PCS Storage Options: What the Government Pays For

Temporary Storage: The Basics

When your household goods are picked up, the government authorizes temporary storage in transit (SIT). JTR paragraph 0518-A sets one limit for everyone on PCS orders: 90 days. There is no shorter CONUS figure — the same 90 days applies whether your move is CONUS-to-CONUS or touches an OCONUS location. This storage is arranged through your moving company (the Transportation Service Provider, or TSP) as part of your government-arranged move. You don't pay separately for it — it's included in your move entitlement.

Those 90 days are cumulative. They can accrue at the origin, at the destination, or at any point in between, and they cannot start before the day your goods are released to the carrier. If you need more time, request an extension through your losing or gaining TMO before your authorized days expire: a Service-designated official may approve up to 90 additional days, which takes you to 180 days in total. The JTR names the qualifying reasons — serious illness of the member, serious illness or death of a dependent, a directed TDY after arrival, non-availability of suitable civilian housing or a residence still under construction, acts of God, and an impending assignment to government or privatized housing. Beyond 180 days it takes the Secretarial Process. Extensions are not automatic, and you are financially responsible for storage charges that accrue after your authorized time expires.

Storage at origin (your old duty station) draws from the same combined day limit described above — it isn't a separate additional allotment. It's commonly used when there's a gap between when you have to vacate and when the movers are scheduled.

Non-Temporary Storage (NTS): When You Can't Take Your Household Goods

Non-temporary storage is available when your assignment makes it impractical or impossible to take your household goods. The most common situations where NTS is authorized include:

• Unaccompanied OCONUS tours: If you're going to a remote assignment or a location where dependents aren't authorized, you can put your household goods in NTS rather than shipping them overseas
• Ship deployments and sea duty: Sailors on sea duty with no family at the gaining location often use NTS
• Remote or austere locations: Assignments where the location doesn't have facilities to accommodate full household goods shipment
• Dependents remaining at a different location: In certain situations where dependents remain at the old duty station, NTS may be authorized

NTS is stored at government expense for the duration of the assignment. When your tour ends and you PCS again, your household goods come out of NTS and ship to your next duty station. The key is that NTS must be established at the time of the PCS — you generally can't put goods into NTS months after you've already arrived at your new duty station.

Weight Limits for Storage

Storage — both temporary and NTS — is subject to the same weight allowances as your overall household goods shipment. You cannot store more weight than you're authorized to ship. Your weight allowance is determined by your pay grade and dependent status, and it doesn't increase because you're storing some items.

High-value items stored in either temporary or NTS are subject to standard replacement value claims processes if damaged or lost. Before putting items into long-term NTS, document and photograph everything carefully. Items in NTS for multiple years can develop condition issues even in climatecontrolled facilities — consider what's worth storing long-term versus selling before your move.

What's Not Covered in Government Storage

Not everything you own can go into government storage:

• Hazardous materials: No flammables, no propane tanks, no paint or solvents
• Perishables: Food items are not accepted in government storage
• Vehicles: Your personally owned vehicles are handled under a separate vehicle shipment entitlement
• Items exceeding value limits: Extremely high-value items like jewelry and art have special handling requirements and may need separate insurance coverage

The Storage Request Process

For temporary storage, the request happens automatically when you schedule your move through DPS (Defense Personal Property System). Tell your TSP coordinator when scheduling that you'll need storage at the destination, and they'll arrange it.

For NTS, the authorization must come from your orders or through a formal request approved by your branch's transportation authority. NTS is not something you can simply request at will — it must be authorized based on your assignment circumstances. Talk to your TMO early to determine if NTS applies to your situation.

Privately-Owned Storage: What You're Giving Up

Some service members choose to put items in their own private storage unit rather than using government storage. This is legally fine but comes at your own expense. Use your authorized storage entitlement first before spending your own money on private storage.

Tips for Avoiding Storage Problems

• Request extensions before your authorized SIT window closes — don't wait until the last day
• Keep copies of all storage receipts, inventory sheets, and authorization documents
• Verify the storage facility's address and contact information before your goods are delivered
• Check on NTS items at least annually if stored for multiple years — you have the right to inspect your goods
• When retrieving goods from NTS, give your new TMO ample notice — pulling goods out of long-term NTS and scheduling delivery can take several weeks

Related Articles

• Weight allowances by rank, and what going over costs — Understanding your allowance helps you decide what to store vs. ship
• OCONUS PCS Move Guide — NTS is commonly used for OCONUS moves where certain items can't go overseas
• DITY Move vs. Government Move — How storage decisions interact with your move type choice
• PCS Move Checklist — Storage logistics fit into your move timeline