PCSing with your POV

by Airman 1st Class  Alexis C. Schultz
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

A permanent change of station from the Kaiserslautern Military Community can cause stress, especially with a privately owned vehicle. Follow these guidelines to successfully turn in your POV for shipment.

If shipment of your POV is not authorized for your next duty station and you wish to store the vehicle, an authorization letter signed by the Traffic Management Office is required. If shipment of a POV is authorized, no letter is required.

All POV’s must be cleaned in accordance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Regulations. The exterior and interior must be cleaned thoroughly, free of dirt, leaves, grass, seeds, insects, and food. The wheel well containing the spare tire often collects debris and should be checked. Remove all cleaning supplies, oils, flammables, weapons, alcohol, tobacco, personal items and household goods from the vehicle before turn-in.

If the vehicle does not meet inspection requirements, the vehicle will not be accepted for shipment. The inspector will identify all discrepancies and the shipper must correct them before the shipping process continues.

All POVs shipped to the United States are required to have a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Transportation label. Both labels are required by U.S. Customs to prove that the POV meets the applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

To schedule an inspection, make an appointment with the Vehicle Inspection and Registration office on Kapaun Air Station. Provide six copies of your orders and the vehicle registration. Power of attorney is required for customers acting on behalf of the POV owner. German license plates are not authorized for shipment back to the U.S. and should be turned in at this appointment.

The Vehicle Inspection and Registration office is located in building 2806 on Kapaun. They are open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. For more information, contact the Vehicle Inspection and Registration office at 489-7542.