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 vehicle 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 Personal Property Office to
find out if there are any special requirements. For more information
regarding shipment of a POV, contact the Personal Property Office at
401-841-4896If you are relocating to Naval Station Newport, Newport, RI, from
overseas and are shipping your POV, please contact your Personal Property Office
at your current duty station for entitlements and restrictions.
When you
arrive, contact our local Personal Property Office for information on how to
retrieve your vehicle.