[Request for Advance Decision Concerning Shipment of Household Goods]

The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) requested an advance decision concerning the indebtedness of one of its employees pursuant to the shipment of his household goods during a change of duty station. The employee had shipped his goods by Government bill of lading, and the employee stated that the carrier informed him that his shipment exceeded by 2000 pounds the Government's maximum weight limit. However, the Government was billed and paid the carrier for a shipment nearly 5000 pounds over the weight limit. The employee reimbursed the Government for the cost of shipping an extra 2000 pounds, claiming that he was only responsible for the lower weight quoted to him by the carrier. NBS sought repayment for the remainder of the actual shipment in excess of the weight limit; from this amount it was willing to deduct the cost of shipping any professional books included in the shipment, since these may be shipped at Government expense exclusive of the maximum weight limit. Implementing regulations for the transportation of household goods state that, if property shipped by Government bill of lading exceeds the weight allowable, the employee is liable for the charges applicable to the excess weight. These regulations have the force and effect of law and may not be waived or modified by the employing agency or GAO regardless of any extenuating circumstances. Accordingly, the employee is responsible for repaying the expense of the excess weight shipped. Further, the employee's indebtedness may not be reduced by the cost of transporting any professional books and papers included in the shipment unless he submits an itemized inventory of the books and obtains the administrative certification required by the applicable regulations.