Transfer Season 2013 Household Goods (HHG) Shipping Information

ALCOAST 132/13
COMDTNOTE 4050

SUBJ: TRANSFER SEASON 2013 HOUSEHOLD GOODS (HHG) SHIPPING INFORMATION AND MANDATORY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY

1. Transfer season 2013 will be in full swing soon and whether a member is performing a long distance permanent change of station (PCS) move or a funded short distance move, HHG counseling is necessary. HHG counseling may be conducted in person by a Transportation Officer (TO), or members may self counsel using the Defense Personal Property System (DPS). Requests for short distance HHG moves, including those to or from unusually arduous sea duty, must be forwarded to COMDT (CG-1222) for consideration.
2. The time period between 15 May and 31 July is the peak of the HHG moving season. If at all possible, members should avoid requesting a HHG shipment during this peak season. As soon as possible after receipt of authenticated Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, members should contact their HHG transportation office to request a HHG movement, or self counsel in DPS. The earlier a HHG shipment is requested the more likely the requested packing, pick-up, and delivery dates can be met. Requested dates are not guaranteed, so members should not cancel or enter into a rental agreement, lease, or buy or sell a home until they have verified with their TO and their Transportation Service Provider (TSP) that their requested dates are confirmed.
3. After a member receives their authenticated PCS orders, please direct them to www.move.mil to register in DPS. DPS allows members and spouses to self counsel, request HHG packing, pick-up and delivery dates, and file any necessary damage claims directly with the TSP from their desk or home. After a member registers in DPS, it will take up to 72 hours to receive their user name and password to schedule their move. Because a common access card is required to register in DPS, members conducting their first or last move (accession, separation, or retirement) should visit a transportation office to set up their HHG shipment.
4. DPS is not available underway. If members assigned afloat cannot schedule their HHG movements while in port, they may see their legal assistance office or transportation office to grant another person a special power of attorney to schedule their HHG movements.
5. During HHG peak season it may be difficult to secure a Government contracted TSP that meets everyones desired packing, pick-up, and delivery dates. If a TSP cannot be contracted that meets a members desired dates, members have the option to conduct a Personally Procured Move (PPM), previously known as a Do-It-Yourself Move. If a member properly conducts a PPM they will receive an incentive payment up to 95 percent of what it would have cost the Government to move their HHGs based on certified weight tickets, not to exceed their maximum weight allowance, at the Governments best value rate in one shipment. More information on PPMs will be published in a separate ALCOAST.
6. Exceeding HHG weight limits is the number one reason members pay excess costs for HHG shipments. To avoid paying excess costs members must be aware of their maximum HHG weight allowance, found in the Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR), U5310.b.2. To reduce HHG weight and prevent excess costs, members are encouraged to dispose of any unwanted or unneeded HHG. To help estimate HHG weights, a weight estimating tool is available on the www.move.mil web site. Also, the TSP will estimate the weight of members HHG during the pre-move survey. If a member desires a witnessed HHG reweigh it must be requested before HHGs are delivered. It is not possible to reweigh HHGs after delivery.
7. Professional books, papers, and equipment, also known as pro gear, do not count toward a members HHG weight allowance. However, all items claimed as pro gear must meet the definition of pro gear in JFTR U5310-C and JFTR Appendix A. Items not meeting the description of pro gear will count toward a members maximum HHG weight allowance. Because spousal pro gear is limited to 500 pounds, a member cannot combine their pro gear with spousal pro gear. An itemized inventory of spousal pro gear must be provided to the TO at the time of counseling and must indicate the profession for which the items are being used (e.g. lawyer, doctor, teacher). The itemized inventory of spousal pro gear must be certified by the members signature.
8. Members are responsible for ensuring pro gear is separated from HHG during packing and weighed separately during pick-up. All pro gear must be identified as such on the TSP inventory sheet at origin and the estimated weight must be entered on the Application for Shipment and/or Storage of Personal Property, DD Form 1299. Ensure the term M-PRO is used to identify the military members pro gear and S-PRO is used to identify spousal pro gear. Each line item for pro gear must indicate M-PRO/S-PRO, cubic ft, and pounds. Pro gear cannot be claimed after the fact. There are no exceptions or waivers to this policy.
9. Another important feature of DPS is the ability to grade a TSPs performance by submitting a Customer Satisfaction Survey (CSS). The CSS process is simple and its importance cannot be overstated. The CSS is used to document positive and negative experiences and helps determine the number of military HHG shipments a TSP will receive in the future. Because the CSS can only be completed after delivery of HHG, members should make note of anything positive or negative they would like to include in their CSS.
10. Damage claim submission is the responsibility of the member. Completion and submission of the Joint Statement of Loss or Damage at Delivery, DD Form 1840 by the member and TSP, and the Notice of Loss or Damage, DD Form 1840R by the member after the TSP departs does not constitute filing a claim. These forms are only used for proper notification of loss or damage to a TSP. A claim is separate and distinct, and must be submitted in a timely manner. See www.move.mil and the Coast Guard Finance Centers (FINCEN) web site www.fincen.uscg.mil/hhg.htm for guidance on HHG damage claim submissions. If a TSP offers to submit a claim on a members behalf, the member should decline the TSPs offer and request all documentation associated with their move to submit the claim themselves.
11. Full replacement value (FRV) protection now applies to all HHG shipments. It is important for service members to understand that FRV does not mean that a member will receive the full replacement cost for every item lost, damaged, or destroyed. To find more information on FRV a member can visit the Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) web site www.sddc.army.mil/pp/default.aspx. If a member desires additional HHG damage insurance they may purchase it from a private insurance provider.
12. The pamphlet "Its Your Move" contains guidance about shipping HHGs. This pamphlet and other useful HHG information are available at www.fincen.uscg.mil/hhg.htm. Additional HHG transportation information can also be found at the SDDC web site www.sddc.army.mil/pp/default.aspx.
13. In accordance with JFTR, par. U5417, members with dependents who own more than one POV may ship a second POV within the Continental United States (INCONUS). However, the member and their dependents must travel together in one POV, and commercial travel at government expense is not authorized for the member or any dependents. The Governments reimbursement for transporting a second POV will be limited to the monetary allowance in lieu of transportation (MALT) plus per diem a member or dependent would have been entitled to for non-concurrent travel by two POVs to the new PDS, or the actual cost to ship a second POV whichever is less. Any excess costs incurred to ship a second POV will be borne by the member. Members must personally arrange for shipment of a second POV INCONUS and are not entitled to reimbursement for delivery to, or pick-up from the carrier. Members orders must reflect this entitlement and display the maximum reimbursement computations. The entitlement to ship a POV INCONUS when the member is physically unable to drive or there is insufficient time in accordance with JFTR, par. U5415 may only be authorized by COMDT (CG-1222).
14. To ensure members are aware of their HHG transportation entitlements and the requirements of this ALCOAST commands are to ensure that all members departing PCS receive a printed copy of this ALCOAST. Also, HHG counseling should be placed on each units PCS check in/out sheet.
15. COMDT (CG-1222) POC is CWO Randy Jeffery at 202-475-5393, James.R.Jeffery@uscg.mil or Mr. Tony Pearson at 202-475-5368, Anthony.H.Pearson@uscg.mil.
16. RADM Steven E. Day, Acting Director Reserve and Military Personnel Policy sends.
17. Internet release authorized.