Authorized Weight Allowances
Two factors govern the weight allowance for household goods that may be shipped at government expense: pay grade and dependents. This allowance includes the weight of household goods you ship, place in storage, or send as unaccompanied baggage.� YOU- not your transportation officer or the carrier - are responsible for staying within weight allowance. If household goods exceed the weight allowed by the Joint Federal Travel Regulations, members will be required to pay all charges associated with the excess weight.
For this reason, it's a good idea for members to estimate the weight of their household goods shipment. An easy and fairly dependable method for making this estimate is to figure 1,000 pounds per room ( not including bathrooms ), then add the estimated weight of large appliances and items in the garage, storage rooms, and the basement to that amount. The following table outlines the weight allowances authorized by pay grade.
| Table of Joint Federal Travel Regulations Weight Allowances ***In Pounds*** |
| GRADE | PCS WITHOUT DEPENDENTS | PCS WEIGHT DEPENDENTS | TEMPORARY ALLOWANCE |
| 0-10 | 18,000 | 18,000 | 2,000 |
| 0-9 | 18,000 | 18,000 | 1,500 |
| 0-8 | 18,000 | 18,000 | 1,000 |
| 0-7 | 18,000 | 18,000 | 1,000 |
| 0-6 | 18,000 | 18,000 | 800 |
| 0-5 | 16,000 | 17,500 | 800 |
| 0-4/W-4 | 14,000 | 17,000 | 800 |
| 0-3/W-3 | 13,000 | 14,500 | 600 |
| 0-2/W-2 | 12,500 | 13,500 | 600 |
| 0-1/W-1 | 10,000 | 12,000 | 600 |
| E-9 | 12,000 | 14,500 | 600 |
| E-8 | 11,000 | 13,500 | 500 |
| E-7 | 10,500 | 12,500 | 400 |
| E-6 | 8,000 | 11,000 | 400 |
| E-5 | 7,000 | 9,000 | 400 |
| ***E-4 | 7,000 | 8,000 | 400 |
| **E-4 | 3,500 | 7,000 | 225 |
| E-3 | 2,000 | 5,000 | 225 |
| E-2 | 1,500 | 5,000 | 225 |
| E-1 | 1,500 | 5,000 | 225 |
| ***Over 2 Years **Less Than 2 Years |
Weight Estimates Not Official
Weight estimates are not official; they are planning tools only. You can never use weight estimates to refute excess weight charges.
Excess Weight Can Cost Big Money
The total weight of property shipped and stored cannot exceed your authorized allowance. Exceeding your authorized weight allowance on a domestic or international move can cost you a lot of money. Charges for excess weight can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
Notification of overweight charges can take several months after your move has been completed. IF YOU ARE SEPARATING FROM SERVICE AND WILL NOT REMAIN IN AN ACTIVE PAY STATUS, EXCESS COSTS MUST BE PAID BEFORE YOUR SHIPMENT IS MOVED. If you have any questions, contact your transportation office.
Verify Accuracy of Excess Cost
The way to avoid excess weight charges is to stay within your authorized weight allowance by estimating early and disposing of unnecessary possessions. When you receive a notification for exceeding your weight allowance, check it carefully. Oftentimes you may not have received credit for professional books, papers, and equipment (PBP&E), or some other entitlement. If you have any questions concerning your excess weight, contact your transportation office.
Request for Reweigh
You are entitled to have your shipment reweighed prior to delivery at destination. A request for a reweigh can be made through the transportation office either at origin or at destination prior to delivery. You may also request to witness the reweigh of your shipment by contacting the PPSO.
Overseas Weight Limitations
In some overseas areas administrative weight restrictions may apply. If the area you are being assigned to provides government furniture, for example, the government will not pay to ship your full JFTR weight allowance. NOTE: A weight restriction will not apply to Naval Personnel unless it appears in the Member's Orders. The counselor at your transportation office can provide information on weight restricted areas.
If you are administratively restricted, the government will store the remainder of your household goods up to your full JFTR allowance, or ship it to a designated/specified location for the duration of your overseas tour. Unaccompanied baggage is included in your JFTR allowance, but is in addition to your administrative weight allowance. Authorized PBP&E are not counted in either the full JFTR weight allowance or an administrative weight allowance.
Consumable Items
Members assigned to some overseas stations may be authorized a consumable goods allowance. As with PBP&E, these items must be packed, marked, and weighed separately. The inventory should identify them as "authorized consumables." Your counselor will advise you on this entitlement.
Professional Books, Papers, and Equipment
You must give the counselor an estimated weight to enter on your application for shipment or storage. This constitutes an official declaration of intent to ship PBP&E. You must also separate professional items from the rest of your property so they may be packed, marked, and weighed separately. When properly listed on the inventory, they are not counted as part of your weight allowance. Before signing the inventory prepared by the movers be sure these items are listed as "PBP&E" and not as "books" or "miscellaneous." The proper designation of these items and the exclusion of the weight can be very important. PBP&E do not include office, household or shop fixtures, furniture (such as bookcases, desks, and file cabinets), or sports equipment.
When required to perform official duties, the following items are considered PBP&E:
- Reference books, papers, and material.
- Instruments, tools and equipment needed by technicians, mechanics, and other professionals.
- Specialized clothing such as diving suits, flying suits, band uniforms and other apparel not considered to be normal or usual uniform, or clothing.
- Communications equipment used in connection with the Military Affiliated Radio System.
- Individually owned or specially-issued field clothing or equipment, official awards, and other memorabilia given to a member by a uniformed service, professional society or organization, or a U.S. or foreign government.
