Vehicle Shipment (POV)

An overseas assignment comes with a vehicle benefit worth thousands of dollars, wrapped in rules strict enough to strand the unprepared without a car for months. The fix is knowing how it works before your orders drop, not after.

OCONUS ships the car. CONUS pays you to drive.

Not every PCS move includes free vehicle shipping. The line that decides it runs between CONUS and OCONUS.

CONUS is the 48 contiguous states, the lower 48. Move within it (say, Lackland AFB in Texas to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington) and the government does not ship your vehicle. You instead receive Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT), a per-mile reimbursement for driving yourself. For CY2026 the PCS MALT rate is $0.205 per mile (1).

OCONUS is everything else: Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands), and all foreign countries where U.S. military personnel serve. These are the assignments that typically authorize government-paid POV shipment. You qualify only when you meet all of the following:

• You're active-duty Air Force, Space Force, or another U.S. armed forces branch
• Your PCS orders explicitly authorize POV shipment
• You're moving to, from, or between OCONUS locations
• Your vehicle is self-propelled, wheeled, and used for personal transportation
• You own the vehicle outright or hold a long-term lease (12+ months) with lender authorization

Reserve and Guard: your orders decide

Air Force Reserve eligibility hinges on a 20-week (140-day) threshold. Reserve Component members called or ordered to active duty for 20 weeks or more at one location receive PCS allowances, which is the gateway to POV shipment. Below 20 weeks you're in Temporary Duty (TDY) status only, with no POV shipment authorized (2).

Active Guard Reserve (AGR) members on Title 10 orders receive the same PCS entitlements as active duty, including full POV shipment. AGR members under Title 32 (32 U.S.C. § 502(f)) also receive PCS entitlements on PCS orders, since they carry full-time active duty status with federal pay (3).

Members on Active Duty for Operational Support (ADOS) orders generally do not qualify for OCONUS POV shipment. ADOS orders under 181 days are TDY status; even 181 to 365 day orders typically don't authorize shipment. Full entitlement generally requires 730 days (2 years) or more (4).

Air National Guard members on Title 10 active duty with AGR status qualify for government-funded PCS including POV shipment. Traditional Guard members on Title 32 drill and 15-day annual training do not: drill status never generates PCS orders, so it can never produce OCONUS POV entitlements. Verify your specific entitlements with your Transportation Office before assuming coverage.

Where POV shipment is banned outright

Some overseas locations prohibit POV importation entirely because of host country restrictions, unaccompanied tour policies, or operational considerations. These typically include many Middle East locations (Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iraq), certain unaccompanied tours, and places with strict vehicle import bans.

When shipment isn't authorized, you're usually entitled to POV storage at government expense instead. The controlling reference is the Personal Property Consignment Instruction Guide (PPCIG) at PCSmyPOV.com, which lists country-specific restrictions and updates them regularly (5).

The five phases, and the calendar behind them

Shipping a vehicle overseas runs through five phases. Start early, especially during peak PCS season from May through August, when Vehicle Processing Center (VPC) appointments fill fast.

Phase 1: Confirm the entitlement (60 to 90 days out)

Contact your base Transportation Office (TO) or Personal Property Shipping Office (PPSO) as soon as orders arrive. They confirm whether shipment is authorized on your specific orders, flag any host country restrictions at your destination, and lay out your timeline.

For Air Force personnel, POVs must reach the shipping port within 90 days after departure for tours over one year, or within 30 days for tours of one year or less. Missing either window requires overseas commander approval (2). Your Transportation Office also completes DD Form 3163 (POV Shipping Counseling Form), documenting the session and confirming you understand the process (6).

Phase 2: Book the VPC appointment (45 to 60 days out)

PCSmyPOV.com is your primary interface for the entire shipment. This official DoD portal is operated by International Auto Logistics (IAL) under the Global POV Contract (GPC V). The site requires JavaScript, so use a personal device rather than a government computer (5). Use the FASTPASS feature to upload documents at least 24 hours before your appointment, which can sharply cut your processing time at the VPC.

Pick the VPC nearest your current location or along your travel route. IAL operates 38 VPCs worldwide, including 14 in CONUS. The major CONUS sites:

Additional CONUS VPCs sit in Santee/San Diego, Anchorage, Fairbanks, North Charleston, Odenton/Baltimore, Orlando, Grand Prairie/Dallas, Algona/Seattle, Aurora/Denver, Bridgeton/St. Louis, and Pontoon Beach. All run Monday through Friday, 0800 to 1600, last appointment 1500, closed weekends and federal holidays.

Phase 3: Prep the vehicle (this is where people fail)

Preparation is where most rejections happen. VPCs enforce USDA agricultural inspection with zero tolerance for dirt, debris, or biological material. This isn't bureaucratic fussiness. It's a federal requirement under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. §§ 7701-7772), and it's the single biggest reason people get turned away (7).

Cleaning (finish at least two days before your appointment):

• Exterior completely free of dirt, mud, bugs, and debris
• Interior thoroughly vacuumed: all compartments, under and between seats, trunk crevices, spare tire well
• Engine compartment, wheel wells, undercarriage, and radiator cleaned and free of leaves and caked dirt
• All door jambs including the trunk seal area cleaned
• No leaves, seeds, grass, or organic material anywhere on the vehicle
• Vehicle must be dry at turn-in. If you shampoo the interior, allow at least 14 days to dry fully

Mechanical:

• Operable and in safe condition, functional brakes including parking brake
• No fluid leaks (federal regulation under 49 CFR)
• No unresolved safety recalls. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls first; vehicles with open recalls, particularly electrical or fire-related, cannot be accepted (8)
• Antifreeze protected to at least minus 20°F

Fuel and battery:

• Fuel at one-quarter tank or less. This is the number one rejection reason.
• Battery voltage between 11.5 and 13.2 volts

Electric vehicles run the opposite playbook. Turn in an EV or plug-in hybrid with as full a charge as possible, include the charging cables and owner's manual, and disable any remote monitoring apps (such as the Tesla app) during shipping to prevent battery drain from remote queries. All 38 VPCs gained EV and hybrid charging capability when the current GPC V contract took effect on October 1, 2024 (9).

Phase 4: Turn in at the VPC

Arrive at least 15 minutes early. Bring:

• Complete PCS orders (all amendments)
• Military ID (CAC) and a government or state-issued photo ID
• Proof of ownership (original title or current vehicle registration)
• All vehicle keys (ignition, door, trunk, gas cap, wheel lock)
• Lienholder authorization letter if the vehicle is financed
• Power of Attorney if someone other than you or your spouse is dropping off

A VPC inspector runs a joint inspection with you, documenting all existing damage and condition on DD Form 788 (Private Vehicle Shipping Document). Work through it carefully: this form is your baseline for any damage claim at pickup, so note every scratch, dent, and blemish (6). Keep your copy of the DD Form 788, and take your own dated photos and video of all four sides, close-ups of existing damage, the interior, trunk, and odometer before handing over the keys.

Allowed inside the vehicle: jacks, tire irons, tire chains, spare and snow tires, jumper cables, luggage racks, first aid kits, portable cribs, car seats, and strollers (5). Prohibited: televisions (except factory-installed), personal belongings, air fresheners, CB radios, loose navigation or audio/video gear, AirTags or tracking devices, flammable substances, and pressurized cans. Violations can get your vehicle held at the destination port at your expense.

Phase 5: Track it, then inspect at pickup

Turn-in earns you a Shipping Instruction Number to track the vehicle at PCSmyPOV.com. Transit times vary by destination:

Total time from drop-off to availability typically runs 30 to 60 days. When notified the vehicle is ready, schedule pickup through PCSmyPOV, then inspect against your original DD Form 788 and annotate all new damage on the pickup form immediately, before driving off the lot. VPCs can settle minor damage on site (typically $1,000 to $2,500). For larger claims, contact IAL at 855-389-9499 or claims@ialpov.us within two years of delivery. Damage found after you leave is presumed not shipment-related, so report it the same day (5).

One vehicle, one family

The government pays to ship exactly one POV per service member per PCS move to, from, or between OCONUS locations, established in Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) Section 0547 (2). That entitlement covers one vehicle for your entire family unit. It can be owned or long-term leased by you or a dependent, but you cannot ship multiple vehicles even if different family members own them. The limit itself never changes by component; what changes is eligibility, which for Reserve and Guard depends entirely on order type, as covered above.

Size caps at 20 MTON

Coverage runs up to 20 measurement tons (MTON). The math: multiply length by width by height in inches, divide by 1,728 for cubic feet, then divide by 40. A compact car runs around 9 MTON, a full-size sedan about 15. Oversized trucks, SUVs, or RVs may exceed 20 MTON and leave you paying excess costs (5). One new wrinkle under GPC V: recreational vehicle transport and storage is now available at individual Service branch discretion, so if you own an RV, ask your Transportation Office whether it qualifies under your branch's implementation (9).

The dual-military exception

When two service members are married to each other and both receive PCS orders, each keeps their own POV entitlement. You can ship two vehicles (one per member) or combine your 20 MTON allowances to ship one larger vehicle at government expense. This is the only routine exception to the one-vehicle rule. For how dual-military couples manage PCS logistics, see Module 19.

The other cars in your driveway

If you own more than one vehicle when overseas orders arrive, decide early. Time is what turns a panic sale into a good outcome.

Government-paid storage

When shipment to your destination is prohibited (not merely when you have a spare), you may be authorized POV storage at government expense through the Global POV Contract. Schedule it at PCSmyPOV.com, the same site as shipping. The vehicle must meet the same cleanliness and mechanical standards. Storage costs nothing out of pocket during your tour, but it's in lieu of shipment: you cannot store one and ship another, and once removed it can't be returned at government expense. Vehicles left beyond 90 days after tour termination may face abandonment procedures (5). Your Transportation Office completes DD Form 3164 (POV Storage Counseling Form) and issues DD Form 3165 (POV Storage Authorization Letter) (6).

Private storage

If you don't qualify for government storage but want to keep the vehicle, private storage typically runs $45 to $450 per month depending on location, vehicle size, and indoor versus outdoor. Climate-controlled adds roughly $50 per month; some installations offer MWR or on-base options at reduced rates. Choose a facility with military experience, confirm insurance coverage, arrange for someone to start the vehicle periodically, and consider a battery maintainer.

Sell before you go

On-base "lemon lots" offer secure, military-focused selling, with buyers who are other personnel holding base access. Permits typically cost $20 to $30 per 14-day listing period. Other channels: dealership trade-ins (fast, lower prices), private sales (better price, more effort), and online military marketplaces.

Ship it yourself

You can ship additional vehicles overseas at your own cost. Expect to research host country import duties and restrictions, contact private military-friendly shippers, obtain lienholder permission if financed, and arrange customs documentation. Estimated total cost runs $1,400 to $4,500 depending on destination, size, and service type. Note that some countries restrict registering more than one Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) vehicle, and yours must meet destination emissions and safety standards. One catch for EV owners: some private overseas shippers currently cannot accommodate electric vehicles because of ocean carrier restrictions tied to lithium battery fire risk. Limited hybrid options may exist, but verify before committing (10).

Hand it to family with a power of attorney

A Special Power of Attorney (POA) lets a trusted family member or friend manage your vehicle while you're overseas, often the most practical route for a second car. Get a military POA free through your base Legal Assistance (JAG) office; military POAs prepared under 10 U.S.C. § 1044b are federally recognized. Use a specific/limited POA (not general) that names the exact vehicle with VIN, grant only the authority needed (selling, registering, insurance), notarize it, share copies with relevant institutions in advance, and have your agent drive the vehicle periodically.

Loans and leases

Leases: the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA, 50 U.S.C. § 3955) allows termination without penalty when the lease was signed before service and you receive PCS orders to any location, or signed during service and you receive PCS orders from CONUS to OCONUS, or you receive deployment orders of 180 or more days (11). Provide written notice with a copy of your orders and return the vehicle within 15 days of that notice. Notice must go by hand, private carrier, or USPS with return receipt requested; email does not satisfy the requirement. SCRA does not protect CONUS-to-CONUS moves for leases signed during service.

Loans: lenders are not required to let financed vehicles leave the country. Confirm authorization before signing any auto loan if an overseas PCS is possible. Military-friendly lenders like USAA and Navy Federal typically accommodate OCONUS needs, but verify with yours.

Or buy overseas

Military AutoSource (MAS) is the only DoD and Exchange-authorized overseas car buying program, running for over 60 years with 80-plus worldwide locations. MAS offers below-MSRP pricing on brands including Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, and can deliver overseas or stateside on your PCS home. It's often more practical than shipping a second car, especially where host country restrictions make importing complicated or expensive.

Electric and alternative-fuel vehicles

The POV system has been adapting to a growing number of EV owners. A June 2024 JTR change (CAP 22-24(E)) added real flexibility for alternative-fuel vehicles (12).

For CONUS PCS moves (where you'd normally drive and collect MALT rather than ship), a commanding officer can now authorize POV shipment for an alternative-fuel vehicle if driving to the new duty station would be impractical given the vehicle's range and the charging infrastructure along the route. The standard 600-mile minimum distance for CONUS POV shipment can also be waived for EV range limitations, and commanders can approve circuitous routes and extended travel days to reach charging stations.

The practical effect: own an EV with a 300-mile range, get orders 1,200 miles away through thin charging territory, and the government now has the flexibility to ship the vehicle rather than force an impractical road trip. The CY2026 MALT rate of $0.205 per mile applies equally to electric, hybrid, gasoline, and diesel vehicles (1).