[Relief From Liability for Excess Weight Charges for Shipment of Professional Documents and Equipment]

A decision was requested concerning whether a Bureau of Land Management employee may be relieved from liability for excess weight charges for the shipment of professional books, papers, and equipment. The agency authorized shipment of the employee's professional items not to exceed 1,700 pounds. After delivery, the employee was informed that the shipment's weight was in excess of 3,325 pounds, and he asked the agency to increase his weight allowance for shipment to 3,000 pounds based on the driver's estimate of the items' weight. The agency denied his request since the driver's estimate did not meet the requirement that the authorized items be weighed separately. GAO would not disturb the agency's determination and had no authority to relieve the employee from liability. Accordingly, the employee had a legal obligation to pay the excess charges, and collection action should be taken.