Will the Army still pay to ship my car months after I PCS?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 00:16:28 -0500

So I'm headed to Germany in a few weeks and I have read that the Army will pay to ship one vehicle overseas along with the rest of your belongings. Fortunately I do not have any belongings that I cannot take over with me on the plane. But the 1 of my 2 cars I would like to have sent over needs some repairs before this would be possible and I'd like to get my USAREU license before I bring it over anyway. So my question is if the Army will still pay to ship it even if its say, a few months after I PCS. Thanks in advance everyone.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 5 at 2019 12:56 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 00:56:23 -0500

You need to consult with JPPSO. Do your orders state the movememt of a vehicle and HHG? If you have not used the authorization, you should be able to do that. I think you were also getting orders amended for your spouse to join you.

The vehicle needing repairs has to be immaculate to ship it. No leaks. Pass agricultural inspection (no dirt). Options. Get your Squad Leader and go look at the lemon lot. Buy a German beater and avoid shipment. You can usually buy one fairly inexpensively and sell it before you PCS. Remember, getting a US spec car fixed in Germany is painful unless you are able to,do the work. Parts wil have to be shipped in, sometimes the PX auto store can help. Sometimes O'Rielly's or NAPA online. The car will get an inspection by the TUV and they will gig your vehicle. Leaks. Tire tread, exhaust. Brakes, belts. The Germans are anal about cars and maintenance.

You will likely need a Limited Power of Attorney for someone else to ship the vehicle for you at the VPC if you have already went forward. You'll need copies of orders to give them along with the VPC paperwork. If you owe on the car, sometimes your bank will have to provide a letter that they know the car is going overseas. JPPSO can help with the documentation list.

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Response by SSG Brian G. made Feb 5 at 2019 2:43 AM

SSG Brian G. — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 02:43:39 -0500

You can but honestly the hassle that you are going to go through to get the vehicle inspection ready to pass American customs and German customs is not going to be worth it. To ship it almost has to be factory new as in no leaks, everything in working order, no dirt, all testing and standards up to date.

The best thing for you to do is to store your vehicles with a close friend or relative that you trust and when you get in country, then look for a second hand vehicle there. There are tons out there. Twice while I was there we went to K-town and found one that was cheap and serviceable and used that. MUCH easier on the pocketbook and the nerves. When you are done with it, simply sell it and PCS. A LOT less hassle.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2019 7:45 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 07:45:02 -0500

They will ship a vehicle as long as you still have at least a year left on station.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2019 10:12 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 10:12:13 -0500

They will still cover the cost to ship your vehicle, but you will need to give someone a special power of attorney to do so. From my experience of shipping over my POV, shipping the vehicle to Germany isn't an issue. Just make sure it's in good working order, and doesn't have any recalls that haven't be resolved yet. The bigger issue you will face is when you try and ship the vehicle back to the US. The vehicle has to be spotless clean and in perfect working order. If you remember and have the ability to I'd recommend going through Ansbach to ship it back. I never talked with anyone that had their vehicle turned away that went to Ansbach.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Feb 5 at 2019 2:08 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 14:08:00 -0500

Not sure if it applies to you but this was just put out today:
https://www.stripes.com/news/usareur-allows-longer-registrations-for-older-cars-1.567366

USAREUR allows longer registrations for older cars

A new U.S. Army Europe policy means that owners of vehicles more than 10 years old can now register their cars every two years instead of annually.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Feb 5 at 2019 6:01 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 18:01:12 -0500

Please listen to all the comments regarding leaving it stateside and buying something there. They are all right.