Permanent Change of Station Handbook
A Handbook on Travel and Transportation Benefits for Relocating Employees
6.0 Transporting Your Privately Owned Vehicle
|
|
Permanent Change of Station Handbook A Handbook on Travel and Transportation Benefits for Relocating Employees 6.0 Transporting Your Privately Owned Vehicle |
|
As defined in section 1.1 - Determining Your Entitlements, the entitlements of this section apply to all transfer types. |
|
This section will help you determine answers to the following questions: ü Are you eligible to ship your privately owned vehicle? ü Under what circumstances is shipment permitted? |
6.1 Guidance for Moves within the Continental United States
6.2 Guidance for Moves Outside the Continental United States
6.1 Guidance for Moves within the Continental United States
You may be eligible to ship your privately owned vehicle within CONUS only if the shipment is necessary to accelerate your arrival and availability to begin performing your duties at your new official station. If you believe it is in the benefit of your new official station to ship your privately owned vehicle in order to expedite your arrival, you must obtain approval from your new supervisor. If approved, the authorization must be documented on your Travel Authorization.
|
Hint: If you lease a vehicle, you should note the following two items:
|
You may not seek authorization to ship one privately owned vehicle for the purpose of driving a second privately owned vehicle to your new official station.
If you must report to your new official station prior to the arrival of your immediate family members, you may seek authorization to ship one privately owned vehicle. Compelling reasons for you to travel to your new official station in advance to your family include, but are not limited to, the following situations:
A member of your family is ill.
Your spouse and child(ren) need to stay at your old official station in order for the child(ren) to complete the academic year.
Your spouse and/or child(ren) need to stay at your old official station to sell your old residence.
If you are permitted to ship your privately owned vehicle, your Regional PCS Coordinator will initiate a Bill of Lading for the shipment. The vehicle will not be included as part of your household goods shipment. You must also familiarize yourself with your carrier service's policy that may require you to make additional preparations prior to shipping your privately owned vehicle (e.g., draining excess fuel). If you wish to self ship your vehicle, you must obtain approval from your supervisor at your new official station. Your supervisor will determine whether it is in the interest of the Service to authorize your request. If authorized, approval must be documented on your Travel Authorization.
Be aware that you will not be reimbursed for any of the following expenses incurred as a result of shipping your privately owned vehicle:
Shipping expenses associated with additional personal items[1].
Excess baggage fees.
Rental car and fuel expenses.
Taxi charges.
Your privately owned vehicle may take several weeks to arrive at your new official station. During this time you are responsible for any costs associated with your daily commute to your new official station. The Service cannot provide a Government vehicle for the purpose of commuting to and from work while you wait for your privately own vehicle to arrive.
[1] If you are transferring from CONUS to an OCONUS official station, or from an OCONUS to CONUS official station and you are authorized to ship your privately owned vehicle, you may be authorized to make a shipment of goods and excess baggage. For more information, contact your Regional PCS Coordinator.
6.2 Guidance for Moves Outside the Continental United States
If you and your immediate family are moving to an official station OCONUS or returning to a CONUS official station from an OCONUS official station, you may be authorized to ship one privately owned vehicle to the location of your new official station. If you wish to ship a vehicle to your new official station, you must notify your new supervisor and Regional PCS Coordinator. If your new supervisor approves the shipment of your privately owned vehicle, the authorization must be documented on your Travel Authorization. If you fail to obtain appropriate approval, there is a chance you will not be reimbursed for the costs associated with shipping your vehicle.
Authorization is subject to whether the use of your privately owned vehicle at your new official station is warranted, will contribute to you performing your job effectively, and is suitable under the local conditions.