Transportation of Household Goods

A review was undertaken to ascertain whether the Department of Energy used the correct form when it charged an employee for the cost of shipping his household goods in excess of the maximum weight limitation of 11,000. The employee agreed that he should pay for the excess weight but disputed the method of calculation. He applied the carrier's higher rate per hundred weight for the first 11,000 pounds in determining the Government's share of the cost, rather than the lower charge per hundred weight for the total billed weight. In addition, the employee believed that he should be given credit for unpacking charges since none were incurred, this saved the Government money. Federal regulations for transporting the household effects of transferred employees at Government expense establish 11,000 pounds as the maximum weight of goods authorized to be transported. As the 11,000 pound weight limitation is statutory, no Government agency or employee has the authority to permit transportation in excess of the weight limitation. If property shipped by Government bill of lading exceeds the weight allowable, Federal regulations impose on the employee the charges applicable to the excess weight, computed from the total charges according to the ratio of excess weight to the total weight of the shipment. Accordingly, the employee was required to pay the total amount of charges properly computed.