What happens if my household goods are lost or destroyed during a PCS move?

Under the GHC, the carrier is liable for loss at full replacement cost. File a claim in DPS or HomeSafe's claims portal within 180 days of delivery. For total loss of an item, replacement cost is the price to purchase a new equivalent item. Document everything with photographs and serial numbers before the move.

Can I include my car in a government-sponsored PCS move?

Private vehicles are not covered under the household goods weight allowance. However, if your orders include an overseas move, vehicle shipment may be authorized separately as a Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) shipment, coordinated through the Port of Embarkation. For CONUS moves, you drive or ship your vehicle at your own expense.

What is the pro-gear exemption and does it count against my weight allowance?

Pro-gear (professional gear) includes books, papers, and equipment required to perform your military duties. It is generally excluded from the basic weight allowance and has its own separate limit — typically 500 pounds for the service member and 500 pounds for a spouse with a separate profession. Rules vary by branch; confirm the current limits with your TMO before your move.

How do I choose between a PPM and a government-sponsored move?

Run the numbers: get a PPM estimate from your TMO (based on what a government move would cost), then get quotes from moving companies or truck rental agencies for your actual inventory. If you can move for materially less than the PPM reimbursement rate and have the time to coordinate it, PPM is profitable. If you have a large household, a long drive, and a compressed timeline, the government-sponsored move is usually lower stress.

How long does temporary storage last and what does it cost?

For CONUS moves, the government authorizes up to 90 days of temporary storage at destination if your housing is unavailable, extendable in 30-day increments with TMO approval. For overseas moves, NTS during an unaccompanied tour is authorized for the duration of the tour. All authorized temporary storage is at government expense within the authorized period.

What items can't I ship in a government move?

Prohibited items include hazardous materials (flammable liquids, propane tanks, ammunition, fireworks), perishables, live plants, pets, and items of extraordinary value without prior written authorization. Check the current prohibited items list with your TMO — it varies slightly by mode of transport.

MovingRated Guide

Military PCS moving guide: what to know before your orders arrive

A permanent change of station is one of the most logistically complex moves a person can make — compressed timelines, weight allowances, entitlements, and multiple housing situations all at once. This guide covers the essentials so you're not making decisions under pressure.

Edited byMovingRated EditorialReviewed May 13, 2026

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What a PCS move actually involves

A permanent change of station order authorizes you to relocate at government expense. The government either moves your household goods (HHG) through its transportation network — now managed under the Global Household Goods Contract (GHC) — or reimburses you for moving yourself under the Personally Procured Move (PPM, formerly DITY) program, or some combination of both.

The key decisions happen early. You have a short window after orders arrive to coordinate with your installation's Transportation Management Office (TMO), select your move type, and schedule pickup. Missing that window reduces your options and can push your pickup date into a compressed timeline that increases risk of damage or delay.

Weight allowances: what you're entitled to move

The military's Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) establish weight allowances based on your pay grade and whether you have dependents. For 2026, the allowances range from 5,000 pounds for an E-1 without dependents to 18,000 pounds for an O-7+ with dependents. These are hard caps — weight over the allowance comes out of your pocket.

A few practical points: the weight of packing materials (boxes, paper, bubble wrap) counts against your allowance. Pro-gear — professional books, papers, and equipment used in your military duties — can often be claimed separately outside the weight cap; check the JTR and your TMO for current rules by branch. Vehicles are not covered under household goods weight allowances.

Before your TMO appointment, walk through your home and estimate your weight. A rough rule of thumb: 1,000 pounds per furnished room is a starting estimate, adjusted upward for heavy items (pianos, safes, large exercise equipment) and downward for mostly empty rooms.

PPM/DITY: moving yourself for a reimbursement

The Personally Procured Move program pays you a portion of what the government would have paid a moving company to transport your goods. If you can move your belongings for less than that amount, the difference is yours to keep — tax-advantaged under certain conditions.

The government pays 100% of the constructive cost (what a government-contracted move would have cost) for a full PPM. You must obtain certified weight tickets at an empty and loaded weigh, keep all receipts, and file the claim through your TMO. Partial PPMs — where you move some items yourself and have the government move the rest — are permitted.

PPM works well if you have fewer heavy items, own a large vehicle or can rent a truck inexpensively, and have time to coordinate the logistics yourself. It works poorly if you have a large household, a long drive, and a tight reporting date. Run the numbers against your specific situation before committing.

The Global Household Goods Contract (GHC) move

Since 2023, the Department of Defense has been transitioning household goods moves to the Global Household Goods Contract, operated by HomeSafe Alliance. Under GHC, a single company manages the entire move — intake, packing, transport, delivery, and claims — rather than the fragmented network of local carriers previously used.

Practically, this means you'll work with HomeSafe's system for scheduling, and the physical move will be handled by a network of service providers under HomeSafe's coordination. The intent is to reduce the fragmentation that historically caused damage disputes, missed pickup windows, and claims delays.

File any pre-move damage documentation — existing scratches, dents, and chips on furniture — thoroughly on the inventory sheet at pickup. This documentation is your baseline for any claims after delivery.

Non-temporary storage (NTS) and temporary storage

If your orders include an unaccompanied tour, remote assignment, or you're moving into temporary housing, you may be entitled to Non-Temporary Storage (NTS). NTS is government-paid storage for the duration of an unaccompanied tour, with limits defined in the JTR. Temporary storage at destination is also authorized for a limited period (typically 90 days, extendable under certain circumstances) if your housing isn't ready.

Coordinate NTS through your TMO well in advance. Once goods are in NTS, retrieval requires another pickup coordination and can take time — factor this into your planning if you might need items during the storage period.

BAH timing and avoiding gaps

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) transitions between duty stations can create financial gaps if not managed carefully. Generally, BAH at the gaining duty station begins on the date you report. If your family remains behind (command-sponsored dependent delay), you may be entitled to BAH at the old rate for a period — check DFAS and your orders for specifics.

The risk area is if you're in temporary lodging at your new installation while your household goods haven't arrived. Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) is a separate entitlement covering up to 10 days (60 days overseas) of lodging costs. Keep all receipts.

The 60-day pre-move timeline

Sixty to 90 days before your report date, contact your TMO and initiate the move request. Get on their schedule early — summer PCS season is the military's version of peak moving season, with disproportionate demand between April and September.

Thirty to 45 days out: confirm pickup dates, verify your weight estimate, and decide on PPM vs. government move. If you're doing a partial PPM, get both arrangements confirmed.

Two weeks out: begin decluttering. Anything you're not taking reduces weight and the risk of loss or damage. Sell, donate, or dispose of items you won't move rather than paying to transport them.

One week out: don't pack liquids, hazardous materials, or items the mover won't transport (check their prohibited items list). Back up all digital files and carry irreplaceable documents — passports, birth certificates, medical records — separately.

Moving day: be present for the entire loading. Sign the inventory sheets only after verifying they accurately reflect what was loaded and the condition notations.

Filing a damage claim after a PCS move

Damage claims for government-sponsored moves go through the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) or HomeSafe's claims portal under GHC. You have 180 days from delivery to file a loss or damage claim. Document damage with photographs immediately upon delivery — before you move anything — and note it on the delivery receipt before signing.

The standard of liability for government-sponsored moves is "full replacement cost" for new items, and actual value (considering depreciation) for older items. Claims under $1,500 must be settled by the carrier within 60 days. Larger claims have longer timelines.

If your claim is denied or you believe the settlement is inadequate, you can request arbitration through the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC). The process is free for service members.

Key resources for PCS planning

The Defense Personal Property System (move.mil) is the primary portal for requesting and tracking government-sponsored moves. Your installation's TMO (sometimes called the Personal Property Office or PPO) is your primary point of contact and can answer branch-specific questions.

The Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) is the authoritative source for entitlements — it's dense but searchable. For BAH rates by duty station, DFAS maintains a current lookup at defensetravel.dod.mil. For claims, the SDDC consumer tip line is (800) 462-4784.

Military OneSource offers relocation services and can connect you with financial counseling if you're navigating the financial gaps that often accompany a PCS.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my household goods are lost or destroyed during a PCS move?: Under the GHC, the carrier is liable for loss at full replacement cost. File a claim in DPS or HomeSafe's claims portal within 180 days of delivery. For total loss of an item, replacement cost is the price to purchase a new equivalent item. Document everything with photographs and serial numbers before the move.
Can I include my car in a government-sponsored PCS move?: Private vehicles are not covered under the household goods weight allowance. However, if your orders include an overseas move, vehicle shipment may be authorized separately as a Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) shipment, coordinated through the Port of Embarkation. For CONUS moves, you drive or ship your vehicle at your own expense.
What is the pro-gear exemption and does it count against my weight allowance?: Pro-gear (professional gear) includes books, papers, and equipment required to perform your military duties. It is generally excluded from the basic weight allowance and has its own separate limit — typically 500 pounds for the service member and 500 pounds for a spouse with a separate profession. Rules vary by branch; confirm the current limits with your TMO before your move.
How do I choose between a PPM and a government-sponsored move?: Run the numbers: get a PPM estimate from your TMO (based on what a government move would cost), then get quotes from moving companies or truck rental agencies for your actual inventory. If you can move for materially less than the PPM reimbursement rate and have the time to coordinate it, PPM is profitable. If you have a large household, a long drive, and a compressed timeline, the government-sponsored move is usually lower stress.
How long does temporary storage last and what does it cost?: For CONUS moves, the government authorizes up to 90 days of temporary storage at destination if your housing is unavailable, extendable in 30-day increments with TMO approval. For overseas moves, NTS during an unaccompanied tour is authorized for the duration of the tour. All authorized temporary storage is at government expense within the authorized period.
What items can't I ship in a government move?: Prohibited items include hazardous materials (flammable liquids, propane tanks, ammunition, fireworks), perishables, live plants, pets, and items of extraordinary value without prior written authorization. Check the current prohibited items list with your TMO — it varies slightly by mode of transport.