Posted on Feb 5, 2019
Will the Army still pay to ship my car months after I PCS?
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So I'm headed to Germany in a few weeks and I have read that the Army will pay to ship one vehicle overseas along with the rest of your belongings. Fortunately I do not have any belongings that I cannot take over with me on the plane. But the 1 of my 2 cars I would like to have sent over needs some repairs before this would be possible and I'd like to get my USAREU license before I bring it over anyway. So my question is if the Army will still pay to ship it even if its say, a few months after I PCS. Thanks in advance everyone.
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 6
You can but honestly the hassle that you are going to go through to get the vehicle inspection ready to pass American customs and German customs is not going to be worth it. To ship it almost has to be factory new as in no leaks, everything in working order, no dirt, all testing and standards up to date.
The best thing for you to do is to store your vehicles with a close friend or relative that you trust and when you get in country, then look for a second hand vehicle there. There are tons out there. Twice while I was there we went to K-town and found one that was cheap and serviceable and used that. MUCH easier on the pocketbook and the nerves. When you are done with it, simply sell it and PCS. A LOT less hassle.
The best thing for you to do is to store your vehicles with a close friend or relative that you trust and when you get in country, then look for a second hand vehicle there. There are tons out there. Twice while I was there we went to K-town and found one that was cheap and serviceable and used that. MUCH easier on the pocketbook and the nerves. When you are done with it, simply sell it and PCS. A LOT less hassle.
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You need to consult with JPPSO. Do your orders state the movememt of a vehicle and HHG? If you have not used the authorization, you should be able to do that. I think you were also getting orders amended for your spouse to join you.
The vehicle needing repairs has to be immaculate to ship it. No leaks. Pass agricultural inspection (no dirt). Options. Get your Squad Leader and go look at the lemon lot. Buy a German beater and avoid shipment. You can usually buy one fairly inexpensively and sell it before you PCS. Remember, getting a US spec car fixed in Germany is painful unless you are able to,do the work. Parts wil have to be shipped in, sometimes the PX auto store can help. Sometimes O'Rielly's or NAPA online. The car will get an inspection by the TUV and they will gig your vehicle. Leaks. Tire tread, exhaust. Brakes, belts. The Germans are anal about cars and maintenance.
You will likely need a Limited Power of Attorney for someone else to ship the vehicle for you at the VPC if you have already went forward. You'll need copies of orders to give them along with the VPC paperwork. If you owe on the car, sometimes your bank will have to provide a letter that they know the car is going overseas. JPPSO can help with the documentation list.
https://move.mil/entitlements
The vehicle needing repairs has to be immaculate to ship it. No leaks. Pass agricultural inspection (no dirt). Options. Get your Squad Leader and go look at the lemon lot. Buy a German beater and avoid shipment. You can usually buy one fairly inexpensively and sell it before you PCS. Remember, getting a US spec car fixed in Germany is painful unless you are able to,do the work. Parts wil have to be shipped in, sometimes the PX auto store can help. Sometimes O'Rielly's or NAPA online. The car will get an inspection by the TUV and they will gig your vehicle. Leaks. Tire tread, exhaust. Brakes, belts. The Germans are anal about cars and maintenance.
You will likely need a Limited Power of Attorney for someone else to ship the vehicle for you at the VPC if you have already went forward. You'll need copies of orders to give them along with the VPC paperwork. If you owe on the car, sometimes your bank will have to provide a letter that they know the car is going overseas. JPPSO can help with the documentation list.
https://move.mil/entitlements
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1SG (Join to see)
LTC Jason Mackay information is accurate. The link below provides very detailed instructions.
Note that you are asking someone to take on a significant task that requires great attention-to-detail, so take that into consideration. I'd add a backup plan for the recovery of your vehicle if it something goes wrong with the shipping. Also, figure out the cost for the person taking it to one of the shipping locations to be able to return to where they begun the trip.
https://www.military.com/money/pcs-dity-move/shipping-a-car-overseas.html
Note that you are asking someone to take on a significant task that requires great attention-to-detail, so take that into consideration. I'd add a backup plan for the recovery of your vehicle if it something goes wrong with the shipping. Also, figure out the cost for the person taking it to one of the shipping locations to be able to return to where they begun the trip.
https://www.military.com/money/pcs-dity-move/shipping-a-car-overseas.html
Learn what steps to take when shipping your car overseas when you receive your PCS orders.
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LTC Jason Mackay
1SG (Join to see) - its why I told him to consult with JPPSO. I don't think he received a levy brief. I got walked through this step by step at JPPSO and the levy brief.
PVT (Join to see) have you received a levy brief on preparation for overseas movement? Where is your NCO in all this?
PVT (Join to see) have you received a levy brief on preparation for overseas movement? Where is your NCO in all this?
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1SG (Join to see)
LTC Jason Mackay
I like your true commander question: Where is your NCO in this?
I understand this post isn't from an NCO, but some of the posts I see lead me to believe an information gap that exists in too many NCOs. This, despite the regulations and other information literally being available with an item most Soldiers have in their pocket--smart phone. I recall the time when they were paper only, and you had to build your own library.
I see sharp NCOs posting answers, but I see too many NCOs, particularly SSGs posting questions about issues they should have learned as a SPC, and definitely as a SGT.
I like your true commander question: Where is your NCO in this?
I understand this post isn't from an NCO, but some of the posts I see lead me to believe an information gap that exists in too many NCOs. This, despite the regulations and other information literally being available with an item most Soldiers have in their pocket--smart phone. I recall the time when they were paper only, and you had to build your own library.
I see sharp NCOs posting answers, but I see too many NCOs, particularly SSGs posting questions about issues they should have learned as a SPC, and definitely as a SGT.
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LTC Jason Mackay
1SG (Join to see) - I just see a young soldier struggling with issues. I feel like we give him pieces to the puzzle, but he doesn't have the lid to the puzzle box so he knows what it is supposed to look like and people have hidden a couple edge pieces on him.
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Please listen to all the comments regarding leaving it stateside and buying something there. They are all right.
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