ALCOAST 141/26 - MAY 2026 AY2026 HOUSEHOLD GOODS (HHG) AND MANDATORY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY (CSS) INFORMATION

R 221724Z MAY 26   MID120041263710U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 141/26
SSIC 4050
SUBJ: AY2026 HOUSEHOLD GOODS (HHG) AND MANDATORY CUSTOMER
SATISFACTION SURVEY (CSS) INFORMATION
A. The Joint Travel Regulations (JTR)
B. Defense Transportation Regulation Part IV (DTR), DTR 4500.9-R
C. Coast Guard Supplement to the Joint Travel Regulations (CGS-JTR),
COMDTINST 4600.17B
D. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 211750Z JAN 26/ALCOAST 022/26
1. Per REFs (A) through (C), the 2026 household goods (HHG)
transportation season is under way. Commands should provide this
ALCOAST and HHG counseling to all transferring or separating
members. Peak season is 15 May-31 August, with 15 June-31 July being
the busiest. Book shipments as early as possible to ensure a smooth
move; avoid peak dates if possible. Additionally, per REF (D),
the PCS season is 1 April 2026 - 1 October 2026, providing more
flexibility to members and commands. Do not cancel or enter into
housing agreements until your shipment dates are confirmed by your
local Transportation Office (TO) and the Transportation Service
Provider (TSP).
2. HHG counseling may be conducted in-person by a TO, or members may
self-counsel through the Defense Personal Property System (DPS).
The link for DPS is available for all members at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.militaryonesource.mil/moving-pcs/moving-personal-
property/

Members must register with a valid civilian email. Registration may
take up to 72 hours, so members should plan accordingly. Once the
member's HHG shipment has been requested in DPS, a copy of the
signed PCS orders in the ready status must be provided to the TO in
order to complete the shipment request. Guidance on Personally
Procured Moves (PPMs) will be published in a separate ALCOAST.
3. If operational commitments prevent a member from scheduling their
HHG shipment or PPM, they should seek guidance from their local TO
legal assistance office to assign a trusted agent or grant a special
power of attorney to schedule the HHG shipment on their behalf.
4. Members must understand their weight limits and the consequences
of exceeding their maximum allowable weight. Exceeding the weight
limits will create excess costs for both shipping and storage that
must be paid by the members. Maximum HHG weight allowances (pounds)
are found in Par. 051401 of REF (A) at:
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https://media.defense.gov/2022/Jan/04/2002917147/-1/-1/0/JTR.PDF

5. To estimate the weight of your HHG before packing, use 1,500
pounds per room (excluding storage rooms and bathrooms), plus the
weight of large appliances and items in storage areas. These
estimates are unofficial and cannot be used to dispute excess weight
charges. If you disagree with the HHG weight, you must contact your
TSP, or destination TO. Re-weighs are not possible after
delivery.
6. A member married to another service member must ensure their
origin HHG counselor is aware of their marital status, as they may
request to combine their HHG weight allowances for one shipment.
Weight allowances may not be combined after delivery in an attempt
to offset HHG weight overages. Waivers are not authorized.
7. Professional books, papers, and equipment (pro-gear) are limited
to 2,000 pounds for the member and 500 pounds for a spouse. The
member must certify pro-gear is needed for official duty at the next
permanent duty station (PDS). Spousal pro-gear shipment at
government expense requires approval through the Secretarial
Process. Guidance is in 051304 and Appendix A of REF (A).
Pro-gear cannot be claimed after delivery to offset HHG overages.
Waivers are not authorized.
8. A service member may ship empty gun safes with HHG to their next
PDS, including their home of record (HOR) or home of selection (HOS)
when leaving the Service. Gun safes must be declared at shipment
origin and documented per Agency or Service procedures. The maximum
gun safe weight allowed is 500 pounds. Guidance and limitations on
gun safes can be found in Par. 051304 (C) of REF (A).
9. After delivery of each completed HHG shipment, a Customer
Satisfaction Survey (CSS) is required to be completed within 7 days.
The CSS is used by the Government to capture the electronic feedback
on satisfaction or non-satisfaction ratings of its continued use of
the TSP.
10. Full Replacement Value (FRV) protection is provided at no
additional cost to the member.
       a. For shipments scheduled for pickup on or after 15 May 2026,
the TSP's maximum liability will be the greater of: No less than
$10,000.00 per shipment or $6.00 times either the net weight of the
HHG shipment or the gross weight of the unaccompanied baggage (UB)
shipment, in pounds, not to exceed $75,000.00. The Defense Personal
Property Management Office (DPMO) will review maximum liability for
inflation on an annual basis using the consumer price index (CPI)
and make adjustments at $5,000.00 increments.
       b. Members should consider purchasing insurance through a third
party for higher value shipments.
       c. Members are responsible for submission of damage claims and
should understand that claim submission is a multi-step process. If
the claim is filed directly with the TSP more than 12 months after
delivery, then the TSP is liable for depreciated value, up to a
maximum of $1.25 times the net weight of the shipment in pounds. To
ensure proper and timely notification to the TSP and compliance with
service requirements, specific guidance can be found at:
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https://www.uscg.mil/Resources/Legal/LSC/Household-Goods-Claims/

11. Members authorized to ship a privately owned vehicle (POV) to,
from, or between OCONUS locations must ensure all vehicle safety
recall notices are resolved prior to arranging shipment and review
the guidance found in Par. 053001 of REF (A) to determine
requirements, reimbursement, excess costs, and restrictions that may
apply to their respective vehicle, and Vehicle-Processing Center
(VPC) use. Specific information on POV safety recalls relevant to
POV shipment is available at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.pcsmypov.com

12. Authorization for shipment of a POV at government expense when a
member is physically unable to drive, or there is insufficient time
to drive and report as ordered, in accordance with Par. 052901 of
REF (A) and 052901 of REF (C), may only be granted by
COMDT (CG-WMM-4).
13. Members with dependents who elect to ship a second POV at their
own expense in CONUS should review the guidance found in Par. 052902
of REF (A) to determine eligibility, reimbursement, excess costs,
and restrictions that may apply to their respective situation.
Members shipping in CONUS are not entitled to reimbursement for
expenses for delivery to or pick-up from the carrier. The member's
orders must reflect authorization of entitlement to ship a POV and
maximum reimbursement. Proof of POV ownership by members or lawful
dependent must be provided.
14. Service members may be authorized a HHG move and Dislocation
Allowance (DLA) for short-distance PCS moves by requesting an
exception to policy through the Secretarial Process. To do so,
review the guidance in 051901 of REF (A), and submit your request
for approval through your administrative chain of command.
15. The COMDT (CG-WMM-4) Travel & Transportation Team can be reached
by email at: smb-comdt-traveltransportationpolicy@uscg.mil.
16. CAPT Christopher J. Hulser, Acting Assistant Commandant
for Workforce Management (CG-WM), sends.
17. Internet release is authorized.