Executing a Personally Procured Move (PPM) from Hawaii to the mainland requires navigating ocean freight logistics, strict OCONUS (Outside Continental United States) weight allowances, and rigorous documentation. Here is exactly how to coordinate an outbound military PCS from Oahu while maintaining control of your household goods and maximizing your reimbursement.
1. Securing OCONUS PPM Approval
Hawaii is an OCONUS duty station, meaning a standard DITY move is handled differently than driving a rental truck across state lines.
Counseling is Mandatory: Before booking anything, schedule an appointment with your local Personal Property Office (PPO) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) or Schofield Barracks.
DD Form 2278: You must generate your Application for Do It Yourself Move and Counseling Checklist via the Defense Personal Property System (DPS). Do not ship anything before this form is approved.
Advance Operating Allowance (AOA): Because ocean freight involves high upfront costs, ask your counselor about securing an AOA, which can advance up to 60% of your estimated incentive payment.
2. Managing Ocean Freight and Containers
Unlike a stateside move, moving off Oahu means your items will cross the Pacific. You are responsible for booking the shipping container and arranging drayage (trucking the container to and from the port).
Container Sizes: Standard options are 20-foot and 40-foot shipping containers. Estimate your volume strictly based on your authorized weight allowance.
Port Drop-off: You will coordinate with ocean freight carriers at the Port of Honolulu.
Agriculture Inspections: All outbound shipments are subject to Hawaii Department of Agriculture inspections. Ensure all outdoor gear, tires, and equipment are thoroughly cleaned of red dirt and debris to avoid expensive delays at the port.
3. Mastering Weight Tickets in Hawaii
Your reimbursement depends entirely on certified weight tickets. Without them, your PPM claim will be denied.
Empty and Full Requirements: You must obtain certified empty and full weight tickets for the container and the truck transporting it.
Location: Identify certified scales near the Port of Honolulu or your specific origin point in Oahu.
Information Needed: Every ticket must legibly show your name, the scale location, the date, vehicle identification, and the weighmaster’s signature.
4. Shipping Your POV (Privately Owned Vehicle)
The government typically covers shipping one POV for OCONUS moves, handled outside your standard PPM allowance.
Sand Island VPC: You will drop your vehicle off at the Vehicle Processing Center (VPC) located at Sand Island.
Pre-Inspection Prep: The VPC has zero tolerance for dirt. The vehicle’s interior and exterior, especially the wheel wells and undercarriage, must be meticulously detailed. Have your fuel tank at exactly one-fourth full or less.
5. Maximizing Your Reimbursement Profit
To keep the profit from your PPM, track all deductible expenses rigorously. Authorized expenses reduce your taxable income on the move.
Keep Receipts For: Packing materials (boxes, tape, bubble wrap), hired labor for loading/unloading, rental equipment (dollies, blankets), and container transport fees.
Submission Window: You have 45 days after completing the move to submit your claim, which will include your DD-2278, DD-1351-2, weight tickets, and expense receipts.
Need Local Support? Ewa Moving Co. specializes in the logistical heavy lifting on Oahu. Whether you need professional packers to prep your items for the long ocean transit or expert labor to load your outbound shipping container, our Honolulu-based crew ensures your household goods are secured for the Pacific crossing.
