41 C.F.R. Subpart A—General Rules
Title 41 - Public Contracts and Property Management
Note to subpart A: Use of pronouns “I”, “you”, and their variants throughout this subpart refers to the employee, unless otherwise noted. The following are eligible for the transportation and temporary storage of household goods (HHG) at Government expense when a relocation has been determined to be in the interest of the Government: (a) An employee transferred between official duty stations, within or outside the continental United States (CONUS); (b) A new appointee to his/her first official duty station within or outside the CONUS; (c) An employee being returned to CONUS for separation from an outside CONUS assignment, after completion of an agreed upon period of services; (d) An SES employee authorized last move home benefits under §302–3.304 of this chapter; (e) An employee authorized a temporary change of station (TCS). The maximum weight allowance of HHG that may be shipped or stored at Government expense is 18,000 pounds net weight. Household goods may be transported and stored in multiple lots, however, your maximum HHG weight allowance is based upon shipping and storing all HHG as one lot. Yes, the weight on any PBP&E is generally part of and not in addition to the 18,000 pound HHG weight limitation. However, if the weight of any PBP&E causes the lot to exceed 18,000 pounds, the PBP&E may be transported to the new duty station as an administrative expense of the agency. Authorization for such shipment is granted solely at the discretion of the agency and subject to its policies governing such shipment. No, the 18,000 pound HHG weight limitation is mandated by statute and cannot be exceeded. Shipments of PBP&E as an administrative expense to the agency are not subject to the HHG maximum weight allowance. The authorized origin and destination points for the transportation of HHG and PBP&E varies by category of employee and are as follows: Yes, shipments may originate or terminate at any location; however, your reimbursement is limited to the cost of transporting the property in one lot from the authorized origin to the authorized destination. The initial period of temporary storage at Government expense shall not exceed 90 days in connection with any authorized HHG shipment. The HHG may be placed in temporary storage at origin, in transit, at destination, or any combination thereof. However, upon your written request, an additional 90 days may be authorized by the designated agency official. In no case may the maximum time limit for temporary storage exceed 180 days. Reasons for justifying temporary storage beyond the initial 90-day limit include, but are not limited to: (a) An intervening temporary duty or long-term training assignment; (b) Non-availability of suitable housing; (c) Completion of residence under construction; (d) Serious illness of employee or illness or death of a dependent; (e) Strikes, acts of God, or other circumstances beyond the control of the employee; or (f) Similar reasons. No, property acquired en route will not be eligible for transportation at Government expense. The Government's liability for loss or damage to HHG is determined by your agency under title 31 U.S.C. 3721–3723 and agency implementing rules and regulations issued pursuant to the law. HHG should be shipped by the most economical method available. The various methods of shipment and weight calculations include the following: There are two authorized methods of transporting and paying for the movement of HHG, PBP&E and temporary storage. Your agency will determine which of the following methods will be authorized. (a) Commuted rate system. Under the commuted rate system you assume total responsibility for arranging and paying for, at least the following services: packing/unpacking, crating/uncrating, pickup/deliver, weighing, line-haul, drayage, and temporary storage of your HHG and PBP&E with a commercial HHG carrier or by renting self drive equipment for a do-it-yourself move. When any PBP&E is transported as an administrative expense of your agency, all arrangements (e.g., packing/unpacking, pickup/delivery, weighing, temporary storage, etc.) will be handled and paid for by your agency. (b) Actual expense method. Under the actual expense method, your agency assumes the responsibility for arranging and paying for all aspects (e.g., packing/unpacking, pickup/delivery, weighing, line-haul, drayage, temporary storage, etc.), of transporting your HHG and PBP&E with a commercial HHG carrier. Yes. The disadvantages to using the commuted rate method for transporting HHG, PBP&E and temporary storage are that the: (a) Government cannot take advantage of any special rates that may be offered only to Government shipments; (b) Commuted rate method does not apply to intrastate moves; and (c) Commuted rate method may not fully reimburse your out-of-pocket expenses. No, you do not have to use the method selected (§302–7.301) by your agency, and you may pursue other methods, however, your reimbursement is limited to the actual cost incurred, not to exceed what the Government would have incurred under the commuted rate system within CONUS and the actual expense method OCONUS. When quarters are furnished or partly furnished by the Government OCONUS, your agency may limit the weight of HHG and temporary storage that can be transported to that location. Only the authorized weight allowance that was shipped to the OCONUS location may be returned to CONUS upon completion of the tour of duty, unless the agency makes an exception under conditions specified in agency internal regulations. Any PBP&E that was transported as an administrative expense of the Government to the OCONUS assignment will be returned as an administrative expense of the Government to the place of actual residence or any other location, not to exceed the cost to the authorized destination. When transporting HHG under the commuted rate or actual expense method and a commercial HHG carrier is used, the carrier accepts limited liability for any loss or damage in accordance with HHG carrier tariffs. For transporting HHG by self drive equipment for a do-it-yourself-move and for any loss or damage not covered by the HHG carrier, see part 302–11 of this chapter. Generally no; items that are irreplaceable or of extremely high monetary or sentimental value should not be included in your HHG shipment. Additional insurance may be purchased, at your expense, to cover any loss or damage, however, such items are not necessarily provided special security. Accordingly, it is advisable that you or an immediate family member(s) transport such items personally. If your HHG shipment includes an item (e.g. boat or trailer of reasonable size) for which a weight additive is assessed by the HHG carrier (as prescribed in applicable tariffs), and your shipment exceeds the maximum weight prescribed in §302–7.2, you are responsible for all excess charges and any special packing, crating, and handling of the weight additive item. See §302–7.200 on how charges are paid and who makes the shipping arrangements. [FTR Amdt. 108, 67 FR 57969, Sept. 13, 2002]
Title 41: Public Contracts and Property Management
PART 302–7—TRANSPORTATION AND TEMPORARY STORAGE OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PROFESSIONAL BOOKS, PAPERS, AND EQUIPMENT (PBP&E)
Subpart A—General Rules
§ 302-7.1 Who is eligible for the transportation and temporary storage of household goods (HHG) at Government expense?
§ 302-7.2 What is the maximum weight of HHG that may be transported or stored at Government expense?
§ 302-7.3 May HHG be transported or stored in more than one lot?
§ 302-7.4 Does the weight of any professional books, papers and equipment (PBP&E) count against the 18,000 pound HHG weight limitation?
§ 302-7.5 May the 18,000 pound HHG weight limitation be increased if PBP&E are transported as an administrative expense to the agency?
§ 302-7.6 What are the authorized origin and destination points for the transportation of HHG and PBP&E?
Transportation of HHG and PBP&E------------------------------------------------------------------------ Authorized origin/ Category of employee destination------------------------------------------------------------------------(a) Employee transferred between official Between the old and new stations. official station.(b) New appointee......................... From place of actual residence to New official station.(c) Employee returning from outside CONUS Last official station to assignment for separation from Government place of actual residence. service.(d) SES last move home benefits........... From last official station to place of Selection.Temporary change of official station (TCS) From current official station to TCS location and return.------------------------------------------------------------------------
§ 302-7.7 May the origin and destination points be other than that prescribed in §302–7.6?
§ 302-7.8 Is there a time limit for the temporary storage of an authorized HHG shipment?
§ 302-7.9 What are some reasons that would justify the additional storage beyond the initial 90-day limit?
§ 302-7.10 Is property acquired en route eligible for transportation at Government expense?
§ 302-7.11 What is the Government's liability for loss or damage to HHG?
§ 302-7.12 What are the various methods of shipping HHG and how is the weight determined for each type of shipment?
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Method of shipment How weight of shipment is determined------------------------------------------------------------------------(a) Uncrated (shipped in HHG The net weight will be shown on the movers van or similar conveyance). bill of lading or weight certificate attached and includes the weight of barrels, boxes, cartons, and similar material used in packing, but does not include pads, chains, dollies and other equipment to load and secure the shipment.(b) Crated shipments.............. When crated the net weight will not include the weight of the crating material. The net weight will be computed as being 60 percent of the gross weight. However, if the net weight computed in this manner exceeds the applicable weight limitation and if it is determined that, for reasons beyond the employee's control, unusually heavy crating and packing materials were necessarily used, the net weight may be computed at less than 60 percent of the gross weight.(c) Containerized shipments When the known tare weight does not (Special containers designed, include the weight of interior e.g., lift vans, CONEX bracing and padding materials but transporters, HHG shipping boxes, only the weight of the container, for repeated use). the net weight will be 85 percent of the gross weight less the weight of the container. If the known tare weight includes such material, so that the net weight is the same as it would be for uncrated shipments in interstate commerce, the net weight will not be subject to reduction.(d) Constructive weight........... If adequate scales are not available at origin, en route or at destination, a constructive weight based on 7 pounds per cubic foot of properly loaded van space may be used. Such weight may be used for a part-load when its weight could not be obtained, without first unloading it or other part-loads being carried in the same vehicle or when the HHG are not weighed because the carrier's charges for local or metropolitan area moves are properly computed on the basis other than weight or volume of the shipment (as when payment is based on an hourly rate and distance involved). In such instances a statement from the carrier showing the properly loaded van space required for the shipment should be obtained with respect to proof of entitlement to a commuted rate payment when net weight cannot be shown.------------------------------------------------------------------------
§ 302-7.13 What methods of transporting and paying for the movement of HHG, PBP&E and temporary storage are authorized?
§ 302-7.14 Are there any disadvantages to using the commuted rate method for transporting HHG, PBP&E and temporary storage?
§ 302-7.15 Must I use the method selected by my agency for transporting my HHG, PBP&E and temporary storage?
§ 302-7.16 Is the maximum weight allowance for HHG and temporary storage limited when quarters are furnished or partly furnished by the Government OCONUS or upon return to CONUS?
§ 302-7.17 May PBP&E be transported at Government expense upon returning to CONUS for separation from Government service, after completion of an OCONUS assignment?
§ 302-7.18 Who is liable for any loss or damage to HHG incident to an authorized relocation?
§ 302-7.19 Should I include items that are irreplaceable or of extremely high monetary or sentimental value in my HHG shipment?
§ 302-7.20 If my HHG shipment includes an item (e.g. boat, trailer, ultralight vehicle) for which a weight additive is assessed by the HHG carrier, am I responsible for payment?
