Household Goods

To help customers access moving resources more easily, Move.mil has moved to the Military OneSource website. Now, moving resources from the Defense Personal Property Program and Military OneSource are available on the Military OneSource website.

Visit the Moving Your Personal Property page on MilitaryOneSource.mil for comprehensive moving information, resources and services. Access content from the former Move.mil website, including moving guides and tips, videos and FAQs, entitlement brochures, household goods shipment logistics, DPS log in and more. There are also links for retiring and separating members, specific service branch information and comprehensive relocation assistance.

As soon as you receive your permanent change of station orders, it’s important to begin scheduling your move. The Defense Personal Property System, or DPS, is the online system you can use to request and manage your household goods shipment(s). For more information and a DPS log in link, visit the Moving Your Personal Property page on MilitaryOneSource.mil.

Read Preparing for Your PCS Move to learn more about coordinating your shipment and review the Personal Property Quick Reference Guide for actions you can take to ensure a smooth move.

Learn more about Your OCONUS Move: Planning, Resources and Tips. Begin to plan what items will go in unaccompanied baggage, in your household goods shipment and in long-term, Non-Temporary Storage, or NTS, storage – check with your sponsor or overseas housing office to assist in determining what items to ship.

Moving with your pet includes researching airline requirements and quarantine restriction laws in your new location. Many airlines have requirements for size, weight, breed, number of animals, kennel construction, documentation and seasonal limitations. Small pets may be shipped on military flights, but availability and regulations frequently change. Contact your installation household goods/transportation office to request specific country instructions. Military OneSource can make your move easier with helpful tips, resources and hands-on information related to moving with pets and more.

Installation-Specific Information

As soon as you receive your orders, go to the nearest Personal Property Processing Office to request household goods, unaccompanied baggage and privately owned vehicle shipment at government expense.

Weight Allowance

Army, Navy and Air Force personnel assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and Brussels are entitled to the full Joint Travel Regulation weight allowance if they are authorized an accompanied tour (with dependents) or if they are E-7 and above even unaccompanied (without dependents).

Single/unaccompanied E-6 and below are limited to HHG transportation of 2,500 pounds or 25% net of the full weight allowance, whichever is greater. This weight includes UB regardless of tour length.

Important Facts

No Storage

There is no storage at government expense in Belgium. There is no long-term storage in Belgium authorized for HHG shipped in excess of what will fit.

Privately Owned Vehicle

All personnel are authorized one tax-free registered vehicle. Registration is annual and cost is based on the engine size. All vehicles older than four years must go through an annual technical control. Estimated cost is $50 per year.

Motorcycles and Mopeds

Should be shipped as part of the HHG shipment. They must meet Belgian technical control requirements and be registered annually. Registration and road tax depend on the engine size.

TV and Electronics

Armed Forces Network broadcasts around Brussels and SHAPE may be received by U.S. television sets, but access is limited to certain areas. Multisystem or European consoles are required for local cable and satellite.

All electrical sources are 220-240 volt, 50 hertz. Ensure electrical appliances conform or are dual voltage/frequency.

Furniture

Government and economy living quarters are generally smaller than those in CONUS.

Narrow doorways and tight stairwells cannot accommodate furniture that would fit easily into an American home. Service members shipping large items such as king/queen-sized box springs and mattresses, oversized sofas, or other large furniture items that cannot be disassembled, may encounter problems. Washers, dryers, refrigerators and wardrobes may be borrowed for the duration of the entire tour. 

Restricted

• Pets need to be identifiable (tattoo or an electronic identification system), vaccinated against rabies and have a health certificate
• Powdered milk for babies, food for children and special medical food (including pet food) may be allowed if they don't need to be refrigerated prior opening and that it is brand packaged food, and the packaging has original seal and its quantity must not exceed the weight of 2 kilograms
• Currency declarable for all traveling outside the European Union when the amount exceeds 10.000 euro or equivalent in another currency
• Coats, fur and leather shoes made of protected animals will need special authorization
• 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250 grams smoking tobacco for personal use

Prohibited

• Firearms and any weapon that may be used for offending a person
• Meat and milk and any items thereof
• Protected species and products thereof for example ivory, tortoiseshell, coral, reptile skin, wood from Amazonian forests
• Alcoholic beverages

Separatees and Retirees Entitlements and limitations 

Personnel contemplating retirement, separation or relocating dependents to Belgium should be counseled that all customs entry requirements to include payment of duties and taxes remain the responsibility of the member and is a personal matter between the member and the government of Belgium. Separatees and retirees have to custom clear their personal property.

For more specific information pertaining to personal property shipments, refer to the PCS & Military Moves page.