JBER - It's Your Move

  • Published
  • By 673d Air Base Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  It is permanent-change-of-station season once again. During a PCS, there are plenty of rules and processes that are involved in properly relocating a military member to their next duty station or on to their post-military location.  Knowing how to properly use the Defense Personal Property System and associated property relocation offices is a major bonus towards helping to secure a smoother moving experience. To get started, there are a few questions that frequently come to mind depending on the mover's situation.

DPS is a one-stop source for managing personal property moves for armed forces members, Department of Defense civilian employees and their families. This system provides the convenient twenty-four-hour, seven days a week, access to personal property shipment information and is a conduit for a direct relationship between DoD customers and transportation service providers throughout the entire moving process. 

How do I initiate my household goods move?
You must first register for a DPS account on www.move.mil. After receiving orders, you can use DPS for self-counseling and to create and submit your shipment application. DPS supports applications for household goods, non-temporary storage, unaccompanied baggage, and personally procured moves.
You will need several forms, including a completed and signed DD1229, DD1797, Power of Attorney (if applicable), and a copy of your orders, to process your applications. These can be emailed to EDFTravel@us.af.mil, faxed to 552-3826 or 384-1812, or dropped off at the Transportation Management Office (People Center, Room 247 on JBER-E or Building 600, Room 145B, on JBER-R).
For local area moves, please contact the nearest travel center or the TMO.

How soon should I start my move applications?
   Immediately after receiving hard copy orders for permanent change of station, retirement or separation, or as soon as you have selected a retirement home of selection or separation home of record location.

How long in advance do I need to submit my applications to the Personal Property Processing Office?
As early as possible, but no later than 15 days prior to your first packing day. During peak summer moving season, applications should be submitted no later than 20 days prior to your first packing day.

I'm PCSing and don't have my orders yet; can I get my household goods picked up?
You will need to contact your force support squadron's Career Development team and speak with your assignments counselor, at 552-8080, option 2. A letter-in-lieu is not authorized for a retiree, separatee, or for local moves.

I am a retiree/separatee living in base/post housing but have not made a home of selection to ship my household goods. Will the government pay to move me from base housing to the local area?
Yes, if you are being forced from base housing and you have hard copy retirement or separation orders, you will be authorized one short-distance move (within your weight allowance) from base housing to a location within the local commuting area. You will still be authorized a home of selection/home of record move within one year of your retirement date or within 180 days if separating. Please contact the local travel center or TMO concerning local moves; currently they are not processed through DPS.

I live in base/post housing and have my washer/dryer and items in non-temporary storage under a housing order. How do I get my property out of storage and into my household goods shipment?
When filling out your shipment application in DPS, request an additional pickup location, and type "NTS release" in the address block. The Joint Personal Property Shipping Office will release the storage lot as an additional pick up for inclusion with the goods from your residence.

Can I make more than one household goods shipment, or ship to an alternate location?
Yes, but this could result in additional costs to you.

What is my weight allowance?
The Joint Travel Regulation prescribes the maximum PCS weight allowance that you can ship or store at government expense based on the member's rank and dependency status. Weight allowances do not include professional books, papers and equipment, known as "pro gear." For your specific weight allowance, refer to Joint Travel Regulation, paragraph U5200-B or visit www.move.mil/documents/dod/Weight_Allowance_Table_JTR.pdf

What can I claim as pro gear?
As of May 1, 2014, the allowance limit for professional books, papers and equipment is 2,000 pounds net weight. Only specialized gear required to perform your official duties can be claimed as pro gear. It no longer includes personal computers, accompanying equipment, awards, or daily-wear uniforms. Pro-gear is calculated at seven pounds per cubic foot, and the 2,000-pound limit is not waiverable.

How much weight is taken off for packing material and pro gear?
The weight is deducted from the household goods net weight. Remaining weight is then further reduced by 10 percent for packing material. This is the final weight charged against your entitlement per shipment. (Net weight minus pro gear, minus 10 percent equals the actual chargeable net weight.)

Can I ship a boat in my household goods shipment?
Yes, a boat or personal watercraft less than 14 feet long without trailer may be shipped. "Boats" includes canoes, skiffs, sailboats, light rowboats, kayaks and dinghies, or sculls. Boats larger than 14 feet or with a trailer normally require special routing and almost always result in additional cost to you.

Can I request a certain transportation service provider to move or not move my goods?
Yes. When filling out your application in DPS, state the preferred or non-preferred provider you would or would not like to move your goods. The JPPSO will attempt to book you shipment in accordance with your request, unless the provider is unavailable during the specified pack or pickup dates.

What are the hours of the movers will work in a given day, and can I schedule pickup over the weekend?
Pickups should not begin before 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m., and movers should not start services that cannot be finished by 9 p.m. unless approved by JPPSO and customer. Shipments will not be scheduled for pack or pickup over a weekend or on federal holidays.

How long will it take to pack and pick up my shipment?
The number of actual days will depend on the amount and weight of your shipment. You should plan for about 4,000 pounds per day as an average. For example, a 14,000-pound shipment would take about four days.

How long will it take for my shipment to arrive at the destination?
This varies depending on the weight of your shipment and the distance between origin and destination. For domestic shipments, including to and from Alaska and the continental U.S., it takes normally between 25 and 30 days. For international shipments to many countries from Alaska, the transit time is approximately 70 to 75 days, and 57 days to Hawaii.

What is a required delivery date and how is it determined?
Required delivery dates are based on the distance and the weight of a shipment and the time limit the government allows the TSP to pick up and deliver the shipment. During your pre-move survey, you and the TSP should agree on a 'scheduled delivery date' which becomes your shipment's actual RDD.

When will the carrier conduct a pre-move survey and is it required?
The TSP should contact you within three business days of shipment booking and provide you with contact and pre-move information. An in residence pre-move survey is required on domestic shipments estimated at 4,700 pounds or more and all international shipments estimated at 3,200 pounds. Pre-move surveys must be conducted no later than three days prior to the pick-up date.

Will the TSP crate my shipment before putting it in their truck?
For domestic shipments including to and from Alaska, the movers have the option to crate the shipment. They make this determination based on your shipment's characteristics and the best way to protect and move your items. It is best to discuss this with your TSP during the pre-move survey. All international shipments will be crated and sealed at your residence.

What if I have items requiring a special crating?
The TSP is responsible for packaging your items to prevent damage. Requests for special services and crating of fragile items will be submitted to the JPPSO by the TSP for approval or disapproval. Items such as furniture or fragile property that will fit in standard cartons will not normally be approved for crating.

What if I need to change my pickup dates after I have submitted my shipment application?
If you have been contacted by the TSP or your pre-move survey has been completed, coordinate the date change directly with your TSP. If you have not been contacted by the movers, contact the JPPSO and request the new pickup date.

Can I ship more than one personally owned vehicle?
Only one POV is authorized for shipment at government expense per PCS, retirement or separation orders. If both spouses are in the military, then each will be authorized to ship a POV at government expense. For more information or to book an appointment, contact the Vehicle Processing Center at 300 LaTouche Street in Anchorage, call (855) 389-9499 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weedkays, or visit www.pcsmypov.com.

Can I ship my POV on my own and get reimbursed?
There are no provisions for moving a POV on your own and claiming reimbursement or an incentive payment. Contact the Vehicle Processing Center to ship your POV at government expense once you have your orders.

Am I authorized storage for my household goods at the destination?
Yes, temporary storage up to 90 days is authorized if you do not have a permanent place of residence to accept delivery. Additional storage may be approved for unique circumstances; it must be requested in writing with justification to the destination JPPSO. Shipments released from non-temporary storage should be set up for direct delivery to a residence, as temporary storage at the destination may not be authorized or approved.

How do I process my claim for damages to my HHG?
If your property is lost or damaged, you have the right to file a claim through DPS directly to the transportation service provider. For step-by-step instructions for filing your claim, visit  www.move.mil/dod/claims_css/dod_claims.cfm

Please refer to www.move.mil or contact the TMO or JPPSO for more information.

JBER Personal Property and Travel Center contacts
Transportation Officer 552-6830 
JPPSO director 552-2701 
Travel center/TMO for JBER-E 552-9648/1798/1793 EDFTravel@us.af.mil
Travel center/TMO for JBER-R 384-1763/1813/1814  EDFTravel@us.af.mil
SATO Travel (855) 732-8454/8455 Sato.elmendorf.@cwtsatotravel.com
JPPSO-Storage Management 552-2127/8209/2080 Nts.jppso@us.af.mil
JPPSO-Outbound Shipments 552-3419/2708/2080 Outbound.jppso@us.af.mil
JPPSO-Inbound Shipments 552-8209/4366/2080 Inbound.jppso@us.af.mil
JPPSO-Quality Assurance 552-7562/4002 Qa.jppso@us.af.mil