Blog Post

Shipping a personally owned vehicle (POV) is surprisingly more affordable than one might expect. Moreover, for active duty service members, the added benefit exists of being able to ship your private car free of charge through US Military POV Shipping Ports.

The provisions for vehicle shipping vary depending on your branch of service, including the Navy, Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps. Army and Air Force personnel must ensure their privately owned vehicle (POV) arrives at least 30 days after departing for tours shorter than a year, and at least 90 days for tours exceeding a year. Marines and Navy personnel are eligible for free vehicle delivery through US Military POV Shipping Ports, provided they have at least one year of service remaining. To facilitate this process smoothly and officially, it’s advisable to complete the necessary U.S. Department of Defense forms.

Preparing the car for shipment

To ensure your vehicle receives approval for shipping, the first step is to contact the Transportation Management Office (TMO) or Transportation Officer (TO) to obtain the required documentation. Without this documentation, your vehicle will not be approved for shipping. Additionally, it’s important to review Part IV of the Defense Transportation Regulation to identify any specific requirements that may apply to your situation. The essential documents you’ll need include:

• A completed IAL Shipping Form.
• Valid state or government-issued ID as proof of identity.
• Proof of ownership, with the vehicle registered in your name.
• Three copies of the official shipping orders. If you plan to store the vehicle, include copies of the storage authorization form.
• For owned vehicles, a clear copy of the vehicle’s title, both front and back.
• For vehicles with a lien, a signed and notarized authorization letter from the lienholder permitting the vehicle’s exportation is required.
• For leased vehicles, a special authorization letter from the leasing company, signed and dated, is necessary to ship the vehicle out of the country.

By following these guidelines and ensuring you have all the required documents, you can facilitate the smooth approval and shipping of your vehicle.

Key shipping locations

• Atlanta: 3025 Sylvian Road, Atlanta, GA. 30354.
• San Diego: 11433 Woodside Ave, Santee, CA 92071.
• Charleston, S.C.: 3601 N. Meeting St., North Charleston, SC 29405.
• Baltimore: 17079 Midway Road, Odenton, MD 21113.
• Dallas: 957 Heinz Way, Grand Prairie, TX 75051.
• Los Angeles: 14611 S. Broadway St, Gardena, CA 90248.
• Seattle: 654 Milwaukee Ave. N, Algona, WA 98001.
• Norfolk, Va.: 1215 Executive Blvd, Chesapeake, VA 23320.
• St. Louis: 13918 St. Charles Rock Rd, Bridgeton, MO 63044.

Rules and Regulations

At Safe Car Hauling, we stand out as one of the select companies with vast experience in transporting Personally Owned Vehicles (POVs) both within the US and internationally, utilizing the facilities at US Military POV Shipping Ports. It’s crucial to understand that eligibility for POV transportation is contingent upon compliance with specific regulations:

• You must be an active member or a retiree of the designated forces, with retirees still eligible for POV shipping.
• Department of Defense (DOD) civilians with proper authorization orders are also eligible.
• You are entitled to ship one vehicle for personal use at government expense. Should you wish to ship an additional vehicle, please consult the transportation office, as this may incur certain duties.

This streamlined process ensures that those serving or associated with the military and DOD have access to reliable and efficient POV shipping services.

Vehicle Export Limitations

You’re permitted to export only self-propelled, wheeled motor vehicles, including vans, pickups, cars, station wagons, as well as motorcycles, scooters, and jeeps. While other types of vehicles might qualify, obtaining certification verifying the vehicle is intended for personal use is necessary. Low rider vehicles with modifications must maintain a minimum of 6 inches of ground clearance to avoid damage during loading and unloading processes.

Vehicles weighing up to 20 metric tons are eligible for shipping. For context, a ton is equivalent to 40 cubic feet. Keep this information handy for future reference. Typically, a car weighs between 9 and 15 metric tons. Be aware that exceeding the weight limit could result in additional fees.