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My Coast Guard
Commentary | March 21, 2022

Military members: Information about moving your household goods

By Chief Warrant Officer 4 Allyson E.T. Conroy, MyCG Staff

Each year nearly a roughly a third of the Coast Guard’s military work force concludes one tour, transfers to another completing a permanent change of station (PCS). There are a lot of moving parts that go with that transfer, and if you are PCSing this year, here is what you need to know. 

There are a couple of options when it comes to moving your household goods (HHG). One option is acquiring a government-contracted transportation service provider (TSP) that will pack up your household, pick everything up, and deliver your HHG to your next duty station. However, you should be aware that the industry’s peak season for transporting HHG runs from May 15 to Aug. 31 with its busiest time occurring from June 15 to July 31. You should request your packing and move date as soon as possible. 

If you find it challenging to schedule a government-contracted TSP that fits your needs, maybe a full or partial personally procured movement (PPM) might be something to consider. 

Personally procured movement

There may be times when you may need to – or want to – pack up your belongings and personally move them to your next duty station. If you decide to do this, you will receive 100% of the incentive payment that the government would pay the TSP. However, this payment will not exceed the authorized weight allowance as published in the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR).

If you plan to complete a PPM, please see the PPM checklist. This checklist is important so that your claim is in compliance with Coast Guard standards, and the checklist offers guidance on receiving accurate weigh tickets, especially if you are towing a privately own vehicle (POV).

To authorize your PPM you will need an Application for Personally Procured Move and Counseling Checklist, DD Form 2278 from your point of origin TO. This form is generated by the Defense personal Property System (DPS). If you do not get an authorized DD Form 2278, your claim will not be eligible for the incentive payment. However, you can try to fix this with an “after-the-fact” memorandum based on circumstances beyond your control. For example severe weather conditions, medical emergencies, or short-fused PCS orders that prevented proper PPM counseling. 

For detailed information regarding PPMs, please read the AY2022 Personally Procured Movements (PPM) of Household Goods (HHG) ALCOAST 0921-22 in its entirety. 

HHG/PPM Counseling 

You need to know and understand your HHG entitlements. Once you have PCS orders, you can schedule HHG counseling a couple of ways:

If you decide to self-counsel, you must register for a username and password with a valid civilian email account. Registration may take up to 72 hours, please plan accordingly. 

Once you request shipment for your HHGs in DPS, you much provide a copy of your signed PCS orders to the origin TO in order to complete the shipment request. 

For more information regarding your HHG entitlements, please see the following:

Weight allowances

You need to fully understand your weight limits and the consequences of exceeding your maximum allowable weight. If you go over weight you will be responsible for any extra shipping and storage costs. An easy and usually dependable method for estimate your HHG is to figure 1,500 pounds per room (not including storage rooms or bathrooms), then add the estimated weight of large appliances and items in the garage, storage rooms, basement, etc. Weight estimates are not official and cannot be used to refute excess weight charges. If you don’t agree with the HHG weight, you may request a re-weigh via their DPS account, the TSP, or the destination PPSO. It is NOT possible to reweigh HHGs after delivery.

Members married member to member

You are married to another member of the Coast Guard or another military service, and you are planning to ship your household together in one shipment, it is your responsibility to inform your HHG counselor at your point of origin. You may not combine weight allowances to offset HHG weight overages. 

Professional Books, Papers, and Equipment

Each member is allowed two thousand pounds in professional books, papers, equipment – or professional gear. Spouses are allowed up to 500 pounds of professional gear, and these may not be combined. You cannot claim professional gear after delivery in an attempt to offset HHG weight overages, and waivers are not authorized.

Full Replacement Value (FVR) protection

If your personal property is lost, damaged, or destroyed while in the TSP’s care, you can recover the greater of $7,500 per shipment or $6.00 times the net weight of the HHG shipment (in pounds) or the gross weight of the unaccompanied baggage shipment (in pounds) up to a maximum of $75,000 as compensation for loss. It is your responsibility to submit a damage claim and they are a multi-step process. Incorrect claims or claims submitted beyond the prescribed timeline may result in reduced compensation. You might want to consider purchasing insurance through a third party for higher value shipments.

Shipping POV

If you are authorized to ship a POV to, from, or between OCONUS locations, you need to make sure that all vehicle safety recall notices are resolved before arranging shipment. See specific information on POV safety recalls here.

If you decide to ship a second POV at your own expense, in CONUS please review the guidance found in the Joint Travel Regulations paragraph 052902 to determine requirements, reimbursement, excess costs, and restrictions that may apply to your respective vehicle, destination, and dependency status.

Members shipping in CONUS are not entitled to reimbursement for delivery to, or pick-up from the carrier. Your orders must reflect entitlement and maximum reimbursement to ship a POV. You must provide proof of ownership of your POV. 

If you are physically unable to drive or there is insufficient time, you may be granted a waiver to receive from the Office of Military Policy authorization to ship your POV INCONUS. 

Government travel credit card usage

Please remember you are not authorized to use your government travel credit card (GTCC) for transporting your HHGs. This includes any expenses incurred from a PPM. If you use your GTCC for your PCS move, you may receive administrative and/or disciplinary action, and possibly losing your GTCC privileges. For more information on this policy, please review the Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) Program Policies and Procedures.

Customer Satisfaction Survey 

Your HHG shipment is complete, now what? You must complete a Customer Satisfaction Survey (CSS) within seven days. The government uses the CSS to capture electronic feedback on satisfaction or non-satisfaction ratings of its continued use of the TSP.

Commands are encouraged to share the PPM of HHG message (include link) as well as the HHG customer survey message (include link) with anyone who will be transferring or separating in assignment year 2022.

Resources: