Shipping Household Goods (HHG)

Preparing for Your Move | Getting Settled | Making Osan Home

Understanding your Allowance: HHGs vs. UB

Your PCS orders specify your allowance and authorize you to ship your Household Goods (HHGs) and/or Unaccompanied Baggage (UB) at the government’s expense. There is a weight limit based on your rank and accompanied status.

You can check your weight allowances and estimate the weight of your HHG before you start to setup your move. Any overages on your approved weight will be your financial responsibility, so make sure to stay within your authorized weight allowance.

Korea-Specific Notes

  • Shipment of Alcoholic beverages (liquors/wines) are limited to 1 liter per adult person.
  • Shipping of any kind of weapon is prohibited.
  • Personnel assigned to Osan AB are NOT authorized shipment of any off-road vehicle.

If you are serving an Unaccompanied tour in Korea, you are LIMITED to a HHG shipment at 10% of you Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR) Weight Allowance OR an Unaccompanied Baggage shipment, NOT both. If you come to Korea weight restricted, you also leave Korea weight restricted. You will have the same entitlement of HHG shipment at 10% of your JFTR Weight Allowance OR an Unaccompanied Baggage shipment, NOT both.

Note: Living off base does not grant an entitlement for more weight to be shipped to Korea. Once you arrive and in-process, if Housing provides you a Non-Availability Letter, you must have your PCS orders amended to state your non-availability of quarters and that you are authorized an increased weight entitlement.

Arranging HHG Shipments

Once orders are received, begin to plan what items you will take in your UB or HHG shipment and what might need to go into permanent storage. If you live off base, Korean homes are a lot smaller than US homes and many places come semi-furnished. Consider putting large appliances into government storage.

Valuable Household Goods: Before packing day, create an inventory of all valuable household goods listing the item, brand, model, and serial number. Ensure the moving company includes your valuable items list on their inventory forms before you sign the sheet.

HHG Video & Pictures: It’s recommended to take videos or photos of valuable HHG items. Show that electronic items are functional and that other items are undamaged. State the date in videos or show the date in photos.

On Packing Day: Organize valuable items in one area and explain that all of those items must be listed on inventory sheets in order for you to sign the paperwork. List any damage done to your home or property during packing before signing the paperwork.

PRO TIP: Put all the items that you do not want packed in a separate bedroom or closet.

Arranging HHG Shipments

Members can personally move a portion of their HHG or mail some items to their overseas mailbox before arriving. Initiate a PPM shipment with your local TMO before packing or mailing your HHG. Upon arrival and receipt, submit postal receipts or weight tickets and your PPM documents with a copy of your PCS orders to TMO to initiate reimbursement. Your claims will not be submitted until all HHG/UB has been delivered. Total reimbursement will not exceed the Government Constructed Cost (GCC).

Special HHG Considerations:

  • Airmen in Dorms: Allotted 500 pounds for Unaccompanied Baggage (UB) OR 10% Household Goods Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR) weight allowance based on your rank.
  • Deferred Dependents: Orders must reflect delayed reporting of dependents with a physical address.
  • “All Others Tour”: Family members remaining in the U.S. may store or ship goods to a new location if the DoD member is authorized to move dependents from their losing duty station to new location on their orders.
  • Newlyweds: To ship from an additional location beyond a 50-mile radius of their losing duty station, a member’s orders must reflect their spouse’s physical address, or an amendment to the orders must be obtained to reflect the HHG pick-up location.

Service Member and/or Spouse Pro-Gear

Pro-gear is work-related equipment. It must be completely separated from the rest of your items so that they can be packed, marked, and weighed separately. These items are not included in the total weight of household goods. Service members are authorized: 2,000 lbs and spouses are authorized 500 lbs.

What is considered pro-gear?

Unaccompanied Baggage (UB)

This is an air freight shipment. Typically, UB items include smaller household electronics, kitchen appliances, and household goods required shortly upon arrival at the gaining duty station. UB shipments take approximately 6 weeks.

Suggested UB Packing List:

  • Kitchen: Dishes, pots/pans, silverware, cooking utensils, coffee pot, etc.
  • Bath: Towels, washcloths, shower curtains
  • Bed: Pillows, bedding, air mattresses, clothes, hangers
  • Other items: Area rugs, bicycles, dual-voltage electronics (e.g. smaller TVs), air purifiers, dehumidifiers (if moving in Summer months)
Osan Traffic Management Office (TMO)

Bldg 635
DSN 784.6019 | Commercial +82 (0) 505.784.6019

Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Sat & Sun: Closed

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