Request for Reconsideration of Transportation Costs Claim

An individual requested reconsideration of a determination which denied his claim for reimbursement of excess transportation costs when he shipped his household goods from overseas at Government expense. Because the goods weighed several thousand pounds more than his authorized weight allowance, he requested an additional allowance based on the fact that some of his furnishings had been obtained at his own expense while he was overseas because they were not available on loan from the Government. He also requested another additional weight allowance because, while aboard, he married a German citizen, and her property had to be shipped to the United States. The claimant believed that the sudden sale of that property or its shipment at his own expense would have imposed an undue hardship on him. The Army granted an additional allowance for the goods which were not available to him abroad. However, the additional allowance for his wife's goods was not granted, and he was charged for the excess weight. The claimant cited, as authority for his request for excess weight allowances, two letters which had been issued by the Theater Support Command, Europe. GAO did not view those letters as binding on the Army and found that the Army considered the member's request under appropriate regulations and did not abuse its discretion in denying the request. Accordingly, the determination of the Claims Group was affirmed, and the collection of the charges for the excess weight should proceed.