Does the Military Ship Your Car for Free?

July 11, 2023

Efficient and Cost-Effective Vehicle Shipping with the Military


According to recent estimates, around 3 million Americans presently reside abroad.

Moving abroad might be intimidating and stressful, but it doesn't have to be. When migrating, one of the most important issues is how to transport your automobile from your present residence to your new residence.

Shipping your automobile overseas is an excellent alternative since it allows you to maintain your car as well as the flexibility and independence it brings.

Did you know that the United States military offers auto shipping services to relocate vehicles from one area to another? Furthermore, the military discount for shipping a car may save you money.

Understanding how the military can ship your car will help save you time, money, and stress. Read on to learn more about such a service, how it works, and what it costs.


Will the Military Ship Your Vehicle Abroad?

You may be allowed to employ automobile shipping for a military move whether you are a civilian or a veteran.

The SDDC (Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command) of the United States Military provides automobile shipping services. You must typically register and obtain an estimated delivery cost.

The availability of military automobile shipment is determined by the kind of vehicle and its location. Some vehicles may also be subject to customs inspection.


Is shipping paid for by the military?

The cost of shipping an automobile with military movers varies substantially based on the vehicle's size, origin, destination regions, and optional services like packing and loading.

Other considerations include the sorts of military vehicles used and the route of transportation.

When transporting a car with the military, additional expenditures such as gasoline, customs taxes, and inspection fees must be considered.

Furthermore, the cost of shipping an automobile may be influenced by the vehicle's size, the distance it must travel, and other considerations such as the time of year and any applicable discounts.

Additionally, the cost of cross-country car shipping can be even higher if the car needs to be serviced at the destination.

In some circumstances, the military will cover this cost via a car movers military discount; we've outlined that in the next section.


Is it possible for the military to ship your car for free?

If you are a uniformed military member or a civilian working for the Department of Defence, the government will transport your automobile for free.

Car shipping for military personnel is typically reserved for active members of the military who want to relocate overseas for a permanent change of station. To be eligible for free shipping, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Free shipping is usually for one car for personal use, and if you have more than one, you'll need to pay the additional cost to ship a second
  • The car must have license plates and have space to carry passengers
  • The vehicle weight should be less than 20 metric tons
  • You'll need documentation to prove you are the owner of the vehicle
  • You'll need documentation for any specific customer requirements to ship your car to a new country

When employing military vehicle shipping, always verify your destination country's regulations regarding private automobiles. Making this decision ahead of time will save you money and time.

Before arranging military shipping, you should be aware that there are two ways to do it.

To begin, you might select the PPM (personally procured move). This is the stage at which you plan everything privately and select an auto transport shipping firm that is suitable for you and your family.

That's useful if you want to work to certain dates to accommodate personal circumstances (for example, if you're relocating your children to a new school and need to relocate by a certain day).

After completing your long-distance car transportation move, the government will reimburse you for those shipping costs if you fit the military criteria for relocation expenses.


What Are the Different Kinds of Military Jargon?

When applying to transfer your automobile, you'll need to fill out certain papers. Occasionally, you'll come across some military jargon. So, here's a brief rundown of the lingo you could hear from auto shipping businesses and what it all means:

  • Military POV Shipping: POV stands for Privately Owned Vehicle
  • Military PCS Car Shipping: PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station
  • DoD: Department of Defence
  • PDS: Permanent Duty Station

If in doubt, contact our team for advice on what the terminology means. Our team specializes in military shipping and will be able to answer most of your shipping questions.


Will the Army pay to have my car moved?

Technically, the army does not pay for automobile transportation services while migrating overseas.

The cost is borne by the United States government. During a military transfer, that is typically the cost of a single privately owned car. In truth, it's a military discount on automobile shipments that, in certain cases, will pay the full cost.


Do the Armed Forces Move You for Free?

While you may be eligible for a military car transport discount, what about the rest of your relocation expenses? Does the military pay for these expenses?

When you move into the military, you will be given a relocation allowance. This will cover your moving charges, such as shipping items, storage fees, and travel expenses.

If you are on active duty and want to relocate, contact your transportation office as soon as possible to learn about your choices and financial assistance package. You might also ask whether they can assist you with shipping an automobile from one state to another as part of your relocation.


Steps to Arrange for the Military to Ship Your Vehicle

You can see that using the military to ship your automobile is an efficient and cost-effective solution to relocate your vehicle from one area to another. Before you decide to use the military shipping service, you must first grasp the automobile shipping process.

You've come to the correct site if you're looking for the finest auto-shipping business for military personnel. Visit this page to learn more about our military auto-shipping services and our simple booking process.



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