PERSONAL PROPERTY

The provisions of this section apply to personal property shipments moving into the CTUS at Government expense or under Government sponsorship, for the personnel indicated below. No distinction is made of whether they are returning to the

United States from extended duty overseas or are being transferred from one overseas station to another.

1. DOD military and civilian personnel and members of their families.

2. DOD-sponsored or directed individuals.

3. Employees of nonappropriated fund agencies that are integral parts of the military services and members of their families.

The duty-free exemption provisions of DOD 5030.49-R do not apply to employees of the American National Red Cross, contractors employed by the U.S. Government, or employees of military banking facilities unless such persons are returning to the CTUS under evacuation orders or instructions.

Household Goods and Unaccompanied Baggage

When used in this section, the following terms and definitions apply:

Shipment: All articles, items, and containers of baggage, household goods, privately owned vehicles, and other personal property shipped by or for one individual at one time.

Outer Container: The outermost container in which personal property is placed for transportation from the place of inspection under these regulations. This term includes such containers as commercial sea vans; CONEX cargo transporters or other transocean cargo transporters; and cases, crates, and barrels not placed in a cargo transporter at either an overseas inspection point or at the overseas port of embarkation.

Evidence of Extended Duty

Personnel are considered to have served on extended duty overseas as evidenced by any of the following situations:

1. Orders directing the return to the CTUS of a member who has been serving overseas in a permanent duty capacity, regardless of the duration of the individual's overseas service.

2. Orders directing the return to the CTUS of a member who has served overseas in a temporary capacity for 140 days or more.

3. Orders directing the return to the CTUS of a member who was directed to proceed overseas under orders that indicated an intention that he or she should serve at least 140 days overseas.

4. Orders directing the transfer of a member from one overseas activity to another overseas activity if the individual requests and if his or her commanding officer approves the return of personal property to the CTUS.

5. Orders directing the evacuation of any person, including but not limited to a member or the member's family, from overseas to the CTUS.

6. Orders directing the return to the CTUS under emergency conditions of the personal property of a member or a member's family in advance of the issuance of travel orders directing the individual's return to the CTUS.

7. Orders authorizing shipment to the CTUS of personal property effects of deceased persons who were serving overseas under DOD orders at the time of death, or of persons whose personal property and effects are to be shipped to the CTUS pursuant to the Missing Persons Act (37 U.S.C. 554).

8. Written command approval authorizing shipment to the CTUS of personal property of a member in advance of the issuance of travel orders. This approval must be accompanied by a written agreement executed by the member indicating shipment is made pending issuance of PCS orders.

9. A crewmember who has served continuously on a U.S. Navy vessel or support vessel while the vessel has been, or was intended to be, deployed for 120 days or more outside the CTUS. This also includes a member of a command or aircraft crew serving aboard such a vessel.

Duty-free Exemption Authority

Duty-free entry of personal property is authorized under those regulations listed in DOD 5030.49-R. This exemption applies to items taken out of the CTUS by the owner and to items acquired overseas that are for the owner's personal use or are intended as gifts for others. It does not apply to articles taken or shipped to the CTUS as an accommodation for others, or for sale, barter, or exchange. Articles acquired overseas must be in the member's direct personal possession prior to shipment to the CTUS to be authorized duty-free entry.

Personal property shipped or brought to the CTUS without competent orders or other evidence of extended duty is not inspected overseas unless an exception is specifically granted in advance by U.S. Customs. This also applies to baggage and other personal property of persons returning to the CTUS who are not directly connected with the performance of Government service even though such persons or property are permitted to move in Government conveyances or at Government expense.

Shipments Not Entitled to Duty-free Entry

Shipments by individuals not entitled to duty-free entry of personal property and not returning from extended overseas duty are handled according to the following procedures:

1. Military customs inspections and examinations and U.S. Customs clearance procedures will be accomplished as prescribed earlier under the duty-free entry limitations section.

2. DD Form 1253 or 1253-1 is used and marked "Shipment Requires U.S. Customs Inspection."

3. Shipment will be palletized separately, if feasible, from those shipments cleared through use of US Customs Declaration for Personal Property Shipments, DD Form 1252, (fig. 13-9).

4. When required, the Transportation Control and Movement Document, DD Form 1384-2 (fig. 13-10) is prepared for each single and multiple shipment in accordance with DOD 4500.32-R.

5. The member will be instructed to prepare a Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles, Customs Form 3299 (fig. 13-11). This form may be completed overseas and made part of the shipment documentation, or it may be provided by the member directly to U.S. Customs at the U.S. port of entry.

Locked Containers

Locked containers may be inspected by U.S. Customs officials upon arrival at the U.S. port of entry. If keys for such containers are not available, the container may be opened by forcing the locks or by other appropriate means. This must be completed in the presence of a U.S. Customs official, and under the direct supervision of a commissioned officer, warrant officer, noncommissioned officer in pay grade E-5 or above, or DOD civilian of grade GS-7 or above. After examination, such containers are securely strapped or banded.

Restricted/Prohibited Articles

Under the laws and regulations administered by various U.S. Government agencies, certain articles are prohibited importation into the CTUS or are restricted importation. These articles are admissible only under

Figure 13-9.-US Customs Declaration for Personal Property Shipments, DD Form 1252. 13-14

Figure 13-10.

Figure 13-11.-Declaration of Free Entry of Unaccompanied Baggage, Customs Form 3299.

certain specific conditions or in prescribed quantities. Such laws and regulations are for the protection of public health and plant and animal life in the United States. The prohibited articles are listed in DOD 5030.49-R.