mail. If you already have new quarters, they will help arrange delivery of your personal property shipments. Otherwise they will arrange for temporary storage until you have permanent housing.
Make certain that you, or someone who can act in your name, is available at your new home on delivery day. If the TSP arrives and cannot deliver the shipment, you may be charged for the attempted delivery and any additional storage that may result.
Customer Satisfaction Survey
Once your personal property is delivered, you’ll be asked to rate the your satisfaction with the customer service you received from the TSP. Make sure you take the time to do this. You feedback will make the process better for everyone. The SDDC website provides detailed information about completing the Customer Satisfaction Survey.
Claims
DoD customers are eligible for Full Replacement Value (FRV) protection on most DoD sponsored shipments. With this protection, the TSP will either repair or pay to repair damaged items and pay the full replacement cost for items that are lost or destroyed.
Providing prompt notice of loss or damage is an essential part of the process. Use the front of DD Form 1840/1840R to notify the mover of any loss or damage you find at the time of delivery. If further loss or damage is discovered after the transportation provider departs, use the reverse side of the form, DD Form 1840R. You must file DD Form 1840/1840R with the TSP within 75 days of delivery. The TSP has the right to inspect the damaged item once they receive the notice forms.
If you have any loss or damage to your personal property you will need to file a claim. Completing and submitting the DD Form 1840/1840R does not constitute filing a claim. You must file the claim directly with the TSP within nine months of delivery to receive FRV protection. Once the claim is filed directly with the TSP, the TSP is responsible for obtaining repair and replacement estimates and settling the claim by paying repair or replacement costs.
As in the past, the Military Claims Office (MCO) is available to help you understand the claims process and your rights and responsibilities. You may still transfer your claim to the MCO of you wish. However, if you transfer your claim the MCO will only be responsible for the lower depreciated cost of items on the claim.