USDA - APHIS

Administrative Services Division (ASD) - Realty Services -Household & Office Moves - International Household Goods Moves

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Services Provided

Shipment and Storage of Household Goods
Transportation of Household Goods
Transportation of Automobile
Shipment of Consumables
Shipment of Unaccompanied Baggage
Filing a Claim Against a Carrier/Insurer/Warehouseman

Insurance

When moving from one post to another, your household and personal effects must be packed and shipped over long distances. Those items not needed at your next post are placed in long-term storage. Throughout this whole process, your personal belongings are subjected to multiple handlings, stresses and strains which could, despite stringent packing care, result in significant damage or loss.

You do NOT necessarily have full coverage on your household goods when they are in storage or when they are being shipped between posts. The packing company's or forwarder's liability and the Military Personnel and Civilian Employees' (MPCE) Claims Act of 1964 does not provide full coverage against loss and/or damage. It is most important, therefore, that you carry private insurance against damage or loss of your household goods not covered by the packing company or MPCE Claims Act.

Liability of the packing companies or international forwarder:

Upon arrival at foreign location:

between $ .30 and $ .60 per pound per article that is damaged or missing.

Upon arrival at a nonforeign location:

- the mover's liability for any given item is limited to the replacement cost of the item based on the current market price to replace the item. Liability is limited to satisfactory repairs, replacement c

Claims submitted to the packing company or international forwarder:

If loss or damage of household goods is discovered at the time of delivery, immediate action must be taken to file a claim with the van line to receive compensation.
If loss or damage of household goods is discovered after delivery, you must notify the van lines in writing within 75 days of delivery.
You must pursue recovery against a carrier, insurer, warehouseman, or other contractor before filing a claim under the MPCE Claims Act.

Claims submitted under the MPCE Claims Act of 1964:

(Link to Claims) (Employees Only)

* Note: Acquire private insurance for items of extraordinary value (antiques, jewelry, precious metals, oriental rugs, china sets, coins, rare collectible items or objects of art, rare documents, family memorabilias)

The Move Process

The Administrative Services Division (ASD) - Minneapolis, Household Goods Moves (HHGM) Coordinator will:

Contact you to discuss your move, determine your immediate and long term needs and your move date. The Administrative Services Division (ASD) - Minneapolis, HHGM Coordinator will select a suitable van line based on your needs and discuss and answer your questions at this point.
If your needs have been met, the Administrative Services Division (ASD) - Minneapolis, HHGM Coordinator will call the van line and arrange your move. A representative from the van line will contact you immediately to begin the move process and explain the procedure. The representative will send an estimator to your residence for a pre-pack survey of your household goods to be shipped.

The Estimator will:

Determine the type of packing materials needed including shipping boxes.
Set a schedule and determine the number of days required to pack your household goods. Remember when arranging "pack out" days, it is not necessary to pack everything in one day. You should set the schedule, not the packer. For example, you may want your household goods packed a month prior to departure, air freight items packed a couple of weeks before departure, and storage a few days before departure.

The Packing Crew will:

Pack the airfreight items first and once you reach your weight limit, commence with the household surface freight and then the items you will place in storage.
Number each carton as it is filled and list it on their inventory sheet. Once the packing is completed, you and the crew chief will sign the inventory list. This is a contractual agreement that you agree with the mover's list. CHECK VERY CAREFULLY. Retain a copy of the inventory list after you have signed it.

Unpacking Day

Steps to take on unpacking day:

Request the movers to unpack containers packed by them at origin, make placement of each piece of furniture, reassemble all furniture and equipment disassembled at origin, remove packing and blocking from appliances, record any loss or damage
Take pictures of the outside of the carton along with the contents to help support your claim for reimbursement.
Check off the number of each carton and items listed on the packer's inventory sheet. Note any missing or damaged items on the inventory sheet before signing.
File a written claim for any loss or damage promptly with the carrier