You are allowed to ship one privately owned vehicle at government expense to or from an overseas area when permitted (some overseas areas restrict shipment of POVs).  The entitlement to ship an otherwise eligible POV from overseas to the United States is not dependent on whether a POV was shipped to the overseas area.  The entitlement to ship a POV to the overseas area and the entitlement to ship a POV from the overseas area are separate.  For the purpose of this shipment, a POV is a vehicle owned by the member or a dependent of the member (member must show proof of ownership/registration or lease agreement) that: Is self-propelled; Is required to be licensed to travel overland on public highways; Has four or more wheels; and Is designed to carry passengers or property. At the option of the member shipping a vehicle overseas, a motorcycle or moped may be considered a POV if the member does not ship a vehicle with four or more wheels under the same set of military orders.  The government will not ship a vehicle intended for commercial use, nor will it pay all shipping charges for vehicles exceeding 20-measurement tons (800 cubic feet) in size.  (The length multiplied by the width multiplied by the height (all in feet) and the total divided by 40 gives measurement tons).  A member who ships a vehicle exceeding this size must pay the excess shipping charge.  Before you make a firm decision to ship a POV overseas, investigate area requirements, insurance costs and maintenance availability.  A vehicle under a long-term lease (12 months or longer) may be shipped if you obtain written permission from the leasing company.  These facts will help you determine whether or not you should ship a POV.  Some countries have laws limiting certain characteristics (color, and optional equipment, including citizen band radios, for example) of POVs that may be brought into that country.  Overseas commanders and/or service policy also restricts POV shipment to some countries.  It is wise to get this information as soon as possible after receiving overseas orders.  In this way you will have time to assure that your vehicle meets all necessary requirements. Contact your sponsor and transportation office to find out if there are any special requirements.  For more information regarding shipment of a POV contact the Personal Property Office at (301)677-4943.

This information is designed for military and civilian personnel authorized to ship POVs at government expense.  It is based on entitlements from the Joint Federal Travel Regulation (JFTR), Volume I, for military members and Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) Volume II, for civilian employees.  In addition, it contains information generally found in Department of Defense (DOD) 4500.34R, Personal Property Traffic Management Regulation (PPTMR).   You are eligible to ship a POV if:

- You are a member of the U.S. Armed forces  - You are a DOD civilian and your orders authorize shipment of your POV
- You are a retiree authorized to ship a POV

Contact your local transportation office if you have concerns about shipping a POV.

The entitlement to ship a POV is limited to a permanent change of station to, from, or between places overseas; or upon official change in home port of the vessel to which you are assigned. The transportation office will determine your entitlement based on your PCS orders.

Only one POV owned or leased by you or your dependent 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, consult your sponsor and transportation office for any restrictions. You may have to pay an import duty on a second POV.

Your local Transportation Office has information on specific United States and Overseas host nation restrictions.

For import and export, have POV cleaned, inside and out. Roll up all windows, empty the glove compartment have seven copies of your orders have one complete set of keys, have one set of keys for all locks be prepared to inspect your POV for loss or damage

For all locks have available the make, model, color, year, serial no., and a valid safety inspection from the state of registration.

Your POV may not exceed 20 measurement tons for shipment. A measurement ton equals 40 cubic feet. A compact car averages about nine measurement tons, a full-size car about fifteen. Note that exterior dimensions determine the size (measurement tons)of a vehicle; therefore remove truck mirrors and other articles which extend from the vehicle, as you will be liable to pay for transportation costs for any measurement ton in excess of 20.

You may ship only self-propelled, wheeled motor vehicles, this includes automobiles, station wagons, jeeps, motorcycles, motor scooters, vans and pick-ups.

To ship a long-term (12 months or longer) leased POV, you must provide written authority from the leasing company. The authority must include the company's acknowledgement that return shipment prior to your next PCS is a private matter between it and you. All requirements stated in the lease are your responsibility.

You may only ship the following in your car:

- Tools (not to exceed $100.00 in value)     - Items such as jacks, tire irons, tire chains, fire extinguishers, tire inflators, first aid kits, jumper cables, and warning triangle/trouble lights  - One spare tire and two snow tires with wheels (either mounted or unmounted)  - Portable cribs and children's car seats, whether permanent or removable  - Luggage racks  - Small items such as 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 items may be placed in the trunk without the carton.   - Catalytic converters, catalyst components(pellets), oxygen sensors and pipe segments used to replace converters in overseas areas.

Obtain a copy of "Shipping Your POV" from your local transportation office before you ship your POV.You must acquire an EPA waiver letter from your local Transportation Office before emission control components are removed.  You will need a copy of your PCS orders, vehicle registration and must know the date you will turn your POV into the port for shipment.  Any emission control equipment which is removed from your POV must be retained in the POV and not shipped or stored separately.  The EPA waiver letter will allow you to have your emission control components removed up to 10 working days (14 calendar days) prior to turn-in of the vehicle to the terminal for shipment.

This information is designed for military and civilian personnel authorized to ship POVs at government expense.  It is based on entitlements from the Joint Federal Travel Regulation (JFTR), Volume I, for military members and Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) Volume II, for civilian employees.  In addition, it contains information generally found in Department of Defense (DOD) 4500.34R, Personal Property Traffic Management Regulation (PPTMR).

You are eligible to ship a POV if:   - You are a member of the U.S. Armed forces  - You are a DOD civilian and your orders authorize shipment of your POV  - You are a retiree authorized to ship a POV

Contact your local transportation office if you have concerns about shipping a POV.

The entitlement to ship a POV is limited to a permanent change of station to, from, or between places overseas; or upon official change in home port of the vessel to which you are assigned. The transportation office will determine your entitlement based on your PCS orders.

Only one POV owned or leased by you or your dependent 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, consult your sponsor and transportation office for any restrictions. You may have to pay an import duty on a second POV.

Your local Transportation Office has information on specific United States and Overseas host nation restrictions.

For export, have POV cleaned, inside and out, roll up all windows, empty the glove compartment , have seven copies of your orders have one complete set of keys for all locks be prepared to inspect your POV for loss or damage, have a valid safety inspection from the state of registration

For all locks have available the make, model, color, year, serial no.

Your POV may not exceed 20 measurement tons for shipment. A measurement ton equals 40 cubic feet. A compact car averages about nine measurement tons, a full-size car about fifteen. Note that exterior dimensions determine the size (measurement tons)of a vehicle; therefore remove truck mirrors and other articles which extend from the vehicle, as you will be liable to pay for transportation costs for any measurement ton in excess of 20.

You may ship only self-propelled, wheeled motor vehicles, this includes automobiles, station wagons, jeeps, motorcycles, motor scooters, vans and pick-ups.

To ship a long-term (12 months or longer) leased POV, you must provide written authority from the leasing company. The authority must include the company's acknowledgement that return shipment prior to your next PCS is a private matter between it and you. All requirements stated in the lease are your responsibility.

You may only ship the following in your car:  - Tools (not to exceed $100.00 in value)     - Items such as jacks, tire irons, tire chains, fire extinguishers, tire inflators, first aid kits, jumper cables, and warning triangle/trouble lights  - One spare tire and two snow tires with wheels (either mounted or unmounted)  - Portable cribs and children's car seats, whether permanent or removable  - Luggage racks  - Small items such as 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 items may be placed in  the trunk without the carton.   - Catalytic converters, catalyst components(pellets), oxygen sensors and pipe segments used to replace converters in overseas areas.   You will need your shipping document (DD Form 788, military ID, copy of orders, power of attorney (if you are not the service member).

Obtain a copy of "Shipping Your POV" from your local transportation office before you ship your POV.

Check with your local transportation office to determine the POV processing center you will use.


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