You are eligible to ship a POV (Privately Owned Vehicle) if your
are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and are authorized to ship a POV to your
duty station (some destinations do not authorize shipment of POVs); you are a
DoD civilian and your orders authorize shipment of your POV; you are a retiree
authorized to ship a POV. To find out if you are authorized contact
your PPO or Transportation (TMO) office, or your Relocation Assistance
Office.
The entitlement to ship a POV is limited to a permanent change of
station (PCS) to, from, or between places overseas; or upon official change in
homeport of the vessel to which you are assigned. The PPO/TMO office
will determine your entitlement based on your PCS orders.
Only 1 (one)
POV owned or leased by you or your family members (spouse/children) and for your
personal use may be shipped to your new duty station at Government
expense. If you desire to make your own arrangements to ship an
additional POV commercially, consult your sponsor and PPO/TMO office for any
restrictions. You may have to pay an import duty on a second
POV. The PPO/TMO has information on specific U.S. and overseas host
nation restrictions.
You may ship at government expense a POV that does
not exceed 20 measurement tons. Exceptions may be grated for medical
reasons. A measurement ton equals 40 cubic feet. A compact
car averages about 9 measurement tones; a full size car, about 15. If
you ship a pickup truck with a camper, a recreational vehicle, a panel truck
converted to a camper, or similar vehicle that exceeds 20 measurement tons, you
will be liable to pay transportation costs for any measurement ton in excess of
20. These costs will be collected in accordance with your military
service's regulations. Separatees must pay in advance of
shipment. Exterior dimensions determine the size (measurement tones)
of a vehicle; remove truck mirrors and other articles that extend from the
vehicle and that could create excess cost.
Insurance and
Licensing
U.S. In some U.S. states, armed forces or host-nation vehicle
registrations, license plates, and licenses either are not valid or are valid
for only a very short time. Arrange to obtain these items prior to
taking delivery of your POV. Most state motor vehicle divisions will
accept registrations of POVs by mail. You should insure your POV
before taking delivery. Coverage must meet minimum requirements
prescribed by the state where your next duty station is located - in the State
of Florida the minimum insurance requirement is
10/20/10.
Overseas Insurance, taxes, and licensing vary from
country to country overseas. The best sources of information are your
PPO/TMO, overseas Sponsor, Relocation Assistance Office. You are
responsible for obtaining insurance and licenses and paying taxes. Be
sure to check on these items will in advance of making your
shipment. Insurance is often much more expensive
overseas. Also if your POV is financed you will have to obtain a
letter of authorization from your lienholder before you can ship your
POV.
Only self-propelled, wheeled motor vehicles can be
shipped. This includes automobiles, station wagons, jeeps,
motorcycles, motor scooters, vans, and pickups. Other
passenger-carrying, multipurpose motor vehicles designed for overland ground
transportation not specifically listed above may qualify; however, these
generally require a written certification stating the vehicle is for personal
use as a passenger-carrying vehicle. POVs that are modified to be
"low riders" must have at least 6 inches of clearance to prevent damage to POV
during car carrier load/download. POVs cannot have a lift kit higher
than 3 inches. However, host country (overseas destinations)
restrictions may apply - make sure you check with PPO/TMO.
You must make
sure that only authorized personal articles remain in your POV when it is turned
in for processing. All household items and comaping equipment must be
removed. You may ship tools (not to exceed a $200 value); items such
as jacks tire irons, tire chains, fire extinguishers, nonflammable tire
inflators, first aid kits, jumper cables, and warning triangle/trouble lights;
one spare tire and 2 snow tires with wheels (either mounted or unmounted);
portable cribs, children's car seats, and strollers; luggage racks; small items
like thermos bottles, bottle warmers, and car cushions if they can be packed
entirely within a carton provided by the port; if your POV is going to be
containerized at the port, these articles may be placed in the trunk without the
carton. Factory or non-factory stereo and speakers in car or trunk
but they must be bolted down or permanently fixed as part of the POV.
You
cannot ship (in your POV) Tvs and VCR/DVD players, unless factory installed;
accessories not permanently installed; flammable or hazardous substances such as
waxes, oils, paints, solvents, polishes. Dispose of any liquids
(antifreeze or air fresheners that may be spilled and leave stain; any
pressurized cans; CB (citizen band) radios. Importation and operation
of CB radios are prohibited in most overseas countries.
At origin of
debarkation have 7 copies of your orders and any amendments. U.S. Customs
(19CFR192) requires one certified (notarized) and 2 copies of the original or
certified copy of the vehicle title. The title must include the
vehicle identification number (VIN) or, if the vehicle does not have a VIN, the
product identification number; provide written approval from leasing company, or
lienholder authorizing export; ensure your POV contains no more than 1/4 tank of
fuel (gas or diesel); if the vehicle is leased, you must have a letter from the
3rd party (leasing company authorizing exportation of the vehicle; have in your
possession a valid driver's license, proof of ownership (title and
registration), and a photo ID; contact vehcile processing area prior to shipment
if PCS is to a remote area; have in your possession a complete set of keys, to
include gas cap and wheel lock keys, if necessary, upon delivery to the vehicle
processing center. Retain a complete set of duplicate keys and have
them with you when you pick up the POV; turn off or otherwise disconnect
installed auto alarm or anti-theft device prior to
turn-in.
There must also be a signed letter of authorization,
power of attorney, or other acceptableevidence of agency if POV is delivered by
someone other than the service member - not required of spouse if on orders;
ensure your agent has proper civilian ID and all other documantation required to
ship your POV; make sure your POV is in a safe and opeable condition when you
turn it in at the port; make sure your POV is clean (the VPC will not accept a
POV laden with dirt, soil, mud or similar matter, to include the undercarriage;
empty the glove compartments; have the make, model, color, year, and serial
number of your POV; have mileage of vehicle at time of turn-in; provide a
destination address where you may be notified that POV is ready for
pick-up.
Make sure you POV meets any host nation emission control and
safety standards. You may be required to make some modifications
prior to shipping your POV. Since your POV may be exposed to freezing
temperatures during shipment or during storage at the destination terminal,
safeguard the cooling system with a permanent-type antifreeze
solution. An antifreeze testing to minus 20 degrees Fahreheit or
lower should be used. Consider rust protection and undercoating prior
to shipment. Climatic conditions in certain areas of the world may
cause your PPOV to deteriorate rapidly without some type of
protection. Make sure you read the liability statements on the
reverse of DD Form 788, or commercial equivalent POV inspection and shipping
form.
Recently there were changes made for the shipment of POVs in
CONUS. For US Naval active duty personnel you will go to PSD for
processing and eligibility. For all other branches of the military
(USAF, USA, USMC, USCG) report to your respective personnel offices.
For
filing a claim for damages to a POV incurred during shipment you will need to
make sure you obtain you DD Form 788. Upon receipt of your POV(s)
check the condition of your vehicle and note all damages on DD Form 788 and have
the Port Master sign off - you are NOT saying he did it only that he also sees
the damage and you are indicating the damage at pick-up. You will
need to take DD Form 788, statement detailing missing items or pre-existin
damages, and estimate of repair/replacement costs (and one itemized estimate of
repair from a LICENSED repair shop in the area), copy of vehicle registration,
declaration of insurance coverage, copy of insurance policy and/or settlement
from insurance company and a copy of your orders to the Claims Office at
Personal Property. For additiona information or assistance contact
the NAS Pensacola Personal Property Claims Office.
Vehicle Processing
Center (VPC) operating hours CONUS wide for POV Processing is 0800-1600, M-F,
except Federal Holidays. You are encouraged to arrive at the VPC no
later than 1530 to insure processing is completed on time.
The nearest VPC to
MCAS Beaufort is Charleston, SC. For all other VPC destinations contact the MCAS
Beaufort TMO.