Key takeaways
- Start planning as soon as you have orders; book your car shipment around your report date.
- What the government covers depends on your orders and destination: ask your installation transportation office before booking.
- If you cannot be there at pickup or delivery, name a trusted person and tell us in advance.
- Keep receipts and your Bill of Lading in case you file for reimbursement.
Start with your orders
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves come with tight timelines. As soon as you have orders, note your report date and when you will leave your current home. Your car should arrive close to when you do, not weeks before or after.
Check what is covered
Whether the government ships or reimburses a privately owned vehicle depends on your orders and where you are going. Ask your installation's transportation office (TMO / PPPO) before you book, and keep every receipt. We provide the Bill of Lading and invoice you may need.
Timing your shipment
- Book 2 to 4 weeks before you need pickup, earlier during the summer PCS season.
- Allow a pickup window of a few days, then transit time based on distance (see transit times).
- If you are driving one car and shipping another, schedule pickup for after you have packed it out.
If you cannot be there
Deployments and overlapping report dates happen. Someone you trust (18 or older) can release the car at pickup and receive it at delivery. Tell your advisor who it is and give them a copy of the order details so they can inspect the car and sign the Bill of Lading for you.
What to have ready
- A copy of your orders (helpful for scheduling and any reimbursement).
- Your vehicle's year, make, model, and whether it runs.
- Exact pickup and delivery addresses and a phone number that works on both ends.
- The car prepared using our pickup checklist.
Overseas moves
Moves outside the continental US follow different rules for privately owned vehicles. Talk to your transportation office first; for shipping between US states, including to a port, get a free quote or see our military car shipping page.
Frequently asked questions
Does the military pay to ship my car on a PCS move?
It depends on your orders and destination. Ask your installation transportation office (TMO or PPPO) before booking, and keep your receipts and Bill of Lading.
Can someone else release my car for shipping?
Yes. A trusted person aged 18 or older can inspect the car with the driver and sign the Bill of Lading at pickup or delivery. Tell your advisor who it will be.
How early should I book car shipping for a PCS move?
Two to four weeks before pickup is a good target, earlier during the busy summer PCS season.
What vehicle transportation problems can the TS Fast Car Shipping Hotline help with?
Our Car Shipping Hotline, (888) 885-0991, is for anyone with a vehicle transportation or logistics problem anywhere in the United States: booking a car, SUV, truck, motorcycle or RV shipment, a carrier that cancelled or never showed up, an urgent or expedited pickup, a vehicle that does not run, a military PCS move, or a delayed delivery. Call and a specialist will help you work out the next step.
Does TS Fast Auto Logistics transport vehicles to every state?
Yes. We arrange door-to-door vehicle transport between any two US states, nationwide. Hawaii, Alaska, and commercial, oversized or very heavy vehicles are quoted individually. We transport vehicles only: we do not ship packages, parcels or household goods, and we are not a local tow or roadside assistance service.