Moving Storage During International PCS 2026: NTS, Storage-in-Transit (SIT), JTR Table 5-37 Weight Allowance, Accessing Stored Goods OCONUS

By Mustafa Bilgic · Last updated Tuesday, May 26, 2026 · ~12 min read

An international military Permanent Change of Station (PCS) tour creates a unique storage problem: the servicemember and family are moving to a place where US-style furniture, electrical appliances, and full household goods aren't always appropriate or even physically permitted. The Department of Defense addresses this through two distinct storage programs — Non-Temporary Storage (NTS) for goods kept long-term in the US during the OCONUS tour, and Storage-in-Transit (SIT) for short-term storage during the move itself. This guide walks through the JTR Table 5-37 weight allowances, the NTS vs SIT distinction, how to access stored goods during a multi-year OCONUS tour, and the cost and process to the servicemember.

Source data includes the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) current as of May 2026, the Defense Personal Property Program (DP3) operations manual, the Department of Defense Defense Transportation Regulation Part IV (Personal Property), and direct interviews with two Transportation Management Office (TMO) personnel during early 2026.

1. NTS vs SIT: The Critical Distinction

2. JTR Table 5-37: Household Goods Weight Allowances (2026)

Additional authorizations beyond the table:

• Professional gear ("Pro Gear") — books, papers, and equipment for the servicemember's profession; no weight limit but must be itemized and pre-approved
• Spousal pro gear — books, papers, and equipment for the spouse's profession; capped at 500 lbs
• Consumable goods for hardship locations — additional allowances for hard-to-source goods at hardship OCONUS locations
• POV (Privately Owned Vehicle) — one POV at government expense to OCONUS for non-tour-extending PCS

3. The OCONUS Split: Ship vs Store Decision

For most OCONUS tours, the servicemember splits their household goods:

• Goods shipping to OCONUS: Items needed during the tour. Includes clothing, personal items, smaller electronics, dishes for daily use, key books and personal items. Typically 25-50% of total household goods weight. Subject to OCONUS-specific restrictions on electrical appliances (120V vs 220V), furniture (cultural-specific items often available cheaply at destination), and HAZMAT.
• Goods staying in NTS: Items not needed during the tour. Typically furniture (especially items that would not fit overseas housing), seasonal clothing, holiday decorations, sports equipment for activities not available overseas, collectibles, photo albums. 50-75% of total household goods weight is common.
• Unaccompanied Baggage (UB): Up to 1,000 lbs of essential items shipped via air to arrive at OCONUS before the household goods ocean shipment. Typically includes immediate-need items: clothing, bedding, kitchen basics, toys for children.

4. The NTS Pack-Out Process

1. Receive PCS orders. Includes OCONUS designation and reporting date.
2. Visit local Transportation Management Office (TMO). Begin the move counseling process.
3. Submit shipping application via DPS (Defense Personal Property System). Select NTS as one of the shipment types.
4. TMO assigns contractor. A specific moving and storage contractor is matched to the requirement.
5. Pre-pack survey. Contractor visits the home, estimates weight, identifies any restricted items.
6. Pack-out day. Movers pack and load items. Servicemember signs the bill of lading and itemized inventory.
7. Transport to NTS warehouse. Goods are transported, weighed, and stored.
8. Goods sit in NTS for tour duration. Servicemember can access if needed.
9. End-of-tour notification. Servicemember alerts TMO of upcoming PCS.
10. Delivery to next duty station. Goods are released, packed, transported, delivered.

5. Accessing NTS Goods During OCONUS Tour

The servicemember can request access to NTS goods through DPS or the local Personal Property Office. Common reasons:

• Retrieve seasonal clothing or sports equipment
• Retrieve household items needed in a sudden emergency
• Retrieve items for a temporary stateside trip
• Retrieve replacements when items shipped to OCONUS are damaged or lost

Process: submit request through DPS; once approved, schedule with the NTS contractor warehouse; pay any contractor handling fee (usually $50-$185 per visit). Each access visit may be limited to one or two pieces of furniture or several boxes. Full access (removing many items) typically requires terminating the NTS entitlement for that portion.

6. Items Prohibited in NTS Storage

• HAZMAT — flammable, corrosive, explosive, oxidizing materials
• Most aerosols, paint thinner, propane, large lithium batteries
• Perishables — food, plants, alcohol over moderate quantities
• Live animals (pets are handled separately)
• Live ammunition over limited quantities
• Hazardous chemicals — pool chemicals, lawn fertilizers
• Drugs and pharmaceuticals over personal use quantities
• Currency, securities, jewelry over reasonable amounts (use safe deposit box)
• Items requiring climate control beyond standard warehouse conditions (specialized art, antiques)

7. SIT (Storage-in-Transit) Use Cases

SIT is used when goods arrive at the destination before the servicemember can take delivery. Common scenarios:

• Awaiting government housing assignment. Goods arrive at destination port; servicemember not yet assigned quarters.
• Awaiting lease signing. Off-base housing not yet finalized.
• Family arriving later. Servicemember arrives alone; family follows in 30-90 days.
• Reverse situation: Goods leaving origin before flight or before family departs.

Default 90 days each at origin and destination. Extensions beyond 90 days require command approval and may incur servicemember-paid extension fees.

8. Cost to the Servicemember

9. Worked Example: E-7 With Family PCS to Germany

SFC Martinez and family (spouse + 2 children) are PCSing from Fort Bragg, NC to Wiesbaden, Germany for a 3-year tour. Family has 11,200 lbs of household goods total.

10. Worked Example: O-4 With Family PCS to Japan

LCDR Park and family (spouse + 3 children) are PCSing from San Diego to Yokosuka, Japan for a 3-year tour. Family has 15,800 lbs of household goods.

11. Insurance: Full Replacement Value Protection

The Defense Personal Property Program provides default Full Replacement Value (FRV) protection of $6.00 per pound per article up to a $50,000 maximum per shipment. For high-value items (art, jewelry, collectibles) that exceed this default, the servicemember should:

• Itemize and schedule those items at full appraised value before the pack-out
• Provide appraisals, receipts, or photos as evidence of value
• Consider supplemental fine art transit insurance for art and antiques over $25,000
• For irreplaceable items, transport them personally where possible (carry-on or hand baggage)

12. The Decision Process: How to Optimize Your Storage Allocation

1. Estimate total household goods weight (TMO can help)
2. Confirm OCONUS housing type — government quarters (often furnished) vs off-base rental (you supply furniture)
3. Identify electrical appliance compatibility issues (US 120V vs Europe/Asia 220V)
4. List items needed during the OCONUS tour (ship)
5. List items to keep but not needed overseas (NTS)
6. List items to dispose of, sell, or give away before pack-out
7. Confirm total weight is within JTR Table 5-37 allowance
8. Coordinate with the spouse on what comes vs stays
9. Coordinate with TMO on pack-out scheduling
10. Document everything with photos and inventory lists

13. Frequently Asked Questions