Understanding Your PCS Weight Allowance and Limits
When a service member is being relocated for a timespan of longer than 20 weeks, this is considered a permanent change of station or PCS. These moves happen all the time and military service members are called upon to relocate to new assignments as frequently as once every couple of years.
If you or a member of your staff are going through a PCS, it’s important to understand your PCS weight allowance to make sure you stay compliant so you don’t have to pay any extra money out of pocket.
Moving is never an easy thing and the costs can quickly add up so it’s essential that you have a plan and you’re aware of everything involved. This guide will help you understand your military move weight limit.
Buying or Selling a Home?
Register Below for Your Cash Back Rebate Worth Thousands of Dollars After Closing!
(a benefit you are already entitled to)
What is Your PCS Weight Allowance?
A PCS weight allowance is the amount of pounds you can move when going through a permanent change of station. You’ll be provided with a predetermined allowance based on factors such as:
- Marital status
- Number of dependents
- Years of service
- Military grade
Everyone who is issued a PCS is eligible for the allowance and as soon as you receive the order you’ll want to go to your local transportation office to determine how much the allowance will add up to.
Knowing this as early as possible will give you time to plan and coordinate the move. If you’ve been living in the same place for a number of years, you may have accumulated a lot of stuff you won’t want to bring with you.
A DITY move calculator can help you determine how much the total cost of relocation will add up to. When handling the move yourself, you’re free to keep whatever portion of your allowance you don’t spend on the move so cutting costs and lowering your expenses is a great policy.
Military Weight Limits
The weight limit generally runs between 350 to 1800 pounds depending on various factors. For most, the military move weight limit can run up to 2,000 pounds for UAB.
Unaccompanied baggage includes household personal items you may need at your new station while you await the arrival of the rest of your things. These items include things like clothes, toiletries, and personal care items.
Military Move Weight Allowances by Grade
The chart below will help you understand your military moving weight allowance:
| Grade | PCS Without Dependents | PCS With Dependents |
| 0-10 | 18,000 | 18,000 |
| 0-9 | 18,000 | 18,000 |
| 0-8 | 18,000 | 18,000 |
| 0-7 | 18,000 | 18,000 |
| 0-6 | 18,000 | 18,000 |
| 0-5/W-5 | 16,000 | 17,500 |
| 0-4/W-4 | 14,000 | 17,000 |
| 0-3/W-3 | 13,000 | 14,500 |
| 0-2/W-2 | 12,500 | 13,500 |
| 0-1/W-1/Service Academy Graduates | 10,000 | 12,000 |
| E-9 | 13,000 | 15,000 |
| E-8 | 12,000 | 14,000 |
| E-7 | 11,000 | 13,000 |
| E-6 | 8,000 | 11,000 |
| E-5 | 7,000 | 9,000 |
| E-4 | 7,000 | 8,000 |
| E-3 and Below | 5,000 | 8,000 |
| Aviation Cadets | 7,000 | 8,000 |
| Service Academy Cadets/Midshipmen | 350 TDY Weight Allowance |
Closing Tips
Keep in mind that these numbers may seem like a lot but your belongings will quickly add up to a lot of weight. These few final tips will help ensure you stay below your allowable weight.
- Figure out the total weight of each room
- Make sure to declutter as much as possible, get rid of anything you don’t need
- If you’re not active or reserve duty military and are moving as part of a relocation package, don’t be afraid to negotiate
- Understand that your PCS weight allowance can be split into multiple shipments
- Get a better overall handle on your move, by carefully working through a PCS move checklist to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.
Lastly, USAA used to provide services to military members and their families offering a rebate and assistance in hiring a realtor and finding a home in your new location. ARC offers the same program to help you with the entire relocation process from A to Z.
Note: ARC Relocation is a privately-run, 3rd-party business, and is not a military or government entity. The above article is for reference only.