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 NAS Pensacola and nearby installations is New
Orleans, LA. For all other VPC destinations contact the NAS
Pensacola PPO.