Moving Your Belongings:
DPS & Property Shipment

The Defense Personal Property System (DPS) is your central hub for managing every aspect of your household goods shipment. Through DPS, you schedule your move, select pickup dates, track shipment progress, and file claims if anything goes wrong along the way.

To set up your DPS account, you will need your PCS orders, a Common Access Card (CAC) or DS Logon, and your personal contact information. Once registered, you can create shipment requests, upload your inventory, and communicate directly with your assigned Transportation Service Provider (TSP).

The military offers several types of shipments depending on your needs and circumstances. Knowing the differences helps you plan more effectively:

Household Goods (HHG)

This is the standard government-managed move. A Transportation Service Provider packs, loads, ships, and delivers your belongings. The military covers the cost up to your authorized weight allowance. You are responsible for being present during pickup and delivery to verify your inventory.

Unaccompanied Baggage (UB)

UB is a smaller, expedited shipment of essential items you need quickly at your new duty station — think kitchen basics, bedding, uniforms, and toiletries. This shipment typically arrives faster than your full HHG shipment and is counted against your total weight allowance.

Non-Temporary Storage (NTS)

NTS allows you to store items at government expense when you cannot take everything to your next location. This is common for overseas moves or when your new home has less space. The military typically covers up to 90 days, with extensions available based on your situation.

Every service member receives a weight allowance based on pay grade and dependency status. This allowance covers all shipments combined — HHG, UB, and NTS. Going over your authorized weight means you pay the excess transportation costs out of pocket, which can be significant.

A PPM — previously known as a Do-It-Yourself (DITY) move — puts you in the driver's seat. You arrange your own transportation, whether that means renting a truck, hiring a moving company on your own, or loading up your personal vehicle. The military reimburses you based on a percentage of what a government-managed move would have cost.

Many service members choose a partial PPM, combining a government shipment for larger items with a self-move for valuables or items they want to transport personally. This hybrid approach gives you flexibility while still taking advantage of government moving services.

A thorough pre-move inventory is your best protection against loss and damage claims. Before the movers arrive, photograph and document every room, high-value item, and anything with existing wear. This visual record is invaluable if you need to file a claim later.

Certain items cannot be shipped through the military's HHG program. These include hazardous materials (paint, propane tanks, cleaning chemicals), perishable food, ammunition, and personal documents that should travel with you. Your Transportation Office can provide a complete list of prohibited items.

Despite everyone's best efforts, damage and loss can happen during a move. If you discover missing or damaged items, you have 75 days from delivery to file a claim through DPS for full replacement value protection. After 75 days, you can still file for up to six years, but coverage drops to depreciated value.

When your shipment arrives, inspect every item carefully before signing the delivery paperwork. Note any visible damage directly on the inventory sheet. Take photographs of damaged items alongside the original pre-move photos for comparison. The more documentation you have, the stronger your claim.