Can I do a PPM to an OCONUS location?

Yes, but it's rarely cost-effective. You can arrange your own shipment to Alaska or Hawaii and get reimbursed up to the government's cost, but the OCONUS rate is lower because sea freight is expensive. Most service members let the government handle OCONUS HHG and only do PPM for CONUS moves.

How long does it take for household goods to arrive OCONUS?

Unaccompanied baggage (UB) typically arrives in 2 to 6 weeks. Household goods (HHG) shipped by sea take 8 to 16 weeks, sometimes longer if there are port delays or customs holds. Plan to live without your HHG for at least 12 weeks.

What happens if I exceed my weight allowance?

You pay out of pocket for the excess weight at the government rate, typically $0.50 to $1.00 per pound depending on distance. The Transportation Service Provider will weigh your shipment after loading. If you're over, they'll notify you and you'll get a bill from DFAS after delivery.

Can I store my household goods if my OCONUS orders are unaccompanied?

Yes. If your orders specify an unaccompanied tour (common for Korea or remote assignments), you're authorized non-temporary storage (NTS) for the duration of your tour. Your transportation office will arrange approved storage at no cost to you.

What items are prohibited in OCONUS shipments?

You cannot ship lithium batteries, aerosols, flammables, cleaning chemicals, ammunition, or certain foods in either unaccompanied baggage or household goods. Customs agents will inspect your shipment, and prohibited items will be confiscated. Dispose of these before pack-out or leave them with family stateside.

Military PCS: The CONUS vs OCONUS Playbook (Updated 2025)

What's the Difference Between CONUS and OCONUS PCS Moves?

A CONUS (Continental United States) PCS is a permanent change of station within the 48 contiguous states. An OCONUS move is everything else: Alaska, Hawaii, overseas bases in Germany, Japan, Korea, Guam, or any location outside the lower 48. The distinction matters because the Defense Personal Property Program (DP3) applies different weight allowances, shipping methods, timelines, and reimbursement rules to each.

Both types are covered under the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), but OCONUS moves trigger additional requirements: customs paperwork, port call schedules, unaccompanied baggage (UB) allowances, and sometimes a non-temporary storage (NTS) authorization if your household goods (HHG) can't arrive for months. If you're doing a personally procured move (PPM, formerly known as a DITY move), the math changes, too. OCONUS PPM rates are often lower because the government's cost to ship overseas is higher, shrinking your incentive payment.

This guide walks through the specific rules, timelines, and decision points for each scenario so you can plan your PCS without surprises.

CONUS PCS: Weight Allowances and Timelines

For CONUS moves, your weight allowance is based on rank and dependent status, per JTR Table 5-45. A few common examples:

E-1 to E-5 (no dependents): 5,000 to 7,000 pounds
E-6 to E-9 (with dependents): 11,000 to 14,500 pounds
O-1 to O-3 (with dependents): 12,500 to 13,000 pounds
O-4 to O-6 (with dependents): 14,500 to 18,000 pounds

Your transportation office (TO) will issue orders and a weight ticket. If you exceed your allowance, you pay out of pocket for the overage at the government rate, roughly $0.50 to $1.00 per pound depending on distance.

CONUS shipments typically move via a Transportation Service Provider (TSP) under a government contract. Once your pack-out date is set, the TSP has up to 7 days to pack and load, and delivery windows range from 7 to 21 days depending on distance. If the TSP misses the delivery window, you can file a claim under the Inconvenience Claim provision (up to $500 in some cases).

You can also choose a partial or full PPM. You rent a truck, pack yourself, and get reimbursed a percentage (currently 95 to 100%) of what the government would have paid the TSP. Use the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) PPM estimator to calculate your incentive. Save every receipt, weight ticket (full and empty truck), and tolls. goCubify's military moving page has a checklist for PPM documentation.

OCONUS PCS: The Two-Shipment System and Customs

OCONUS moves split your belongings into two categories: unaccompanied baggage (UB) and household goods (HHG). UB is the fast lane, typically 350 to 1,000 pounds depending on rank and dependents. It ships by air and arrives in 2 to 6 weeks. HHG goes by sea and can take 8 to 16 weeks. Some assignments (like Korea or remote OCONUS) authorize only UB for the first year, with HHG held in non-temporary storage stateside.

Your UB should include essentials: kitchen starter kit (pot, pan, plates, utensils), linens, work uniforms, kids' school supplies, and a few comfort items like photos or a small rug. Do not pack prohibited items: lithium batteries, aerosols, cleaning chemicals, or anything flammable. Customs agents will inspect your UB, and violations can delay delivery or result in confiscation.

Your HHG follows the same weight allowance as CONUS, but the shipment process involves a customs declaration (DD Form 1840-R for some countries) and proof of ownership for high-value items like electronics or jewelry. The TSP will pack, but you need to be present for inventory. Every box gets a numbered sticker, and you sign the inventory sheet. Keep a copy. If something arrives damaged or missing, that inventory is your proof.

OCONUS Timeline Example

Week 1 to 2: Receive orders, brief with TO, schedule pack dates.
Week 3: UB pack-out.
Week 4 to 6: HHG pack-out, ship to port.
Week 6 to 10: UB arrives OCONUS.
Week 12 to 20: HHG arrives, clears customs, delivered.

Port delays, customs holds, and local base logistics can push HHG arrival beyond 20 weeks. Plan to live out of your UB and suitcases for at least 8 weeks.

OCONUS PPM: Rarely Worth It, But Possible

You can do a full or partial PPM to an OCONUS location, but the logistics and cost often make it impractical. If you're moving to Alaska or Hawaii, you can drive to a West Coast port and ship your vehicle and a rental truck's contents via a commercial shipper. The government will reimburse up to the rate they would have paid the contracted TSP, but that rate is lower for OCONUS because sea freight is expensive. Your incentive shrinks.

Most service members skip OCONUS PPM unless they have a high-value vehicle they want to drive (like a classic car) or they're moving to Alaska and prefer to drive the ALCAN Highway. For Hawaii, Japan, Germany, or Korea, the government-arranged HHG shipment is almost always the better financial and logistical choice.

Storage: NTS Rules for CONUS and OCONUS

Non-temporary storage (NTS) is authorized when your household goods can't be delivered to your new duty station. Common scenarios:

OCONUS unaccompanied tour (Korea, remote assignments) where family stays CONUS.
Government housing or base housing not ready, and temporary lodging allowance (TLA) period expires.
Separation or retirement, and you need time to find permanent housing.

For CONUS, NTS is typically authorized for up to 90 days initially, renewable in 90-day increments with TO approval. For OCONUS, NTS can be authorized for the entire tour length if your orders specify unaccompanied.

The government pays for NTS in an approved facility. If you want to use a civilian storage unit instead, you can, but reimbursement is capped at the government rate. Keep all receipts. If your orders change and you need to ship your NTS items OCONUS mid-tour, contact your TO immediately. That's a separate shipment authorization.

Cost: What the Government Covers and What You Pay

For both CONUS and OCONUS, the government covers the full cost of a TSP-arranged move up to your weight allowance. You pay nothing for packing, loading, transport, or delivery if you stay within limits. You also get:

Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE): Up to 10 days CONUS, up to $290/day depending on location and dependents.
Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA): Up to 60 days OCONUS, rates vary by country.
Dislocation Allowance (DLA): One-time lump sum based on rank and dependents, ranges from $2,000 to $4,000.
Mileage and per diem: If you drive to your new duty station, you get mileage at the current federal rate ($0.67/mile in 2025) and per diem for each travel day.

If you exceed your weight allowance, you pay the overage. If the TSP damages or loses items, you file a claim under the Full Replacement Value (FRV) or Depreciated Replacement Value option you selected at pack-out. FRV costs a small fee but covers full replacement cost. Depreciated value is free but pays current market value, which is usually much less.

For PPM, you get reimbursed a percentage of the government's cost. That percentage is set by DFAS and changes annually. In 2025, it's 100% of the baseline rate. You keep any savings if you move for less than the reimbursement, but you pay any overage out of pocket.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

1. Missing the TO briefing. Your transportation office briefing is mandatory. If you skip it, your shipment can be delayed or denied. Schedule it as soon as you get orders.

2. Packing prohibited items. OCONUS customs will confiscate aerosols, lithium batteries, flammables, and certain foods. The TSP won't pack them either. Dispose of these before pack-out or carry them in your personal vehicle if CONUS.

3. Not doing a high-value inventory. If you're shipping jewelry, electronics, or collectibles, list them separately on the high-value inventory (DD Form 1840 or TSP equivalent). Without this, your claim is capped at $5,000 total.

4. Forgetting to weigh your PPM truck. For PPM reimbursement, you need certified weight tickets: one with the truck full, one empty. Use a commercial scale (grain elevator, dump station, truck stop). No ticket means no reimbursement.

5. Not keeping a copy of the inventory. When the TSP packs your HHG, they generate a numbered inventory. Sign it, but keep a copy. If something is damaged or missing on delivery, the inventory is your proof. No inventory, no claim.

6. Assuming HHG will arrive on time OCONUS. Plan for 12 to 16 weeks. Budget for eating out, buying basics, and possibly re-buying a few things you thought you'd have sooner. Smart Leave decision logic can help you decide what to replace vs. ship.

How goCubify Helps Military Families Plan CONUS Moves

If you're doing a CONUS PPM or need a commercial estimate to compare against the government's TSP rate, goCubify's military moving feature lets you scan your home, get a binding quote from DOT-vetted carriers, and see exactly what you'd pay if you went commercial. Some families use this to decide whether a partial PPM (ship some items yourself, let the government ship the rest) makes financial sense.

For example, if your weight allowance is 10,000 pounds but you only have 7,000 pounds of household goods, you could PPM the 7,000 and pocket the incentive. Or, if the government's delivery window is 21 days but you need your stuff in 10, a commercial carrier might hit that window for less than you'd lose in hotel and meal costs. goCubify's cost calculator runs that math for you.

The app also flags items that cost more to ship than replace, using Smart Leave logic. If you're moving OCONUS and your HHG shipment is free, this matters less, but for CONUS PPM, it can save you hundreds in truck rental and fuel.

Final Checklist: CONUS vs OCONUS

CONUS PCS Checklist:

Attend TO briefing within 3 days of receiving orders.
Decide: TSP full move, partial PPM, or full PPM.
If PPM, reserve truck, get weight tickets, save all receipts.
Schedule pack-out at least 2 weeks before report date.
Update DEERS, TRICARE, and kids' school records.
File travel voucher within 5 days of arrival.

OCONUS PCS Checklist:

Attend TO briefing, get customs briefing.
Separate UB and HHG in your mind: UB is 6 weeks, HHG is 16 weeks.
Pack prohibited items out of both shipments.
Do high-value inventory for electronics, jewelry, and collectibles.
Get passports, no-fee official passports, and any required visas.
Arrange pet shipment separately (some countries require quarantine).
Set up NTS if needed, get TO approval in writing.
Budget for 8 to 12 weeks living out of suitcases and UB.

Both CONUS and OCONUS PCS moves are covered by the government, but the rules, timelines, and paperwork differ enough that mixing them up costs you time and money. Know your weight allowance, understand the shipment types, and keep every document. Your TO is your ally. Use them.