Key takeaways
- Get a quote before orders are finalized — locks pricing without commitment.
- DITY reimbursement: ShipCargo invoices typically meet or beat the government rate.
- OCONUS moves: we handle the CONUS land leg; port handoff to international carrier.
- Pay-at-pickup protects military families from carrier no-shows.
Why PCS shipping is different
A PCS move comes with hard deadlines, unpredictable timing, household-goods coordination, and a budget that has to fit per-diem and DLA math. The shipping company that works for a snowbird heading to Florida in October may not be the right fit when you have a Tuesday report date in Fort Carson, your household goods arrive two weeks later, and your kids start school next Monday.
Timing around your orders
Get a quote as soon as you have a draft of your orders — you don't need final paperwork to lock pricing. The quoting tool returns a real, all-in number in under 60 seconds, and we can hold a flexible pickup window without charging anything up front.
Best practice: get a quote 21–30 days before your projected move date, book the carrier 10–14 days before pickup, and align pickup with when household goods leave so you're not without a vehicle while you're still packing.
DITY (PPM) vs. TMO-arranged moves
For a personally procured move (PPM, formerly DITY), you're handling the shipping yourself and getting reimbursed at the government rate. ShipCargo's pricing is typically at or below the government rate, and you keep the difference. We provide an itemized invoice for reimbursement paperwork.
For TMO-arranged moves, the government coordinates household goods, but POV shipping is often left to you. Compare against the GBL rate — in most cases, we're faster to dispatch and easier to schedule because we're not routing through a federal vendor.
OCONUS coordination
For overseas PCS, your POV usually goes through one of a handful of US ports — Seattle, Tacoma, Oakland, Long Beach, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Galveston — where it transfers to a roll-on/roll-off ferry. ShipCargo handles the CONUS land leg from your origin to the appropriate port and coordinates the port drop-off paperwork. The overseas leg goes through your installation's transportation office or a specialty international carrier.
How ShipCargo handles PCS
We coordinate with PCS timing on every shipment. Pay-at-pickup means you're not paying anything until the vehicle is at your new duty station. Most PCS dispatches happen in 1–3 days on Priority tier. More on our PCS service.
FAQ
Q: Can I book before my orders are finalized?
Yes. Get a flexible quote and confirm pickup once orders are firm. No charge until pickup.
Q: Is ShipCargo's price reimbursable under DITY?
Typically yes, and often below the government rate so you keep the difference.
Ready to lock in your rate?
Place your order in 60 seconds with zero upfront payment. We keep a card on file and only charge once the carrier picks up your vehicle.