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On this page 9 sections ↓
- Last substantive update
- Official source pages reviewed
- October 22, 2026
Editorial dates describe the recorded review, not a guarantee that policies are unchanged. Confirm current requirements with the official references.
Finding broken or missing belongings is frustrating, especially when you are still living out of suitcases. Start by preserving evidence and identifying the correct shipment process. A household goods claim, a privately contracted move, and damage to a shipped vehicle may require different channels.
This guide organizes the first actions for a government personal-property shipment. Confirm the process for your shipment with the transportation office or service claims office.
Document what you can see
Photograph the item, damage, carton, and inventory label. Write down the delivery date, inventory number, and a plain description of the problem. Compare your pickup photos and inventory with the condition at delivery.
If an item is missing, first check whether it was listed in another carton or shipment. Record that search so a later explanation is clear. Keep damaged packaging and items until the claims office or transportation provider tells you what may be discarded or repaired. If an item presents an immediate hazard, make the area safe and ask how to preserve evidence without keeping the hazard.
Distinguish notice from the itemized claim
Military OneSource's official claims guide (opens in a new tab) describes two separate actions: notifying the transportation provider of loss or damage and submitting an itemized claim seeking payment. Its current guide specifies a 180-calendar-day notice period from delivery and describes separate claim deadlines. Follow the guide's instructions for your shipment and confirm the applicable dates promptly; do not treat notice as a completed claim.
Write each deadline into your calendar with a reminder well before it. If you find conflicting dates or cannot access the shipment system, contact the transportation office and military claims office immediately. Keep a dated record of the problem and the instructions you receive.
Build one evidence row per item
| Record | What to capture |
|---|---|
| Shipment identification | Shipment reference and delivery date |
| Item identity | Inventory number, description, make and model |
| Condition | Before and after photographs |
| Ownership or value support | Receipt, prior documentation, or other requested evidence |
| Proposed resolution | Repair information or comparable replacement documentation |
| Correspondence | Submission confirmation, offers, questions, and responses |
This is a practical filing method. The official system and claims office determine what evidence is required.
Review offers carefully
Read the official guide's explanation of repair and replacement value. Do not assume every damaged item will generate a new-item cash payment. Ask the claims office to clarify an offer you do not understand before accepting a settlement.
If the moving company does not resolve the matter, use the service claims-office route identified in the official guidance. Save any transfer or escalation confirmation. Avoid posting claim documents publicly; inventories and receipts can reveal personal details.
Keep urgent household needs separate
A missing bed or unusable appliance can create an immediate problem even while a claim remains open. Ask the transportation office about the process for essential items and any applicable assistance. Record necessary temporary purchases, but do not assume they will be reimbursed.
For travel-related expenses, use a separate PCS reimbursement tracker. Mixing shipment claims and travel vouchers makes reconciliation harder.
Close the record deliberately
Save the final decision and payment evidence. Reconcile the amount received with the settlement, then mark unresolved items clearly. Good pickup preparation helps future claims, but a missing receipt should lead to a question about acceptable evidence rather than an assumption that you have no options.
Sources and references
- official claims guide (opens in a new tab) — reviewed October 22, 2026.
Plan the next step
Explore the Family Ops preview for a look at shared military-life planning. Family Ops is coming soon; use the official sources above for approvals and eligibility decisions.
Related reading
Official references for this guide · 1
Source review date: October 22, 2026
Mil Marketplace is an independent resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. military or Department of Defense. Planning suggestions are general information; confirm requirements, eligibility, and current procedures with the responsible official office.
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