Quick answer: Before the movers arrive, photograph or video your high-value items and furniture, serial numbers included. Read every inventory sheet before you sign, and check items off the list at delivery. If something is lost or broken, give notice within 180 days of delivery, then file the itemized claim in DPS within 12 months (shipments picked up on or after May 15, 2026) or 9 months (picked up before then).
Four homes since 2014 (Utah, Hawaii, South Carolina, and now Virginia) taught us that the movers’ inventory is the document that matters. Every damage or loss claim is checked against it.
Before pack-out day
- Photograph or video high-value items and furniture, including serial numbers on electronics.
- Save receipts for anything expensive, or a screenshot of the order.
- Set aside what won’t go on the truck: orders, IDs, passports, birth certificates, medical and school records go in the hand-carry bag. Our PCS moving supplies post covers the bags and files we use.
On pack-out day
- Read the inventory sheets before you sign. Make sure each piece of furniture’s condition is described accurately. If a sheet says “scratched” and it isn’t, say so before you sign.
- Photograph each room after it’s packed, then the empty house.
On delivery day
- Check items off the inventory as they come in, using the inventory numbers.
- Note anything missing or damaged before you sign. The delivery crew gives you a Notification of Loss and Damage at Delivery form; check that the moving company’s contact details are on it.
If something is lost or damaged: the deadlines
| Step | Deadline | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Notice of loss or damage | 180 days from delivery | At-delivery form, or DPS: “Start My Loss & Damage Report” |
| Itemized claim, full replacement value | 12 months from delivery (picked up on or after May 15, 2026); 9 months (picked up before) | DPS, Claims tab |
| Moving company confirms it got your claim | Within 15 days | DPS or email |
| Offer, payment or denial | 30 days for claims of $1,000 or less; 60 days for claims over $1,000 | DPS or email |
The notice only needs each item’s name, inventory number and a short description of the damage. You can send more than one notice within the 180 days if you find more later. For the claim itself, gather the manufacturer, model, purchase cost and year, photos, and a repair estimate if you have one. You can counteroffer if an offer seems too low.
These deadlines come from Military OneSource’s guide to military moving claims. Confirm them with your transportation office before you rely on them, since claim rules have changed twice since 2020.
Every step from orders to arrival is on our free PCS checklist. Moving to Hawaii? Start with our PCS to Hawaii guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to report PCS damage?
You have 180 calendar days from your delivery date to give the moving company a written notice of loss or damage, either on the form the delivery crew gives you or in DPS under Start My Loss & Damage Report. That 180-day window applies to household goods picked up on or after May 15, 2020. You can send more than one notice within the 180 days.
How long do I have to file a PCS moving claim?
If your shipment was picked up on or after May 15, 2026, you have up to 12 months from delivery to file the itemized claim in DPS. Shipments picked up before May 15, 2026 keep the 9-month deadline. File late and you're only eligible for depreciated value, not full replacement value.
Is the notice of loss the same as filing a claim?
No. The notice just names each item, its inventory number and the damage. You still have to file an itemized claim in DPS to be paid.
What should I photograph before a PCS pack-out?
High-value items and furniture, including serial numbers, then each room after it's packed and the empty house. Before-and-after photos and receipts make a claim much easier.
What does full replacement value mean on a military move?
Household goods on a military move are covered at full replacement or repair value at no cost to you. If an item is lost or destroyed, the moving company pays the lesser of the replacement or repair cost, and it can ask for proof of the item's value.
