Military Auto Transport (PCS Move) — A Complete Guide

Military auto transport (commonly called "POV shipping" for Privately Owned Vehicle) covers vehicle relocation during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move. The Department of Defense reimburses one POV shipment for OCONUS moves and provides a mileage allowance for CONUS moves. Process and timing differ from civilian shipping in important ways.

CONUS vs. OCONUS

CONUS (Continental US) PCS: the DoD doesn't typically pay for vehicle shipping for in-CONUS moves. Service members are paid a per-mile mileage allowance to drive the vehicle themselves. If you choose to ship instead of drive, you pay the difference between the carrier cost and your mileage reimbursement out of pocket.

OCONUS (Outside Continental US) PCS: the DoD pays for one POV shipment to/from the OCONUS duty station. You arrange transport through an authorized vendor; payment goes directly to the vendor. Vehicle ships via ocean freight (RoRo or container) to the destination port, where you pick it up after arriving at the new duty station.

OCONUS process step by step

1. Receive PCS orders. Orders document the move and authorize POV shipment if applicable.
2. Visit your installation's Personal Property Office (PPO). They confirm POV shipment authorization and provide vendor information.
3. Schedule shipment via the DoD's Vehicle Processing Center (VPC). Each region has designated VPCs that accept vehicles for OCONUS shipping. You drop off your vehicle at the VPC; they handle ocean freight.
4. Domestic transport to VPC. If the VPC isn't local, you can ship the vehicle from your home to the VPC via standard auto transport. Citadel handles VPC drop-offs as part of standard military shipments.
5. Ocean transit. Vehicle ships to destination-country VPC. Transit varies by destination — typically 4–8 weeks.
6. VPC pickup at destination. Service member picks up vehicle from destination VPC. Some destinations offer destination delivery to your residence; others require VPC pickup.

Common OCONUS destinations

• Germany / Italy / UK: high-volume European theater destinations. Bremerhaven and Vlissingen are common destination VPCs.
• Japan / Korea: Pacific theater. Yokohama and Busan VPCs.
• Hawaii / Alaska / Guam: CONUS-equivalent for shipping purposes — DoD covers POV shipment though these are non-CONUS.
• Middle East: rare for POV given operational tempo, but possible to designated bases.

What Citadel handles for military families

• Domestic transport from your residence to VPC (or VPC to new residence at destination, where applicable).
• Coordination with PCS timeline — pickup and delivery windows aligned to your move dates.
• Documentation support: condition reports, photo records, bill of lading copies for your records.
• Standard cargo coverage during the domestic leg. International leg coverage is provided through DoD-contracted ocean carriers.
• Civilian-paid international shipping for second vehicles, household effects coordination, and OCONUS service members shipping vehicles outside the standard DoD entitlement.

What you should know about timing

1. Drop off at VPC 30–60 days before your departure date. Ocean transit takes 4–8 weeks; you want the vehicle to arrive close to when you do, not weeks before or after.
2. Don't ship right before peak season. Summer PCS season (June–August) clogs VPCs and ocean freight. If your timeline is flexible, shoulder season (April or September) moves faster.
3. Plan for 1–3 weeks at destination without your vehicle. Even with perfect timing, customs and destination-VPC processing can add a week. Have a transportation plan for those days.
4. Document everything. The PPO process generates paperwork; keep copies. The civilian transport leg generates a bill of lading; keep that too. Insurance claims later depend on documentation now.

What documentation to bring to the VPC

• PCS orders (original or printed copy)
• Vehicle title (original)
• Vehicle registration (current)
• Driver's license
• Lien-holder authorization letter, if vehicle is financed
• POA (Power of Attorney) if a spouse or representative is dropping off the vehicle on your behalf

Citadel works with active-duty service members across all branches on PCS shipments. We coordinate with your PPO timeline, get the vehicle to the right VPC on time, and document everything for the DoD's reimbursement records.