Military F A Q
Where can I get important information about my military move?
When a military member processes out of their origin base they are given an “It’s Your Move” pamphlet. This informative handbook tells you everything you need to know to make your move the best it can be. It can be found here: http://www.transcom.mil/j5/pt/dtrpart4/dtr_part_iv_app_k_1.pdf
How can I track my move?
You can check the status of your shipment 24 hours a day by logging onto our web site.
Click here to go to our Shipment Tracking Form
Are there items that I cannot move?
Yes, there are a number of common household items that cannot be transported in your International shipment. You will be provided with a comprehensive list by your T.O., but here are some general categories: Aerosols, Flammables, Cleaning Agents, Perfume, Combustibles, Perishables, Plants, Ammunition, Paints, Building Materials, and Auto Parts.
Some other items are not covered under the transit protection: Jewelry, Coin or Stamp Collections, Stock Certificates, Rare Items, Currency, Important Documents.
I keep hearing that I need to give someone my contact phone numbers and my email address, who do I give that to, and why?
We want to be able to assist you quickly and efficiently when you need our help. By providing us with contact information you can be assured that we can find you while your move is in progress. We request the following information to better serve you:
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Origin Phone Number – please don’t disconnect the telephone until the end of the last day of loading.
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In-Transit Email Address
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In-Transit Contact Number - a number where we could leave word for you while you’re in transit.
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Destination Phone Number
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Destination Email Address
This is my first International relocation. How will my household goods be packed?
When the packing team arrives at your home, your personal belongings will be placed in appropriate cartons or containers. To protect your goods from damage, items will be individually wrapped in paper pads, or padded fabric, as needed. Made of shock-absorbing fiber, the paper pads are used exclusively for international relocations. The fabric pads serve as protection for fine surfaces during the move.
How will my shipment be loaded?
Once your shipment has been completely packed, it will be placed inside one or more containers, depending upon the weight of your shipment. The type of containers selected will depend on the mode of transportation, the size of your shipment and your destination. Your shipment can be loaded into one or more of the following:
Lift-vans
Steamship containers
Air containers
A lift-van is a wooden container with skids that is normally loaded by a forklift. Lined with water-resistant paper and caulked to prevent leakage, lift-vans might range in size from 185 to 210 cubic feet; the containers are supplied by steamship companies.
To transport small shipments by air, the most common containers used are tri-wall boxes. These are very large triple-layer corrugated cardboard boxes that range in size from five to 100 cubic feet.
I have some items that I am especially concerned about moving. How can I prepare them for the move?
In the moving industry, items having a value of more than $100 per pound are known as "articles of extraordinary value." All "articles of extraordinary value" in your shipment must be listed on the High-Value Inventory form which will be given to you by the Origin Agent’s Representative to complete. Although you might have other articles of extraordinary value, the following list should help you identify items that might fall under this classification: CD or DVD Collections (ALL CD’s or DVD’s must be packed in their original containers for transit), furs, art collections, crystal, figurines, antiques, Oriental rugs, precious stones or gems, china and silverware. In the event of a claim, any settlement involving an article of extraordinary value listed on the High-Value Inventory form is limited to the value of the article, not to exceed the declared value of the shipment, based upon the valuation program applicable to your shipment.
If an article of extraordinary value is not listed on the form it may be harder to prove its value should it become damaged. If you have items that you feel are of value exceeding the norm discuss these items with your origin agent and plan to fill out a High Value Inventory at the time of your move.
Also to protect yourself financially, take pictures of your furniture and valuables as proof of ownership in the event of loss or damage. In addition, photograph anything that might need to be disassembled for transit so the destination crew will know how to reassemble the items.
Do My Appliances Need Special Attention?
Most refrigerators, washers, dryers, and other electrical or mechanical appliances require special servicing to ensure safe transportation. Any moving parts such as motors on major appliances, washer drums, icemakers and the pickup arm on a phonograph should be securely fastened for shipment. Gas appliances need to be serviced and disconnected prior to your move.
It is the owner's responsibility to see that appliances are serviced for shipment before they are loaded on the van. Upon request and for an additional charge, a moving company will perform this service, using either its own qualified personnel or an authorized service company. For more information on servicing and cleaning appliances for moving, ask your Origin Agent for more information.
Can I move my houseplants?
Unfortunately, houseplants are not allowed in International shipments. Please make arrangements for someone to tend to your plants while you’re away or donate them to a friend, family member, or charity.
What about my pets?
Please visit with your Transportation Office when you set up your move to get tips on moving pets. If you know which commercial airline you’ll be flying they can be valuable sources of information as well. Please take into account the time of year you’ll be traveling when considering the special needs of your pets as some airlines cannot provide temperature controlled environments during transit.
I may need Temporary Storage. Is there anything I should know if my shipment is going into storage?
In most cases, you will not need to authorize Storage in Transit with your Traffic Office before the shipment is placed into storage. Most branches of the Military authorize it automatically.
Please do not put items in storage that you may need to access. Your goods will be stored in palletized storage vaults in a designated Cartwright agent’s warehouse. Your goods will not be accessible to you.
Each shipment will be placed into storage in a Government approved storage facility with minimal handling. In most instances the shipment will remain in the same crates in which it was transported.
How do I prepare my computer, Flat Screen TV, DVD, and stereo for the move?
Computers and printers require special care. Please refer to your “It’s Your Move” pamphlet for up to date information. Wires and cables need to be disconnected and a blank floppy disk may need to be inserted in your PC to protect the disk drive. Monitors and hardware should be wrapped similar to other home electronics. We recommend that you backup your system on to floppy disks and take them with you during the move.
Flat Screen Televisions and monitors need special care. Please contact your manufacturer for proper moving instructions.
Other types of personal entertainment equipment generally do quite well in transit. The best way to move electronic components is in their original cartons with the original packing materials. You can do this yourself but if you don't have these cartons, we will carefully pack everything in your entertainment center for you.
I am at my destination and would like my shipment to be delivered, whom do I contact?
You will want to contact your Transportation Office (Inbound Traffic) to make final delivery arrangements once you have obtained housing. Please call them and give them your delivery address, as well as any directions, or accessorial information they may need (i.e. Is there a long distance between the front of your residence where the truck would park and your front door? Is there ample room to safely park a tractor trailer unit?)
Why did the moving company give me so many days to pack and load my shipment? They could’ve been here for one full day rather than two, or three, half days.
Your shipment is assigned a certain number of days to pack and load based upon the total estimated weight. Due to scheduling conflicts and the number of other shipments, the mover is not always able to avail themselves of a truck and trailer unit when the packers are finished packing. This sometimes leads to delays of one, or more days. Remember that moving in the off season will lesson the likelihood that you will have to wait for such services.
My shipment is late. How do I file an Inconvenience Claim?
Your shipment must be past its RDD, or Required Delivery Date, and must be late due to Carrier liability in order to qualify for a delay claim. A delay claim is only paid for items actually presented with a receipt and only for items deemed necessities. Please contact Cartwright at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to discuss.
I experienced damage to my move, now what?
You must retain all items and packing materials that you are claiming. Please see instructions on our website or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.
You’ll also need to know which valuation program the military moved you under:
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Depreciated Value: If your move picked up prior to October 1, 2007 your shipment will be released at depreciated value, or 1.25/pound. Please find a DD Form 1844 here: (Need DD Form 1844)
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FRV – Full Replacement Value: If your move picked up after October 1, 2007 your shipment will be released at full value.
Click here for an online version of the DD Form 1844 Military Claims Form:
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DPS – FRV: If your shipment moved through the DPS program you must file through that web site: https://eta.sddc.army.mil/ETASSOPortal/default.aspx
