WEIGHT ALLOWANCES
1. The JTR prescribes the maximum Permanent Change of Station (PCS) and Non-Temporary Storage (NTS) weight allowances that you can ship and/or store at Government expense based on the member’s rank and dependency status. The JTR also prescribes Temporary Duty (TDY) weight allowance based on the member’s rank. Weight allowances do not include Professional Books, Papers and Equipment (PBP&E/PRO-Gear) or required medical equipment.
NOTE: The Secretary concerned may authorize a higher weight allowance (not to exceed [NTE] 18,000 pounds) of a member below pay grade O-6, but only on a case-by-case basis. The Secretary may increase the member's PCS weight allowance if the Secretary determines that failure to increase the member's weight allowance would create a significant hardship to the member or the member's dependents
NOTE 1: Includes a Uniformed Service regular and Reserve Component member, and an officer holding a temporary commission in the U.S. Army/Air Force.
NOTE 2: For this table, a member “with dependents” is a member who has a dependent eligible to travel at Government expense incident to the member’s PCS. Actual dependent travel has no bearing. Incident to a member’s first PCS after:
1. The death(s) of all of the member's dependent(s), or
2. A divorce that leaves the member with no dependent(s) eligible to travel at Government expense, the member has the weight allowance of a member “with dependents”.
NOTE 3: A member appointed from an:
1. Enlisted/warrant officer grade to a commissioned officer grade, or
2. Enlisted grade to a warrant officer grade or rating is authorized the grade’s weight allowance:
a. Held on the member's PCS authorization/order effective date used for HHG transportation, or
b. From which an appointment was accepted, whichever is greater.
3. Upon reversion, the member is authorized the weight allowance of the grade held:
a. On the member's PCS authorization/order effective date then being used for HHG transportation, or
b. Before reversion, whichever is greater.
NOTE 4: A member selected as Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Sergeant Major of the Army, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, or Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard is authorized a weight allowance of:
1. 17,000 pounds with dependents or,
2. 14,000 pounds without dependents.
for a PCS authorization/order issued on or after receiving notice of selection to that position and for the remainder of the military career.
NOTE 1: Includes a Regular member, a member of a Uniformed Service Reserve Component, and an officer holding a temporary commission in the Army/Air Force of the United States.
NOTE 2: The Secretarial process may authorize additional weight up to 2,000 pounds (up to 4,000 pounds total) for the Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the Commandant of the Coast Guard.
NOTE 3: A member selected as Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Sergeant Major of the Army, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, or Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, who requires a TDY weight allowance of HHG, is authorized a weight allowance of 800 pounds for a TDY authorization/order issued on or after receiving notice of selection to that position and for the remainder of the military career.
2. You, not your TO or TSP, are responsible for staying within your authorized weight allowance. If the weight of items packed, shipped, or stored exceeds your weight allowance, you are financially responsible for the payment of all charges connected with excess weight in accordance with (IAW) your Service guidance/regulations.
3. For this reason, estimating the weight of your HHG is very important. Estimates should start early, even before you visit your TO or before you prepare your application to ship and or store personal property in DPS. The counselor at your TO requires an estimated weight for each shipment you intend to make.
4. An easy and usually dependable method for making this estimate is to figure 1,000 pounds per room (not including storage rooms or bathrooms), then add the estimated weight of large appliances and items in the garage, storage rooms, basement, etc. An optional method is to use the “Weight Estimator”
5. Weight Estimates Not Official:
a. Weight estimates are not official; they are planning tools only. You can never use weight estimates to refute excess weight charges.
6. Excess Weight Can Cost Big Money:
a. Exceeding your authorized weight allowance on a move can cost you a lot of money. Charges for excess weight can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
b. Notification of overweight charges can take many months after your move is completed. For a member who is separating from the Service and no longer remains in an active pay status, excess costs should be paid prior to the movement of HHG. Excess costs are collected IAW Service regulations. Contact your local TO for additional information regarding excess costs.
7. Verify Accuracy of Excess Cost:
a. 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. Often you may not have received credit for PBP&E/PRO-Gear. The estimated weight of PBP&E/PRO-Gear must be declared in MilMove or DPS.
b. If you have any questions concerning your excess weight, contact your local TO.
8. Request for Reweigh:
a. The TO at origin or destination can authorize a reweigh of your personal property shipment at your request at no cost to you. This ensures a reweigh of your personal property is completed or scheduled prior to accepting delivery. If you are available when your shipment is reweighed, you have the right to witness the reweigh and/or request to see the reweigh tickets for verification.
9. Overseas Weight Limitations:
a. Some overseas areas impose administrative weight restrictions. If the area to which you are assigned provides Government furniture, for example, the Government may impose an administrative weight restriction, which would prevent you from shipping your full JTR weight allowance overseas. In these cases, a member is limited to HHG transportation of 2,500 pounds (net) or, 25 percent (net) of the member’s authorized weight allowance whichever is greater, plus UB transportation. If both spouses are members and are assigned to the same Outside Continental United States (OCONUS) area where they jointly occupy quarters, they are limited to one administrative weight allowance, based on the higher ranking member’s weight allowance; however, each is authorized individually to UB transportation, PBP&E/PRO-Gear, and required medical equipment. The counselor at your TO can provide information on weight-restricted areas.
b. If you are administratively weight restricted, you have the option of storing the remainder of your HHG in long-term storage called NTS, or you may ship your HHG to a designated location within the Continental United States (CONUS) for the duration of your overseas tour. UB is included in your JTR weight allowance and is considered a part of your administrative HHG weight allowance. Authorized PBP&E/PRO-Gear are not counted against the full JTR weight allowance or an administrative weight allowance. If declaring PBP&E/PRO-Gear, you must declare the items in MilMove or DPS.