Plan Ahead to Ensure a Smooth Move During Peak Season

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The peak season for arranging household goods moves is now in effect at Commander, Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers (COMFISCS) Personal Property Shipping Offices (PPSOs).

PPSOs handle approximately 25,400 inbound and outbound shipments during this time of year.

Personal property staff members emphasize the importance of planning early and thoroughly to ensure the stress-free movement of personal property. It is highly recommended that customers set up a move date as soon as possible upon receipt of permanent change of station (PCS) orders.

Moves will not be scheduled for pick-up on holidays and weekends. Follow the tips below to avoid incurring debts for government-directed moves and staying within authorized weight allowances.

*Dispose of unwanted articles. Shipping unneeded articles is needlessly expensive; shipping costs vary based on destination, region or country.

*Claim professional books, papers and equipment (PBP&E), also referred to as pro gear. Declare all PBP&E weight, even if estimate is within the weight allowance. Check to ensure the weight is reflected on the DD Form 1299 prior to pick-up. Separate the PBP&E before the transportation service provider (carrier) arrives, as they must mark and weigh the pro gear. Check the inventory form periodically to ensure the carrier annotates PBP&E accurately.

*Pay attention to weight estimates. Remember, weight estimates made by carriers or personal property counselors are not binding; they are for planning purposes only. Excess costs are based on the actual weight of unpacked and uncrated household goods and cannot be accurately determined until the shipment is packed, picked up and weighed at a certified scale.

*Request a reweigh if the pre-move survey estimate is more than the maximum allowance. If a shipment is picked up and exceeds the weight allowance, ask the destination PPO to reweigh the shipment. Reweighing the shipment will not cause any increase in excess cost.

*Overseas weight restricted areas: If moving to, from or between an administratively weight restricted area, ensure any additional weight allowances are approved before shipping. Contact the local PPO for more information.

For information concerning a move, customers may call toll free 1-800-444-7789, commercial (757) 443-1719, or DSN 646-1719 to speak to a personal property customer service representative.

COMFISCS provides an array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy and Joint operational units across all warfare enterprises.

COMFISCS is responsible for facilitating best business practices and efficiencies across the seven FISCs located in San Diego; Norfolk, Va.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Yokosuka, Japan; Pearl Harbor, Bremerton (Puget Sound), Wash.; and Sigonella, Italy; and for optimizing the performance of base supply functions and standardizing levels of service across 11 regions and 77 Navy installations.

COMFISCS comprises more than 7,500 military and civilian logistics professionals, operating as a single cohesive team providing global logistics services from nearly 135 locations worldwide.

A component of the Naval Supply Systems Command, headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa., COMFISCS is part of a worldwide logistics network of more than 25,000 military and civilian personnel providing combat capability through logistics.

For more news from Commander, Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers, visit www.navy.mil/local/comfisc/.